 The Maryland state tree is Quercus alba, better known as the White Oak.
- 50-80' x 70-100', majestic, durable, long lived, native from Maine to Florida
- Alternate, 4 - 8½" long, smooth oblong-obovate leaves, about ½ as wide and narrow at base with 5-9 oblong and obtuse lobes
- Bark is a light ashy-gray, irregularly plated or deeply fissured with narrow ridges
- Grayish pink new leaf color changing to dark blue green in summer on ½ - 1" long yellowish green petiole
- Fall color varies from brown to rich red-wine color
- ¾-1" long light chestnut brown, bowl-like cup shaped nut - edible and valued by birds and mammals
- Wood used for furniture, flooring, boat building, wine and whisky barrels, and many other valuable items
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The Maryland state flower is Rudbeckia hirta or Gloriosa Daisy, traditionally called Black-Eyed Susan.
- In the Asteraceae family, single large flower head terminating stem, on long peduncle
- Considered a biennial to perennial, Hardiness zones 3-10
- Requires full sun, ordinary garden soil and drainage
- Size to 2', bloom yellow-orange-burgundy depending on cultivar, such as 'Rustic Colors, 'Goldielocks', 'Autumn Colors', 'Indian Summer', 'Maya', 'Toto Lemon'
- Blooms first year from seed and easy to sow indoors, blooms in summer and autumn
- Flowers very attractive to bees, butterflies, and hoverflies
- Seed head a favorite to finches, sparrows, and warblers
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Forcing branches for winter bouquets
- Pussy Willow (Salix spp.), Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa), Forsythia (Forsythia spp.), Contorted filbert (Corylus avellana), Flowering Dogwood (Cornus spp.), Star Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia spp.) Flowering Cherry (Prunus spp.)
- Almost any branch that blooms can be forced. The later in the winter you cut the branches the shorter the forcing time is needed.
- The best time to prune is when the weather is mild - midday to mid afternoon - preferably when the temperature is above freezing.
- Choose branches from crowded areas of the plant when possible. Select those that will improve the symmetry of the tree or shrub. Very often, cutting some lower branches will enable you to walk under your tree more easily. Branches that cross one another and those that extend out too far from the shrub are good choices.
- Use sharp pruners to make clean cuts; take branches and immediately submerge in tepid water overnight.
- The next day, place branches in an upright container of your choice. Pound the ends of the stems with a hammer to create more surface area for stems to take in water. Cut off buds from stems below water level.
- Leave in a cool, dimly lit, room and change water daily until buds start to swell.
- Move to brightly lit room and enjoy.
 For any questions on the above referenced or on any plant materials, please contact our Certified Professional Horticulturist, Joanne Lutz at 410-956-1344 ext 16. |
| Want some of these for your yard? Call us or feel free to visit us at our nursery! |
Call us at 410-956-1344
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