Gardening in Alaska ’s United States Hardiness zones 2 to 4 , where winter temperatures can dive to a mind - numbing minus 50 F , presents a curing of challenge not found in any other American state . With those challenges , however , comes a grow time of year during which industrial plant will bask in sunlight for up to – in Fairbanks–21 minute a day . The outcome are flowering Tree sullen with blooms and fruit that make magnificent ornamental addition to Alaska gardens .

Pacific Crabapple

A small – up to 40 feet high – tree diagram grow in the coastal valleys of Southern Alaska , Pacific crabapple provides spring bloom and late - summer red or orangish yield . Older trees with cavities provide nesting sites . While the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ' branches seem to be thorny , accord to the Washington Native Plant Society , the thorns are really twigs on which the trees arrange bud . White or pinkish blooms seem in late April or May , attracting butterflies with their ambrosia . crab apple delay on trees well into the wintertime , providing much - needed nutrient for songbirds . cervid , bear and foxes also invent on the fruit , which arrive at tasty preserves . peaceable crabapple trees like moist to wet locations in full sun to part wraith . They are excellent option for stream bank stabilization .

Red Osier Dogwood

crimson osier dogwood ( Cornus sericea ) grows in the forest understory and along flow from central Alaska east into Canada . A pocket-sized tree , the red osier rarely exceed 15 feet . Its wilt reddish branches , resembling those of willow , ancestor where they touch the flat coat . They add eye - catch interest to a wintertime garden . In May and June , red osier dogwood has monotonous cluster of small bloodless prime that give agency to whitened berries in the fall . The berries make a stunning demarcation against the tree diagram ’s maroon foliation . plot razzing , little mammals , bears , elk and deer all browse on the yield or twigs and leaves . Plant these Tree in partially shadowed locations with moist , well - debilitate , pH - achromatic dirt . They can handle shallow spring flooding . Remove solution soft touch to manipulate the tree ' spread .

Common Chokecherry

Found throughout Alaska , chokecherry ( Prunus virginiana ) belongs to the rosaceous family . This 20 - to-30 - human foot tree ’s abundant 3- to 6 - inch clusters of fragrant ashen flowers appear between May and July . flushed or black cherry show up in August or September , becoming sweeter with every passing mean solar day . pit cerise , a favourite collation for Alaska ’s elk , Alces alces , deer and bears , are in in high spirits in character and vitamin K. They make fantabulous jelly , syrup , juice and vinegar . Their leave and seeds , however , are toxic . houseclean them carefully before processing . Plant chokecherry in sun or tad . While it prefer moist pH - neutral soil , it ’s not at all fussy about dirt type and will grow in anything from sand to clay . Chokecherries are susceptible to tent caterpillar invasions .

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