Got snow in summer?
Every summer, folks ask: "What are those fuzzy things floating in the air and clogging up my window screens, clogging HVAC units, and air filters?"
If the Dandelions have already finished sending their puffball seeds drifting away, what you're most likely seeing are Cottonwood seeds!
Cottonwood Trees (Populus deltoides and hybrids) are legendary across the western states and the Great Plains. These towering, fast-growing giants provide shade in record time and create a picturesque landscape.
But here's the catch! Traditional Cottonwoods drop their fluffy seeds everywhere, creating a mess on porches, lawns, and even inside homes!
That's where Cottonless Cottonwood Trees shine. At Nature Hills, you'll find seedless options like the Siouxland Cottonwood and Hybrid Poplar, which offer the same toughness and beauty without the summer snowstorm.
And Cottonwoods aren't the only members of the Populus family available! Nature Hills carries a full lineup of fast-growing Aspens and Poplars to fit every yard size and design!
- The Populus Family at Nature Hills
- Landscaping Uses
- Care & Maintenance
- Why Plant Cottonless Cottonwoods & Populus Trees?
- Floating Off With Cottonwoods
The Populus Family at Nature Hills
The Populus genus includes Cottonwoods, Aspens, and Poplars - all known for their rapid growth, adaptability, and striking forms. Here's what you can choose from:
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Siouxland Cottonwood - An improved, cottonless Cottonwood with broad shade and toughness.
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Hybrid Poplar - One of the fastest-growing shade trees on the market, seedless and adaptable.
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Summer Shimmer® Aspen - An ornamental Aspen cultivar with shimmering leaves and improved form.
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Swedish Columnar Aspen - A tall, narrow Aspen perfect for smaller yards or creating screens.
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Quaking Aspen - The classic Aspen with fluttering, heart-shaped leaves that "quake" in the breeze.
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Lombardy Poplar - A historic, tall, narrow Poplar used for windbreaks and dramatic vertical accents.
- Theves Poplar - A vigorous, fast-growing Poplar ideal for acreage planting and instant impact.
Despite its name, the Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron) isn't a true Poplar, but rather in the Magnolia family. These selections let you choose whether you want a towering shade tree, a privacy screen, or a striking columnar accent in your landscape.
Landscaping Uses
Cottonwoods and their Populus cousins are versatile in design:
- Shade Tree - Plant Siouxland Cottonwood or Hybrid Poplar for fast, cooling shade.
- Windbreaks - Lombardy and Theves Poplars excel at blocking wind on large properties.
- Privacy Screens - Swedish Columnar Aspen or Lombardy Poplar create instant green walls. The Hybrid Poplar provides tall screening in a hurry!
- Wildlife Value - Quaking Aspen supports pollinators, birds, and small mammals.
- Ornamental Accent - Summer Shimmer® Aspen adds refined beauty to landscapes.
- Companion Planting - Pair with flowering bushes, ornamental grasses, or berry bushes to soften their strong forms.
Care & Maintenance
Like most Populus trees, Cottonwoods, Aspens, and Poplars thrive with minimal care once established. Here's how to set them up for success:
- Choose the Right Spot - Full sun is best, and give them room to reach their mature size. These can have large, thirsty, and wide-spreading root systems.
- Soil Needs - Adaptable to sandy, loamy, or clay soils. Many tolerate wetter sites.
- Watering - Regular deep watering during the first few years builds strong roots.
- Pruning - Keep any pruning light - only remove damaged or crossing branches.
- Growth Rate - Most Populus species are extremely fast-growing, some adding 5-8 feet per year.
Why Plant Cottonless Cottonwoods & Populus Trees?
Planting seedless Cottonwoods and their Populus relatives means:
- No Fluffy Seeds - Seedless varieties eliminate the cottony mess.
- Instant Shade - Some of the fastest-growing trees for shade you can buy.
- Hardiness - Thrives in tough climates and poor soils.
- Versatility - Choose from broad shade canopies to narrow columnar forms.
- Longevity - Durable options for farms, homes, and acreages.
Floating Off With Cottonwoods
If the floating fluff in the air makes you sneeze, don't blame Ma Nature too harshly - she's just letting Cottonwoods spread their seeds. But for homeowners who want shade without the mess, seedless Cottonwoods and other Populus selections are the perfect solution!
Fast, tough, beautiful, and adaptable - these trees prove why the Populus family has been loved for generations!
Happy Planting!
