Forestiera acuminata

The Swamp Privet is a large shrub typically found near swamps, floodplains, wet woods and marshes. Purple-black fruits (drupes) ripen during late summer and is a food source for water fowl, such as ducks. Forestiera acumunata is dioecious, so one would need a male and female for the shrub to produce its fruit. Leaves are […]

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Prunus pensylvanica

Pin or Wild Red Cherry is a slender, small shrub-like tree that is native to Indiana. Often seen as a pioneer species, Pin Cherry can be seen to develop in vacant areas. Its bark is shiny, red in color, and often aromatic when brusied or cut. P. pensylavnica produces a large amount of fruit when […]

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Ptelea trifoliata

A widely adaptable species which performs best in well-drained soils, can be grown in full sun or even under heavy shade. This plant is susceptible to several leaf spot and even a rust disease, but none are serious. It’s fruit can also be use as a substitute for hops, thus giving rise to one of […]

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Amorpha fruticosa

The Indigobush Amorpha is a Indiana native shrub that can be found along river banks and shallow marshes. This shrub can be planted in areas of poor soil where few other plants will survive, as well as used for erosion control. To avoid weediness, seeds can be collected shortly after flowering as it can spread […]

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Corylus americana

The American Hazelnut is a medium to fast growing shrub and an Indiana native. Being monoecious, the male catkins are 1 1/2 to 3″ long, that emerge yellowish brown and are quite showy in early spring. The female catkins are inconspicuous with its stigma and style barely protruding out of the buds, but the color […]

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Cephalanthus occidentalis

Buttonbush is an Indiana native and a wet-soil tolerant shrub found near marshes, wetlands, and river banks. This is a great choice for those wet areas in the landscape or a featured shrub in your rain garden. The flowers of this shrub are globe-like in shape and bloom from June through August, attracting wildlife such […]

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Quercus marilandica

The Blackjack Oak is a small to medium sized tree with distinct, stout, irregular branches. It is very tolerant of poor, dry conditions, but does not tolerate wet conditions. This oak’s common name is in reference to its dark, blackjack-like leaves. […]

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Carya tomentosa

This tree is found on ridges, dry hills, and slopes but grows best in moist, well-drained soil. The fall color is deep golden yellow to golden brown and persists. Fruit is round to elliptical with a thick husk splitting at the base and contains an edible seed. […]

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Carya laciniosa

This high branching tree has a straight, slender trunk, narrowing crown, and small spreading branches with the lower branches drooping and upper branches ascending. The nut that is produced is sweet and edible. The Shellbark Hickory is similar to C. ovata (Shagbark Hickory) in many respects, except it does not grow as large and tends […]

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Larix laricina

The Eastern Larch, or more commonly referred to as Tamarack, is a cold hardy deciduous pine found in northern portions of Canada, Alaska, and as far south as Minnesota, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. The Tamarack grows in particularly moist soils and is salt tolerant. It grows open and pyramidal with a slender trunk, and has horizontal […]

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