Hop Tree, Shrubby Trefoil, Stinking Ash, Swamp Devil's Bit, Swamp Dogwood, Wafer Ash, Water Ash, Wing Seed
Ptelea trifoliata (Hop Tree) is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub or small tree with trifoliate, lustrous dark green leaves, each leaflet to 2-5 in. long (5-12 cm). Sprays of tiny, star-shaped, greenish-white flowers appear in late spring to early summer. Their sweet nectar attracts many species of butterflies. The blossoms are followed by hanging seed clusters, each encased in a thin, circular-winged samara, 1 in. across (2.5 cm). Seeds mature to chocolate-brown in late summer and persist through most of the winter. The foliage turns greenish-yellow in the fall. Leaves, flowers, and bark are all aromatic and exude an unpleasant citrus-oil aroma. Ptelea trifoliata is an attractive, tall shrub or small understory tree for both moist conditions and dry rocky sites. Suitable for the shrub border or as a lawn specimen.
The Hop Tree is particularly important for the caterpillars of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) and Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes). These caterpillars feed on the leaves, making it a crucial part of their lifecycle.
| Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
5 - 9 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Plant Family | Rutaceae |
| Common names | Shrubby Trefoil, Hop Tree |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height |
15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m) |
| Spread |
15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Midwest, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Rocky Mountains, Utah |
| Tolerance | Full Shade, Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
| Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
5 - 9 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Plant Family | Rutaceae |
| Common names | Shrubby Trefoil, Hop Tree |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height |
15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m) |
| Spread |
15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Midwest, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Rocky Mountains, Utah |
| Tolerance | Full Shade, Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
How many Ptelea trifoliata (Hop Tree) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Ptelea trifoliata (Hop Tree) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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