# Uncommon Yard Trees

> Native shade and flowering trees that deserve far more use than they get.

Ninety native shade and flowering trees for yards, from small trees such as [flowering dogwood](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/flowering-dogwood/index.html.md), [eastern redbud](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/eastern-redbud/index.html.md), serviceberry and [white fringetree](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/white-fringetree/index.html.md) to canopy trees such as [black gum](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/black-gum/index.html.md), [American basswood](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/american-basswood/index.html.md), [bald cypress](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/bald-cypress/index.html.md) and [Kentucky coffeetree](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/kentucky-coffeetree/index.html.md). Mature heights run from about 10 to 120 feet and hardiness from USDA zone 2 to zone 10 depending on the species. All are sold as saplings, and eighty-nine of them as seed to sow. Saplings ship while dormant, in spring and fall. Which of them belongs near a house is its own question: see [six trees not to plant near a house, and what to plant instead](https://bluewhaletrees.com/articles/trees-not-to-plant-near-a-house/index.html.md).

58 of 364 plants matching native to Virginia. Web version: https://bluewhaletrees.com/shop/yard-trees/?native=VA. Each plant links to its own Markdown page with the full facts, description and growing guide.

Columns: Zones are the USDA hardiness zones the plant takes, from the coldest to the warmest it is rated for (zone 2 is the coldest, 10 the warmest); Height is mature height in feet; Sun and Soil list every condition the plant takes; Grown from is what the nursery offers it as (saplings, or acorns, nuts or seed to sow); Price is the lowest current price, or "ask" when the plant is not yet priced online (email captain@bluewhaletrees.com or join the waitlist on the web page).

This table accepts the shop's filters as query parameters on this address: size (shrub, small-tree, medium-tree, large-tree), sun (full, part, shade), moisture (dry, average, wet), zone (2 to 10), native (a state's two-letter code in capitals, such as PA: the plants native to that state by the USDA PLANTS records), want (a trait: flowers, fall-color, wildlife, honey, edible, evergreen, rare, drought, wet-tolerant, shade, early-bearing, screening, nitrogen-fixing, salt, winter-interest, street-tree, erosion-control; rare means uncommon in the wild or in nurseries, honey a nectar source for bees), as (acorns, seed, nuts, saplings) and q (a search word). Several values may be joined with commas.

