Download Description - Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District

Iris -
Native to Alaska
Iris setosa
Description
This perennial wild Iris is also called Beachhead, Knik Germplasm, and Blue Flag. These Irises bloom
in June and July and the flower doesn’t have a scent. Established wild Irises produce 3 to 4 blooms on
each stalk annually. Prefers moist soils and will grow well in ditches; and along streambanks, and
ponds.
Form
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Grows up to 12-24” tall
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Vibrant violet flowers June-July
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Zone 3-9
Plant Characteristics and maintenance
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Use in revegetation and erosion control-root stalks hold soil firmly
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Vigorous seedlings that increase naturally with little maintenance
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Takes 2-3 years from seed to blooming adult plant
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Attracts pollinators
Antonovka Apple – Non-Native Species
Malus pumila Antonovka
Description
This disease resistant heirloom variety produces a high acidic
(tart) yellow apple, but is complimented with its intense sweetness. Good for eating fresh when fully
ripe (yellow, not green). Also good for baking, cider, sauces and even apple wine. This tree has the
ability to sustain long harsh winters typical of Northern Europe and Russia, its place of origin. Superior
fruit preservation qualities (3 months under refrigeration), allowing fruit to “sweeten up” during
storage.
Form
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Grows up to 25-35’ tall
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Produces white flowers in April
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A fairly large, bright greenish-yellow apple, often with russeting. Russeting is a patch of the
apple’s skin that is a different color (golden brown, burnt amber, grey) from the rest of the
apple, and also has a sandpapery texture.
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Extremely cold hardy for Fairbanks, AK
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Seeds can be sown to produce non-hybrid trees (plants that look and function the same as the
parent plant).
Plant Characteristics and Maintenance
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Plant in well-drained soil, can grow in heavy clay soil, requires moist soil
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Needs 12-15 gallons of water per week May-Sept.
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Can grow in semi-shade
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Plant each tree 12-16’ apart
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Requires protection from moose
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Winter mulch protection during early growing years
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Requires different variety with same bloom period for adequate pollination
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Can prune in summer to maintain 8ft
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Zone 3-9
Kiska Raspberry – Non-Native Species
Rubus idaeus
Description
This Interior Alaska cultivar is very cold hardy, however it has lower quality fruit as it is a hybrid
between wild raspberry and Rubus Cuthbert. It is a summer bearing red raspberry variety that
produces sweet fruit. Plants begin to bear fruit during their second year. Summer bearing raspberries
tend to have good eating and freezing characteristics. Plants are spiny and produce many suckers.
Very cold hardy cultivar, a good selection for Interior Alaska. Keep this cultivar away from wild
raspberries as insects bring diseases from the wild raspberries to the Kiska.
Form
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Growth Habit – perennial trailing plant
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Height – up to 6 feet
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Width – up to 3 feet
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Spacing – about 2 ½ feet apart in rows. Rows 8 feet apart
Plant Characteristics and Maintenance
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Flowers early summer
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Fruiting in late summer and requires moist soil conditions during this time (1” per week)
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Soil requirements: slightly acidic (6.0) fertile and well drained soils
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Lighting: tolerates full sun but prefers part sun part shade during fruiting
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Maintenance: Requires trellising that increases yield of berries. Fertilize early with a balanced
fertilizer and again with high Nitrogen fertilizer early bloom at 1 pound per 100 square feet.
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Care and Pruning: Floricanes (fruit bearing canes) die after they are fruited and should be
removed once they turn brown in the fall. Also remove all but about 6 live canes per linear foot,
keeping the larger ones. Must thin if to continue producing.
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Zone 2
Roseroot (Rhodiola) – Non-Native Species
Rhodiola rosea
Description
Roseroot is a tough but beautiful artic succulent that requires
little care. It is a perennial herb with a rose-like fragrance that arises from its yellow
flowers and has historically been used in perfumes. Roseroot can be used as an
ornamental which tolerates rocky soil. Female flowers can turn orange and red, adding to its visual
appeal. Because of our long summers, one plant can produce multiple cycles of flowers. Its young
succulent leaves and shoots can be eaten raw or cooked like spinach.
After 5 years, the roots can be harvested for their medicinal value! The
roots are packed with adaptogens which help humans counteract
stress and depression, and enhance physical and mental performance.
Roots are harvested, washed, chipped and then dried. Roots can be
divided and replanted as long as root piece contains part of the plant
crown, and a rhizome with root hairs.
