• What is the difference between an annual and a perennial plant?

An annual is a plant with a lifecycle of one year. It, therefore, must be replanted or reseeded every year. A perennial is a plant that grows from the same root system for at least three years, usually flowering and bearing seeds annually. A biennial is a plant with a life cycle of two years. Many biennials self-sow, giving the appearance of a perennial.

 

• Are there any shade trees that don’t produce a lot of litter?

There are several options for shade trees that don’t produce a lot of litter. These trees include Linden, Beech, Seedless Red Maples, American Elm (Dutch Elm resistant), Hackberry, and Gingko.

 

• What plants could I use for a hedge along a sidewalk? The planting area is in full sun and the plants would need to be resilient to some salt application in the winter.

Some shrubs that could work in that situation would be Privet, Barberry, or Yews.

 

• Are there any low maintenance rose bushes?

Due to the low maintenance needs of shrub roses, which are also called landscape roses, they can function in the landscape as a flowering shrub, mixed with conifers, perennials and annuals. These shrub roses have many of the same benefits as traditional roses without the level of care that has typically been required.