Four Widely-Adapted Plants for Your Yard

Nature has a bounty of plants to choose from, but you have to narrow down your choices that seem to work best for you and the place you live in. The plants I am going to discuss here are suitable for wide geographic areas and growing conditions. Plants’ resistance to weeds, pests and diseases and requirement for less time in pruning are also important factors while choosing a plant.

Aristocrat Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Aristocrat’)

General: It is a small, sturdy shady, bearing white flowers tree attracting birds like robins which eat the fruit. It forms neat, upright, pyramidal form and its flowers appear in early spring, normally before the leaves emerge. Fall color may be red, orange or yellow. There is a brown fruit which requires cleaning up but can provide food to wildlife.

Size: Its height goes to 40 feet and it spreads proportionally narrower than that.

USDA Plant hardiness Zones: 5 to 8

AHS Zones: 8 to 2

Site: Facing full sun, with good drainage.

Pest and disease prevention: It is generally resistant to pest and diseases but fire blight can be contracted, which can be avoided by pruning for good air circulation. Young tree needs to be protected from deer.

Japanese Kerria (Kerria Japonica)

General: It has bright yellow flowers blooming in spring, having arching green branches which bear color throughout the year, forming a loose mound. It can be used for massing and borders. It grows in wide range of soil pH and can be used in full sun as long as it is in a site protected from wind.

Size: its height and width both go to 5 feet.

USDA Plant hardiness Zones: 5 to 9

AHS Zones: 9 to 1

Site: It requires humusy, well-drained, moist soil. It grows in partial to full shade.

Pest and disease prevention: There is no serious problem of diseases or pests.

‘Elegans’ Procelain Vine (Ampelopsis Brevipedunculata ‘Elegans”)

General: Procelain Vine belongs to grape family, posses three lobed leaves and colorful violet, blue, turquoise and yellow berries, which provide food for birds. Porcelain vine climbs with tendrils and can be grown on garden trellis or can be a cover for a pergola, fence or arbor. It can with stand in any kind of soil conditions and even hard pruning. Keep an eye on unwanted seedlings. This plant may be invasive in some zones; check with a certified nurseryperson or your local Extension Office before planting porcelain vine to avoid introducing a noxious weed into the local ecosystem.

Size: Goes about 15 feet tall.

USDA Plant hardiness Zones:5 to 8

AHS Zones: 8 to 3

Site: Evenly moist, well-drained soil and full sun to light shade are good growing conditions for this plant. The roots zone should be limited so as to promote berries. You have to put wires or woody structures for it to climb upon.

Pest and disease prevention: It may be attacked by beetles.

Rugosa Rose (Rosa Rugosa)

General: This species of rose is an excellent option as it is naturally hardy, pest and disease resistant, forms a shrub and bears pink, red or white flowers during spring. In fall orange- red color fruits called hip appears and the green foliage turns glowing orange. It is adapted to windy conditions, sea-side areas and grows in wide range of soil texture and pH levels. The fruit hip, is rich in vitamin C and can be used for making jelly. Cut down the oldest canes in winter so as to have new ones.

Size: It is generally 4 to 6 feet tall.

USDA Plant hardiness Zones: 2 to 9

AHS Zones: 9 to 1

Site: Full drained soil and full sun is required.

Pest and disease prevention: This is generally trouble free but you may have to keep away any leaf litter in order to avoid bacterial attack.
Source:http://www.greendivamom.com/2010/04/19/four-widely-adapted-plants-for-your-yard/