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Black walnuts are allelopathic. They produce juglone, a substance toxic to other plants. They do this to reduce competition for water, soil nutrients and sunlight. Not all plants are susceptible to the toxins produced by walnut trees.

Several related trees such as English walnut, hickories and pecan also produce juglone, but in smaller amounts compared to black walnut. Additional common landscape trees with allelopathic properties: sugar maple, tree-of-heaven, hackberries, southern waxmyrtle, American sycamore, cottonwood, black cherry, red oak, black locust, sassafrass, and American elm.

Following are plants that are not damaged by juglone, and will therefore grow successfully under and around walnut trees.
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 Hamamelis virginiana (witchhazel)
#1 gal. container: $18.95

This native shrub produces fringe-like yellow flowers in late winter, and can be grown as a large shrub or small understory tree. Foliage turns brilliant yellow in fall. Grows 12-15' tall and wide.
 Ilex decidua 'Warren's Red' (opossum haw)
#5 gal. container: $32.95

This cultivar is an upright, rounded shrub which typically grows 6-14' high. Glossy dark green leaves turn yellow in autumn and persist later than most other Ilex decidua selections. Flowers are inconspicuous, but pollinated female plants produce numerous, dense clusters of orange-red berries which ripen in late summer and persist throughout the winter until mid-March unless hungry birds devour them first!
 Ilex decidua 'Winter Red' (deciduous holly, opposum haw)
#2 gal. container: $24.95

Excellent dark green foliage of vigorous, dense growth habit. This is a deciduous holly growing 8-10' tall and 6-8' around. Plant in sun or part shade. Wild native males hollies are usually in close enough proximity to produce berries without the need for planting your own — Ilex decidua can be pollinated by the native Ilex opaca.
 Ilex verticilata 'Afterglow' (winterberry)
#5 gal. container: $32.95

Grows 3-5' tall and wide. White flowers in summer are followed by orange-red fruit in early fall that persists well into winter. Dark-green foliage and dense branching that provides shelter, cover and nesting spots for birds, over 40 species of which eat the fruit of winterberries, including bluebirds, brown thrashers, cedar waxwings, flickers, catbirds, mockingbirds and robins.
 Ilex verticilata 'Bonfire' (winterberry)
#2 gal. container: $24.95

Clusters of brilliant small red berries make the branches of these shrubs look like they're on fire. Berries stay on cut stems for a long period of time, making beautiful indoor arrangements.
 Ilex verticilata 'Nana' Red Sprite (winterberry)
#5 gal. container: $32.95

This cultivar is a large-berried, slow-growing, dwarf shrub with an upright, rounded habit growing only 2-3' tall. Glossy green leaves drop in early autumnrevealing the brilliant red fruit. This female winterberry requires a pollinator, but most homeowners will be near enough wild species or neighborhood plants. An excellent food source for local bird populations.
 Ilex verticilata 'Southern Gentleman' (winterberry)
#1 gal. container: $12.95

This male holly will drive your females wild. If you find you need a pollinator for Ilex decidua or Ilex vertilitata, 'Southern Gentleman' will do the trick. Grows 6-9' tall and wide, but can be pruned.
 Sambucus nigra 'Madonna' (variegated elderberry)
#2 gal. container: $24.95

The European relative of our common ditch elderberry, this particular cultivar is a delicate variegated version with green leaves edged in white. Prefers moist soil, and produces large, flat, white flower clusters in late spring followed by purple berries. Smaller in stature than its North American cousin, shrubs grow 3-6' tall and around.
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'
#1 gal. container: $28.95

Probably the best known Japanese maple cultivar, this upright growing, large-leaf variety has excellent red color that holds well into summer. Sunlight is beneficial to the color of this tree, but some afternoon relief from sun can make it easier to establish. Matures to a height of 15-18' with an equal spread. It is a faster growing cultivar than many other types.
Acer palmatum 'Butterfly' ('Kocho niskiki' or 'Kocho no mai' - butterfly or type of dancing girl)
#1 gal. container: $28.95

Green, 5-7 lobed leaves are edged in creamy white which is tinged in pink in spring. In fall, white areas turn magenta. Matures to a height of 9-12' with a spread of 6-9'. This dainty, variegated tree requires protection from direct, hot sunlight.