• The flowering dogwood is a native ornamental tree.dogwood image by rebekah gonzalez from Fotolia.com
  
  With more than 17 million acres of forested land, Pennsylvania is a rich source of native, ornamental plants. Given the state's moderate climate, Pennsylvania gardeners can choose from a wide variety of native and non-invasive imported ornamentals including shrubs, trees, flowers and grasses. Ornamentals have a broad definition, describing any plant grown solely for its aesthetic qualities whether that is color, flowers, scent, bark or unusual botanical feature.
  
  

Viburnums

• Viburnums are versatile and adaptable shrubs often used in ornamental gardens. Viburnums grow well in rich, well-drained soil and tolerate Pennsylvania's cold winters and hot summers. They range in height from 2 to 15 feet tall and provide year-round interest for any garden. In spring, viburnums produce white or pink fragrant flowers. Its leaves are glossy and turn a deep burgundy color in autumn. Native Americans used the wood of viburnum dentatum, or arrowwood viburnum, to make their arrow shafts as the plant's stems are long and straight.
  
  

Flowering Dogwood

• Another option for an ornamental tree in Pennsylvania is the flowering dogwood tree. These small, native deciduous trees have a low-spreading crown and can grow to about 30 feet tall. Dogwoods thrive in nutrient rich, well drained soil and can be found growing throughout the state. Its leaves are 3 to 5 inches long with smooth or wavy margins and turn bright red in the fall. During the late spring and summer months, the flowering dogwood produces clusters of white flowers with four petals--each with a characteristic indentation at its tip.
  
  

Ornamental Grasses

• Ornamental grasses can add height, texture and interest to any garden. Many native ornamental grasses are easy to maintain and attract birds and butterflies. Some grasses grow during the warm summer months and go dormant in winter while others prefer to grow during the winter months and go dormant in late summer. Pennsylvania ornamental grasses include switch grass, big bluestem, pampas grass and bottlebrush grass. These grasses can be found growing wild in wetland regions of Pennsylvania where they enjoy nutrient-rich soil and plenty of water.