Blog | Old House Trees

The Ultimate Guide to Planting and Caring for Kwanzan Cherry Trees

Few landscaping choices command attention quite like the Kwanzan Cherry tree. When spring arrives, this tree erupts in a breathtaking cloud of double pink blossoms that look remarkably like fluffy…

The Superfood Growing in Your Backyard: Why You Should Care About Chokeberries

Right now in the middle of June, the Aronia melanocarpa shrubs are quietly working magic. Their spring flowers have fallen away, and small green berries are beginning to swell. These…

Need Patio Privacy? Why Vernal Witch Hazel is the Perfect Natural Screen

Picture this: You’re sitting on your patio on a beautiful summer evening, sipping your favorite drink, and trying to relax. Then, you look up and make awkward eye contact with…

Why Buttonbush is the Ultimate Solution for Soggy Yards

If you own an old house, you almost certainly have a soggy spot. Maybe it is a depression at the back of the property where the neighborhood runoff gathers. Maybe…

How to Use Shirobana Spirea for Year-Round Color and Texture

Most shrubs get their moment in the spotlight and then fade quietly into the background for the rest of the year. Shirobana spirea is different. This compact, easygoing shrub manages…

Crape Myrtle Showdown: Pink vs. Red vs. Purple — Which Is Right for Your Yard?

If you’ve driven through the South in summer, you know the sight: long stretches of road lined with brilliant blooms bursting from trees that seem almost too showy to be…

Emerald Green vs. Green Giant Arborvitae: Which Privacy Screen Is Right for You?

If you’re looking to add year-round privacy to your yard, arborvitae are hard to beat. They’re evergreen, low-maintenance, and they do exactly what you need them to do — block…

The “Late Summer Legend”: Why You Need a Rose of Sharon

If your garden starts looking a little “tired” come August, you aren’t alone. Most spring bloomers have packed it in, and the summer heat can make even the toughest perennials…

Meet the Arrowwood Viburnum: The “Swiss Army Knife” of Your Garden

If you’re looking for a plant that works as hard as you do (but looks a lot better doing it), let me introduce you to the Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum).…

Why Every Garden Needs a Pussy Willow (Your Local Bees Will Thank You!)

At Old House Trees, we’re obsessed with plants that look cool but work hard. If you’re looking to turn your backyard into a tiny wildlife sanctuary this year, here’s why…