A few favorites. I may add more to the post later in the season, when January and the desire to do literally anything with gardening becomes unmanageable.
These are a mix of natives and non-natives. (I’m writing up some thoughts on the native/non-native plant discourse; I’ll update with a link in a bit.)
Japanese Maples and Japanese Stewartia are non-native/non-invasives, as is Disanthus which I believe is native to China. The colors on these are essential: seeing that scarlet red as you emerge from the western side of the woods first thing in the morning as the light pours through the trees is nearly holy.
Japanese stewartia and Disanthus have fascinating fall color patterns. The Disanthus leaves can range on one leaf from golden to plum to burgandy to wine, the Disanthus from gold to apricot to coral – these are critical for fall color if you have the space, in my opinion.
Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus macrostachya) and sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) are native, though I don’t think sourwood is much grown in New England. It is known for lovely fall color; whispy, delicate white flowers that fall like a veil when mature; and apparently, is the source for some amazing honey. I’m not going to pretend to know much about honey bee pressure on native bees, or bee keeping. My unscientific observation is that the honey bees and pals seem to do just fine together in the yard, but I plead ignorance so if you have interest you may want to do additional research. My little guy here is about five years old.
Smokebush (Cottinus Coggyria) is a native and my sense is this cultivar is closer to the genetics of the straight species than some of the purple or chartreuse cultivars that I also grow.