Form
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Growth Habit – creeping ground cover to erect
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Height – up to 18” tall
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Spacing – 1’ x 1’, perhaps even 1.5’ x 1.5’
Plant Characteristics and Maintenance
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Planting tip: wait to plant into ground until 1-2” tall. Consider potting for the first year, than
transplanting into the ground the second year for added root growth and plant vigor.
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Flowers May-August
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Soil requirements: moist fertile well drained soils of various textures and pH, can tolerate
drought, however consider watering during extended drought periods.
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Maintenance: relatively low.
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Lighting: Cannot grow in the shade
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Hardy to Zone 2
Red Osier Dogwood – Native to Alaska
Conrus sericea
Description
A deciduous medium-sized ornamental shrub forming a thicket of coral red stems that provide
beautiful winter color. Its rapid growing (>24” per year) ability allows for a quick filler of space. A
fibrous root system allows Dogwood to be an effective erosion control on banks and slopes. It
produces small white clusters of flowers in the spring followed by pea-sized drupes or berries in late
summer.
Form
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Growth Habit – Thicket-forming
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Height – up to 9 feet
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Width – up to 10 feet at maturity
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Spacing – 3 to 4 feet to make a hedge
Plant Characteristics and Maintenance
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Flowers during Spring, produces coral red stems
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Soil requirements: Myriad of conditions, including wet soil. However, does not tolerate
excessively dry soil.
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Lighting: partial to full sun, minimum of 4 hours of unfiltered sunlight daily
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Maintenance: needs regular watering during first year of growth. Easy to transplant. Needs to
be pruned once a year. Can be cut back to the ground regularly for the red color of the younger
stems to be more prevalent.
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Zone 2-7
BEARBERRY also known as Kinnikinnick –Native to Alaska
Arctosaphylos uva-ursi
Description
Pure stands of bearberry can be extremely dense, with heights rarely taller than 6 inches. Erect
branching twigs emerge from long flexible prostrate stems, which are produced by single roots.
The finely textured velvety branches are initially white to pale green, becoming smooth and red-brown
with maturity.
The leathery dark green leaves are an inch long and have rounded tips tapering back to the base. In
fall, the leaves begin changing from a dark green to a reddish-green to purple.
Terminal clusters of small urn-shaped flowers bloom from May to June. The perfect flowers are white
to pink, and bear round, fleshy or mealy, bright red to pink fruits. This smooth, glossy skinned fruit will
range from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. The fruit will persist on the plant into early winter.
Form
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Growth Habit – dense mat
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Height – 2-8” tall
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Width – 3-9’
Physical Characteristics and Maintenance
Lighting: Prefers full sun but has been found growing in the forest under a 50 – 75% canopy.
Maintenance: This shrub species requires very little maintenance once it has been established.
Fertilization: Annual spring applications of 10-10-10 will increase the growth rate of bearberry.
Weed control: Weed growth must be controlled to sustain healthy stands of bearberry
Zone 2-6
Landscape Attributes and Uses
Bearberry serves a dual role on sandy soils, as both a beautification plant as well as a critical area
stabilizer. Bearberry is a very popular ground cover. The fruit it produces is eaten by a few species of
songbirds and game animals.
Silverberry – Native to Alaska
Elaeagnus commutata
Description
A rounded, twiggy shrub, 1- 7 ft. tall, with narrow, silvery leaves on grayish-red branches. Small
clusters of inconspicuous, cone-shaped flowers are spicily perfumed with a heavy, sweet scent. The
fruit is a dry, mealy, whitish berry.
It is fast-growing, long-lived, and resistant to disease, insect problems and drought. Silverberry
transplants well, due to a shallow root system. A very hardy species for cold climates.
Form
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Growth Habit - Narrow, upright
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Crown Height – up to 7 feet
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Crown Width – up to 6 feet
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Suckers profusely
Physical Characteristics and Maintenance
Moisture: Prefers subsoil moisture as opposed to water-logged or ponded sites. Drought tolerant.
Light: Full sun or light shade.
Hardy to Zone 2
Uses and Landscape Attributes
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Good as massed for color accent on grounds/landscape
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Dense thickets provide cover for many wildlife species. The thorny shrubs also provide good
nesting sites for birds.
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Fruit used as food for song and game birds. Hoofed browsers may feed on leaves and twigs.
This species is used as food plants by Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies).
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Nitrogen fixation: Many Elaeagnus species harbor nitrogen fixing organisms in their roots,
and are therefore able to grow well in low-nitrogen soil. The extra availability of fixed nitrogen
in the plant makes its leaves more nutritious.
White Spruce – Native to Alaska
Picea glauca
Description
A conifer with four sided evergreen needles that grows up to one hundred feet tall. The branches grow
in a conical shape so the snow will fall off. The bark is brown, thin and scaly. The cones are short and
fat. They generally live to between 100 and 200 years old.
