Embracing the Beauty and Durability of Osage Orange at Hornbaker Gardens

At Hornbaker Gardens, we’re always looking for ways to work with the natural beauty around us. One of our favorite local resources is Maclura pomifera, commonly known as Osage Orange. This remarkable tree grows in abundance in our area, and its incredible durability and rot-resistant qualities make it an ideal material for outdoor structures like planters, pergolas, arbors, railings, and retaining walls.

A Hidden Gem in Our Woods

Osage Orange has long been prized for its strength, density, and resistance to decay. Historically, it was used for hedge rows, fence posts and even bow-making by Native Americans. Today, we’re finding new and creative ways to incorporate this wood into our gardens. Unlike much of the commercially available lumber, Osage Orange doesn’t require chemical treatments to withstand the elements. It naturally resists rot and pests, making it a perfect, sustainable choice for outdoor projects.

Crafting Unique & Sturdy Garden Structures

Working with Osage Orange logs has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Each piece has its own unique character, with rich golden hues that age beautifully into a silvery patina over time. The wood’s density makes it a bit of a challenge to work with, but that’s part of the fun! Whether it’s crafting a rustic pergola, a charming arbor, or a sturdy railing, the process of shaping and assembling these structures is both an art and a labor of love. One of my favorite aspects of using Osage Orange is that every project carries a piece of our local landscape into the gardens. These structures blend naturally into the environment, creating a timeless and organic feel that complements the beauty of our gardens.

A Lasting Legacy in the Garden

If you’re considering adding a pergola, arbor, or another outdoor feature to your garden, I can’t recommend Osage Orange enough. Not only is it a durable and eco-friendly material, but it also connects us to the natural history of our region. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about working with wood that has stood the test of time in our local woods. Stop by Hornbaker Gardens to see some of our Osage Orange structures in person. We’d love to share more about this amazing wood and inspire you to bring a bit of its beauty into your own garden!

This year we are offering a variety of Osage Orange that is new to Hornbaker Gardens. Maclura pomifera ‘White Shield’ is a thornless and nearly fruitless variety of Osage Orange that is disease resistant, drought tolerant, and heat loving. It adapts well to poor soils and provides great erosion control, shade, and wind protection. ‘White Shield’ is a hardy low maintenance tree. You can read more and check pricing and availability on our website.

-Dave Hornbaker, Owner and Creative Director