A more refined plant than the parent S. orbiculatus, perhaps more showy in flower and fruit and more useful in the shrub border. Useful as a bank cover or large scale groundcover. Transplants well. This plant has a beautiful fruit show and is shade tolerant, however, it is also a twiggy, “garbage can plant” (collects […]
Very tolerant of soils and environment, except it does not tolerate shade. Can be trained as a standard. May require special support on some surfaces, especially as it becomes large and heavy (could pull down weaker structures). May also require pruning to keep size in check. […]
Tolerates full shade, and requires at least partial shade. Does well under shallow-rooted trees with some irrigation. One of the most effective ground covers in resisting encroachment of weeds. Volutella leaf blight can be problem. […]
One of the strongest-climbing vines, given solid support for attachment of the adhesive discs on tendrils (not root). Not a vine for trellises or fences. Tolerates any soil, and sun or shade. Limited value as groundcover. […]
Beautiful, fragrant purple flowers and foliage. Great plant for fine texture in the front landscape borders. Pruning to the ground every 3 to 4 years keeps the foliage full to the ground and produces uniform, fresh new growth. […]
Large, club-like fruit clusters and rather coarse compound leaves make this a plant that can best be appreciated from a distance, and so it is at its best in large-scale plantings. Picturesque branches. Hard to kill this plant. Can be rejuvenated by cutting to ground in late winter. Plants are dioecious, so only females have […]
The Spicebush is an excellent native shrub for naturalizing or in borders. Tolerant of full shade, although it tends to become leggy in lower light situations. Difficult to transplant; use container-grown plants. Prefers moist soils; not especially drought tolerant. Dioecious. […]
Coarse texture and unusual spirea-like flowers give this plant unique summer interest. Best in large-scale situations. Spreads vigorously by suckering if not contained. Intensive root pruning can be used to control spread. Does not do the best in dry soils but does tolerate them. Does poorly in heavy wind. Flowers turn brown with senescence and […]
Tolerant of heavy shade to full sun except at the northern limits of its useful range, where some protection from full winter sun is necessary. Useful as a groundcover only, not as a vine, in Zone 5b, except hardiest cultivars in sheltered sites. Vigorous and can be a weed problem in certain regions of the […]
Relatively trouble-free. Tolerates dry conditions well (even drier shade). Generally, tops are killed back in severe winters near its limit of hardiness. Mowing to the ground each spring improves aesthetics of the following regrowth. Slow to leaf out in spring. Can be invasive via spreading stolons. Poisonous to animals. […]
The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Physical Facilities Grounds Department