Form
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Slow growth
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A straight, tall tree easily recognized by its needles.
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Cones always hang down.
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Beautiful year-round color.
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Grows to 100' tall
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Grow to 15' wide (spread)
Physical Characteristics and Maintenance
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It is a northern tree which can tolerate cold climates.
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It has a shallow root system that spreads outwards rather that going down as an adaptation to
cold climates.
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Soil Requirements: Tolerates most soil conditions.
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Zone 2
Uses and landscape Attributes
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Good shelter/habitat for wildlife.
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Native Alaskan plant.
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Low maintenance
Alaska Birch – Native to Alaska
Betula neoalaskana
Description
A native deciduous tree of Alaska. It is a slender tree with smooth and creamy white bark which tears
off in papery layers. It has simple leaves that are triangular shaped with serrated edges. It has a
shallow root system. It is a northern tree that has adapted to cold climates. It is found in areas with
short cool summers and long cold winters.
Form
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Grows up to 75 ft tall
Plant Characteristics and Maintenance
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Soil requirements: Accepts most soil conditions
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Lighting: Tolerates partial shade
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Maintenance: Does better when watered (especially during drought conditions)
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Excellent cold hardiness Zone 1
Uses and Landscape Attributes
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It is a food source and a shelter for large and small mammals.
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Native Alaskan plant.
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Low maintenance
Late Lilac – Non-Native Species
Syringa villosa
Description
The main attraction of the Late Lilac is its purplish-white flowers that provide the most pleasant
aroma. The 4” to 8” flowers begin to bloom in early June. Flowers can easily be clipped off the shrub
and put in a vase to invite their fragrance into your home. This shrub enjoys attracting bees and other
beneficial insects into your neighborhood.
Form
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Growth Habit - Narrow, upright shrub
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Height – 6-10 feet tall
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Width –4-10 feet
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Suckers profusely
Plant Characteristics and Maintenance
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Lighting: full sun
Soil Requirements: prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil
somewhat resistant to mildew, scales and borers
transplants easily
cut off old flower heads
Prune immediately after flowering, removing suckers for better plant health.
Low maintenance
Amur Maple– Non-Native Species
Acer ginnala
Description
A spectacular choice for its reliable blazing red fall color and bright red fruits in summer. This is a
shapely small tree; very hardy and adaptable. Amur Maple is a multi-stemmed deciduous tree with a
more or less rounded form.
Ornamental Features
Amur Maple has dark green foliage throughout the season. The lobed leaves turn an outstanding
scarlet in the fall. The flowers are not ornamentally significant.
Form
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It grows at a medium rate
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Under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.
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Height: 10 – 30 feet; typically 20 feet tall
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Spread: 15 feet
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It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for
planting under power lines.
Plant Characteristics and Maintenance
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Lighting: This tree does best in full sun to partial shade.
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Water: It is very adaptable but should be watered during the dry weather, especially during
the first 1-2 years
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Soil Requirements: prefers well drained soil.
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Low maintenance
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Zone 3
Uses and Landscape Attributes
This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have
fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring.
Saskatoon Serviceberry –Native to Alaska
Amelanchier alnifolia
Description
This serviceberry cultivar is a compact, deciduous, early-flowering small shrub.
5-petaled, showy, slightly fragrant, white flowers appear before the leaves emerge
in early spring. Flowers give way to abundant, small, roundish, green berries which mature to a dark
purple in early summer (typically July).
Edible berries resemble blueberries in size and color and are often used in jams, jellies and pies.
Finely toothed, rounded, dark green leaves change to variable shades of yellow and red in autumn.
Form
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Height: 4 to 10 feet
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Spread: 4 to 6 feet
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Bloom Description: White
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Flowers: Showy Flowers
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Leaves: Good Fall Color
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Fruit: Showy, Edible Fruit
Plant Characteristics and Maintenance
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Lighting: Full sun to part shade
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Water: Medium
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Easily grown in average, well-drained soil
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Soil Requirements: Tolerant of a somewhat wide range of soils.
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Root suckers are common, and if not removed, will result in a shrubby growth habit for the
plant.
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Maintenance: Low
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Zone 2
Uses and Landscape Attributes
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Wildlife: Attracts Birds
Dwarf Russian Almond – Non-Native Species
Prunus tenella
Description:
Bountiful, early spring flowers are rose-red and quite striking. Dark green leaves turn yellow-orange in
fall. The shrub is self-pollinating and can produce velvety, oval fruit about 3/4" long. The nutty, grayyellow-tan fruit make this a good small shrub for wildlife browsing. This shrub is very dense which
also provides excellent cover for birds and rabbits. Typically, the fruits/nuts are left for the wildlife to
enjoy, but the nuts are edible. However, avoid nuts that have a bitter taste as they become toxic if
eaten in abundance.