| Plant | Botanical name | Group | Type | Height (ft) | Zones | Sun | Soil | Grown from | Price |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Black Gum (Tupelo)](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/black-gum/index.html.md) | *Nyssa sylvatica* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 40–70 | 4–9 | Full, Part | Dry, Average, Wet | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Black Locust](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/black-locust/index.html.md) | *Robinia pseudoacacia* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 40–70 | 4–8 | Full | Dry, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [American Basswood (Linden)](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/american-basswood/index.html.md) | *Tilia americana* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 60–90 | 3–8 | Full, Part, Shade | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Cucumber Magnolia](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/cucumber-magnolia/index.html.md) | *Magnolia acuminata* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 50–80 | 4–8 | Full, Part | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Flowering Dogwood](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/flowering-dogwood/index.html.md) | *Cornus florida* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–30 | 5–9 | Part, Full, Shade | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Downy Serviceberry](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/downy-serviceberry/index.html.md) | *Amelanchier arborea* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–25 | 4–9 | Full, Part | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Allegheny Serviceberry](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/allegheny-serviceberry/index.html.md) | *Amelanchier laevis* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–25 | 4–8 | Full, Part | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Sourwood](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/sourwood/index.html.md) | *Oxydendrum arboreum* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 25–50 | 5–9 | Full, Part | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Eastern Redbud](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/eastern-redbud/index.html.md) | *Cercis canadensis* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 20–30 | 4–9 | Full, Part | Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Sweetbay Magnolia](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/sweetbay-magnolia/index.html.md) | *Magnolia virginiana* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–35 | 5–10 | Full, Part | Average, Wet | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [American Hornbeam (Musclewood)](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/american-hornbeam/index.html.md) | *Carpinus caroliniana* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 20–35 | 3–9 | Part, Shade, Full | Average, Wet | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Hop Hornbeam](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/hop-hornbeam/index.html.md) | *Ostrya virginiana* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 25–40 | 3–9 | Full, Part, Shade | Dry, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [White Fringetree](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/white-fringetree/index.html.md) | *Chionanthus virginicus* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 12–20 | 4–9 | Full, Part | Average, Wet | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Washington Hawthorn](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/washington-hawthorn/index.html.md) | *Crataegus phaenopyrum* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 20–30 | 4–8 | Full | Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Carolina Silverbell](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/carolina-silverbell/index.html.md) | *Halesia tetraptera* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 30–40 | 4–8 | Part, Full | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Kentucky Coffeetree](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/kentucky-coffeetree/index.html.md) | *Gymnocladus dioicus* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 60–80 | 3–8 | Full | Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [American Mountain Ash](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/american-mountain-ash/index.html.md) | *Sorbus americana* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–30 | 2–7 | Full, Part | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Bald Cypress](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/bald-cypress/index.html.md) | *Taxodium distichum* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 50–80 | 4–10 | Full | Wet, Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Blue Ash](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/blue-ash/index.html.md) | *Fraxinus quadrangulata* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 50–70 | 4–7 | Full | Dry, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Common Hackberry](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/common-hackberry/index.html.md) | *Celtis occidentalis* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 40–60 | 3–9 | Full, Part, Shade | Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Sassafras](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/sassafras/index.html.md) | *Sassafras albidum* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 30–60 | 4–9 | Full, Part | Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Common Hoptree (Wafer Ash)](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/common-hoptree/index.html.md) | *Ptelea trifoliata* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 10–20 | 4–9 | Part, Full, Shade | Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Sweet Birch (Black Birch)](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/sweet-birch/index.html.md) | *Betula lenta* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 40–70 | 3–8 | Full, Part | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Water Hickory](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/water-hickory/index.html.md) | *Carya aquatica* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 80–100 | 5–10 | Full, Part | Wet, Average | Saplings, Nuts | ask |
| [Dwarf Hackberry](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/dwarf-hackberry/index.html.md) | *Celtis tenuifolia* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–30 | 4–9 | Full, Part | Dry, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Striped Maple](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/striped-maple/index.html.md) | *Acer pensylvanicum* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–35 | 3–7 | Part, Shade | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Florida Maple](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/florida-maple/index.html.md) | *Acer floridanum* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 20–60 | 5–9 | Full, Part, Shade | Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Yellow Buckeye](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/yellow-buckeye/index.html.md) | *Aesculus flava* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 50–75 | 3–8 | Full, Part | Average, Wet | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Painted Buckeye](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/painted-buckeye/index.html.md) | *Aesculus sylvatica* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 10–20 | 6–8 | Part, Full, Shade | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Atlantic White Cedar](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/atlantic-white-cedar/index.html.md) | *Chamaecyparis thyoides* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 40–60 | 3–9 | Full, Part | Wet, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Carolina Hemlock](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/carolina-hemlock/index.html.md) | *Tsuga caroliniana* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 40–60 | 6–7 | Part, Shade, Full | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Devilwood](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/devilwood/index.html.md) | *Cartrema americana* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–30 | 5–10 | Part, Full, Shade | Average, Wet, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Bigleaf Magnolia](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/bigleaf-magnolia/index.html.md) | *Magnolia macrophylla* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 30–40 | 5–9 | Part, Full | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Umbrella Magnolia](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/umbrella-magnolia/index.html.md) | *Magnolia tripetala* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–30 | 4–9 | Part, Shade, Full | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Winged Elm](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/winged-elm/index.html.md) | *Ulmus alata* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 40–60 | 6–9 | Full, Part | Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Swamp Tupelo](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/swamp-tupelo/index.html.md) | *Nyssa biflora* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 60–80 | 6–9 | Full, Part | Wet, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Water Tupelo](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/water-tupelo/index.html.md) | *Nyssa aquatica* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 60–100 | 6–10 | Full, Part | Wet, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Fraser Magnolia](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/fraser-magnolia/index.html.md) | *Magnolia fraseri* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 30–50 | 5–9 | Part, Full | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Hercules' Club](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/hercules-club/index.html.md) | *Zanthoxylum clava-herculis* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–40 | 6–10 | Full, Part | Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Sugarberry](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/sugarberry/index.html.md) | *Celtis laevigata* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 50–80 | 5–10 | Full, Part, Shade | Average, Wet, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Pagoda Dogwood](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/pagoda-dogwood/index.html.md) | *Cornus alternifolia* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–25 | 3–8 | Part, Full, Shade | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Mountain Maple](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/mountain-maple/index.html.md) | *Acer spicatum* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 10–25 | 2–7 | Part, Shade, Full | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Black Maple](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/black-maple/index.html.md) | *Acer nigrum* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 60–75 | 3–8 | Full, Part, Shade | Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Yellow Birch](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/yellow-birch/index.html.md) | *Betula alleghaniensis* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 60–75 | 3–7 | Full, Part | Average, Wet | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Gray Birch](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/gray-birch/index.html.md) | *Betula populifolia* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 20–40 | 3–8 | Full, Part | Average, Dry, Wet | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Pond Cypress](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/pond-cypress/index.html.md) | *Taxodium ascendens* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 30–70 | 5–10 | Full, Part | Wet, Average, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Table Mountain Pine](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/table-mountain-pine/index.html.md) | *Pinus pungens* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 20–40 | 5–7 | Full | Dry, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Longleaf Pine](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/longleaf-pine/index.html.md) | *Pinus palustris* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 60–120 | 7–10 | Full | Dry, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Pond Pine](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/pond-pine/index.html.md) | *Pinus serotina* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 40–70 | 7–9 | Full, Part | Wet, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Red Spruce](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/red-spruce/index.html.md) | *Picea rubens* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 60–75 | 2–6 | Full, Part | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Fraser Fir](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/fraser-fir/index.html.md) | *Abies fraseri* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 30–55 | 4–7 | Full, Part | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Northern White Cedar](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/northern-white-cedar/index.html.md) | *Thuja occidentalis* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 40–60 | 2–7 | Full, Part | Average, Wet | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Sweetleaf](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/sweetleaf/index.html.md) | *Symplocos tinctoria* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 15–30 | 7–9 | Part, Shade, Full | Average, Wet, Dry | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Swamp Cottonwood](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/swamp-cottonwood/index.html.md) | *Populus heterophylla* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Large tree | 70–90 | 6–9 | Full | Wet, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Red Buckeye](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/red-buckeye/index.html.md) | *Aesculus pavia* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 10–25 | 4–9 | Part, Full, Shade | Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Buckthorn Bully](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/buckthorn-bully/index.html.md) | *Sideroxylon lycioides* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Small tree | 10–45 | 7–9 | Full, Part | Average, Wet | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [Eastern Red Cedar](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/eastern-red-cedar/index.html.md) | *Juniperus virginiana* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 30–50 | 2–9 | Full | Dry, Average | Saplings, Seed | ask |
| [River Birch](https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants/river-birch/index.html.md) | *Betula nigra* | Uncommon Yard Trees | Medium tree | 40–70 | 3–9 | Full, Part | Average, Wet | Saplings, Seed | ask |