![]() ![]() Most crabapples are attacked by a disease called apple scab which causes them to defoliate in the summer. For a small tree with purple leaves, try the Purple Filbert which has the bonus of edible nuts.Ĭrabapples - In springtime, crabapples are glorious (see below). Alternative - The straight species green-leafed redbud, for whatever reason, is more resistant to the root rots than the purple leafed varieties.Look for malformed leaves which can be an indicator of serious problems (see below). Often, trees come infected directly from the nursery. Properly locating purple-leafed redbuds in well drained non-irrigated sites will help in managing the disease. It causes die-back in branches, attracts secondary infections, and will eventually kill the trees. Their purple leaves make a striking addition to any landscape, but these trees are highly susceptible to a type of fungal wilt that has no cure. There are many varieties of Redbuds, and the purple leafed varieties are very popular. Purple-leafed redbuds - The flowers of redbuds are true harbingers of spring. Alternative - "Green Giant" arborvitae is a vigorous grower with a stronger upright habit and is perfectly winter hardy.They may survive for a few years, but eventually they will get zapped by a true zone 6 winter and either die or look bad enough they'll need to be removed. Leyland cypress - Fast growing and elegant, these evergreen trees simply are not hardy in Kentucky zone 6 winters. Alternative - Kentucky yellowwood grows to a similar size as an ash tree, but it has large panicles of fragrant white flowers in the spring (see above).Be wary of anyone still selling ash trees in Kentucky. The presence of the EAB means ash trees are no longer viable plants for our landscapes. Alternative - Serviceberry trees have attractive white blooms, edible fruit, and outstanding fall color.Īsh - Once a common street tree in Lexington and Louisville, the emerald ash borer (EAB) has devastated their populations both in cities and in forests. ![]() Aside from the invasive problem, the flowers smell bad, the branches easily break in wind and ice storms, and they get fire blight. Ornamental pear - These invasive trees are still available at many retail centers. Here is a list of 10 problematic trees and shrubs commonly found in Kentucky landscapes along with better alternatives. Many of the most common landscape plants have serious problems, and they should be used with caution or avoided all together. Additional criteria to ensure the right plant choice is to consider pest and disease resistance. The plant should also be the proper size for the location, adapted to the amount of sun exposure, tolerant of the soil conditions, and adapted to the climate conditions. But the prettiness of a plant is not a good measure of its long term performance in the landscape. Often plants are chosen based upon how pretty they are, which is why the same plants in flower sell faster than when they are not in flower. There's the old adage of "right plant, right place." But what criteria make a plant the right choice? ![]()
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