Form
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Mature Height 5-6 ft.
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Mature Width 4-6 ft.
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Foliage Color - Dark Green
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Features - Showy Flowers
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Flowering Season - Spring
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Growth Rate - Moderate
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Flower Color Group: Pink
Plant Characteristics and Maintenance
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Light Needs: Full Sun (Flowers best in full sun)
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Water Needs - Low, Moderate (Fairly drought tolerant)
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Zone 3
Uses and Landscape Attributes
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Natural Garden
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Shrub Border
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Massing
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This a good small shrub for wildlife browsing.
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This shrub is very dense which provides excellent cover for birds and rabbits.
Red Rugosa Rose – Non-Native Species
Rosa rugosa
Description:
These roses are valued for their great hardiness and
fragrant, recurrent blooms. Their characteristic foliage is deeply veined and crinkly green. They
produce red flowers, 3-4 inches wide with a strong fragrance. Fall foliage color is orange/red. Large
orange/red fruit display in fall.
Form
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Mature Height: 5-7 Feet
Width: 4 feet to 6 feet
Bloom Season: late June - August
Bloom Color: Red
Extremely hardy Zone 2
Physical Characteristics and Maintenance
Light: Prefers full sun but can handle partial shade
Moisture: Prefers a moist, well-drained soil, but can tolerate dryness
Soil Requirements: Rugosa roses prefer a rich, well-draining soil with slight acidity of around 5.6 to
6.5 soil pH. However they are very forgiving and can tolerate poor soil, clay and all kinds of abuse.
Planting: Rugosa roses establish best when there is little competition from weeds and nearby plants.
They adapt best if planted in the spring and kept well watered.
Maintenance: They are known as “rugged” roses because they can be virtually maintenance free. The
durable Rugosas have little need for fungicides; it is better to avoid spraying and possible damage to
the foliage.
Pruning: Prune in spring. How much to prune Rugosa roses depends on how large you want them to
be. You can prune them to almost ground level in the spring if you want to keep it small. If you want a
large, natural looking bush, you can do minimal pruning of old wood and suckers. As with all roses,
don’t prune if a frost is anticipated within 6 weeks, to avoid winter dieback
Uses and Landscape Attributes
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They can be grown as attractive hedges as their dense foliage develops nice fall color and most
varieties carry large hips through the winter
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Attracts honeybees and other pollinators
Siberian Larch – Non-Native Species
Larix sibirica
Description
Larches are conifers in the genus Larix, in the family Pinaceae (Pine Family). The needles turn yellow
and fall in the late autumn, leaving the trees leafless through the winter.
It is a medium to tall size deciduous tree, with a straight, gradually tapering trunk and narrow open
crown of many irregularly arranged, slender, somewhat horizontal branches.
Form
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Tree grows up to 80 ft tall
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Needles: deciduous (fall off during winter)
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Bark: scaly, resembling that of a spruce tree, but the inner bark of larch is a vivid reddish
purple.
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Fall Color: needles turn yellow in fall before dropping off
Plant Characteristics and Maintenance
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It is hardy to zone 1 and is not frost tender.
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Soil Requirements: Adaptable to most soil types and pH levels, although it prefers an open
airy position in well-drained soil.
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Lighting: It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun.
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Watering Needs: It prefers moist soil. Plants are intolerant of badly drained soils
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Plants transplant well, even when coming into growth in the spring
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The Siberian Larch can live up to 100 years.
Tundra Rose – Native to Alaska
Potentilla fruticosa
Description
The Tundra Rose is a small, dense, deciduous shrub with numerous upright branches. The plant leafs
out in the early spring. It produces yellow 1”-1.5” buttercup flowers from June until first frost,
attracting pollinators all summer long. In the fall, the foliage turns a yellow-brown color, providing a
variety of visual appeal. The Tundra Rose grows relatively slowly and is very hardy.
Form
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Mature Height: 3-4 feet
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Width: 3-4 feet
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Bloom Season: June-first frost
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Bloom Color: Yellow
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Zone 2
Plant Characteristics and Maintenance
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Easy to grow
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Easily transplanted
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Soil requirements: adaptable to many types of soil
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Does well in extremely cold temperatures
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Lighting: full sun is best, tolerates partial shade
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Maintenance: to keep dense round habit, remove canes during winter or cut to ground
Uses and landscape Attributes
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Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies