Living in New Jersey means that wind, snow, cold, ice and freezing rain can take a major toll on landscaping plants — and especially on trees and shrubs. One of the most important things to consider as you finalize any landscaping plan is the variety of plants that you choose. Making sure that you select storm-resistant trees and shrubs is crucial to the success of your landscape and its longevity.
For this reason, it’s best to hire a professional landscape designer for any major work to your property. In addition to understanding which hardscaping features will stand up to ice and not be ruined by salt, a professional also knows exactly which trees and shrubs work best in the New Jersey climate. These plants have flexible branches to withstand ice and snow loads as well as strong root systems to keep from toppling in strong winds. Many homeowner insurance policies do not cover damage to hardscaping and landscaping plants, so you want to make sure you design ahead of time to protect your property from fallen branches and invasive roots, among other common issues.
Much of NJ lies in growing Zone 6, which means that plants should withstand wintertime lows of -10°F. Unfortunately, not all shrubs and trees sold here do well in Zone 6, and many need to be protected with anti-desiccant sprays and burlap wrappers. To avoid creating extra maintenance headaches, choose from some of the suggested plants below and consult with a professional about what will work best in your microclimate.
Storm Resistant Trees and Shrubs
Tall Trees and Evergreens
- Colorado Blue Spruce: Grows well in Zones 2-7 and tolerates wind thanks to its strong upper branches. The classic Christmas tree shape of this small-needled conifer allows it to shed snow, as well to help protect branches. It adapts to many soil types and needs full sun for best results.
- Blue Point Juniper: Grows well in Zones 4-9, making this a perfect choice for New Jersey Shaggy, blue-green foliage is attractive year-round, and they stand up to the wind, heat and drought conditions. Blue Point Juniper tops out at 10’ to 12’ feet in height and only get 3′ wide. This species requires little to no pruning unless you prefer to manage the height. Additionally, low-maintenance hedges can be created by adjusting the spacing of the trees when first planted.
- Kwanzan Cherry Tree: This double-flowered cherry tree is a lovely specimen that keeps landscapes clean because it doesn’t produce fruit. It grows best in Zones 5-9, making it an ideal tree for all of NJ. At full maturity, Kwanzan Cherry Trees reach 30’ in height with a width of up to 40′. They grow well and can add 2′ of new growth each year. The most charming feature of this cherry variety is its gorgeous spring display of pink blossoms.
Other tall tree options include hickory, oaks and white pines.
Flowering Trees
- Redbud “Forest Pansy”: The Eastern Redbud is a native tree with attractive pink blossoms in the spring. Native plants are nearly always good choices when it comes to choosing storm-resistant trees since they are perfectly adapted to local growing conditions. This cultivar features purple leaves for additional visual interest. The redbud reaches a height of 15-20’ at maturity and spreads 12’ to 20’ in diameter. The multi-branched trunks are flexible and strong.
Shrubs That Tolerate Storms
- Globe Blue Spruce: The Globe Blue Spruce features small, blue-tinged needles and a tight branching pattern. It requires very little maintenance to keep this shrub small – it grows 1’ every 10 years. The compact growth patterns and sturdy branches make it a great choice for standing up to ice and snow. These are typically used as a foundation planting.
- Gold Flame Spirea: Also known as Japanese Spirea, this deciduous shrub features sharp-toothed, green-gold leaves throughout the growing season and attracts butterflies with a showy display of pink flowers in early Spirea is best grown in Zones 4-8 and has many different species/cultivars that range from a 2’ maximum height to over a 10’ maximum height. This tough plant looks great in foundation plantings or as a low hedge.
- Blue Pacific Juniper: This plant is also known as shore juniper, so it’s no surprise that it’s a good choice for New Jersey homeowners. With a mature height of just 1’, this creeping ground cover is ideal for difficult areas and can thrive for years once established. Leaves are fragrant, and the plant produces a host of dark purple, nearly black berries that attract birds and add interest to your ground cover. It’s also drought-tolerant.
The list of storm-resistant trees and shrubs is quite long, but you don’t have to know them all. At Parker Homescape, we work with each property owner to determine the best mix of trees for their land, which has its own unique wind patterns, drainage issues and more. Two neighboring yards offer different growing conditions, so there’s no silver-bullet for every landscape. We help homeowners understand what their landscaping options are so that they can add value to their home, beauty to their yards and safety during storms.
