Common Name: Zydeco Twist Black Gum
Botanical Name: Nyssa sylvatica ‘Zydeco Twist’
Plant family: Cornaceae
Location: North Forest Trail
Growing zone: 4-9
Height: 20′
Spread: 10′-15′
Bloom time: May, June
Bloom description: Small clusters of greenish white flowers.
Leaf type: Dark green leaves that are oblong in shape have an attractive waxy appearance. Later in the year the fall color is a showy red to deep maroon.
Garden uses: While ‘Zydeco Twist’ has attractive bark, it is grown mostly for the whimsical way its branches grow. Branches appear contorted and corkscrewed, which makes this particular black gum a fantastic specimen plant and adds a delightful playfulness to any landscape.
Wildlife benefits: Attracts birds.