Tree Cercis canadensis 'Alba' [White Eastern Redbud] 'Alba' is a white-flowering Eastern Redbud ("Whitebud"). Relatively trouble-free and drought-resistant. Requires some protection from the sun in hotter climates, however flowering decreases with deep shade. Canker, leaf spot, and verticillium wilt can be problematic for older trees, or trees weakened by other environmental stresses. Long tap root means that older plants transplant poorly.
Tree Cercis canadensis 'Hearts of Gold' [Gold-Leaf Eastern Redbud] 'Hearts of Gold' is a striking redbud cultivar with reddish-orange tinted emerging leaves that turn bright yellow and finally deepen to a bright green towards the end of the summer. The yellow color develops most intensely under higher light conditions. A fine small tree that is relatively trouble-free and drought-resistant (although the yellow foliage color will become green in drought conditions). Canker, leaf spot, and verticillium wilt can be problematic for older trees, or trees…
Tree Cercis canadensis 'Rubye Atkinson' [Pink Flowering Eastern Redbud] 'Rubye Atkkinson' has strongly pink and slightly smaller flowers, distinctly different from the purplish-pink flowers of the straight species. A fine small tree that is relatively trouble-free and drought-resistant. Requires some protection from the sun in hotter climates, however flowering decreases with deep shade. Canker, leaf spot, and verticillium wilt can be problematic for older trees, or trees weakened by other environmental stresses. Long tap root means that older plants transplant poorly.
Shrub/Tree Cornus mas [Cornelian Cherry Dogwood] Large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree of oval rounded outline, usually branching to the ground. Small yellow flowers are beautiful when borne in mass in the spring. No serious disease problems. Sometimes it suckers abundantly, and these suckers should be removed to control spread; this is especially important if maintaining this plant in tree form.
Tree Corylus colurna [Turkish Filbert] Horizontal branch structure (with lower branches often touching the ground), strong central leader, and bark give good winter character. Does great in hot summers and cold winters, very adaptable. Quite drought tolerant after establishment, leaves stay green when maples scorch. Needs supplemental water immediately after transplanting and until established. Otherwise drought tolerant. Nuts are edible and can be roasted.
Tree Crataegus × 'Vaughn' [Vaughn Hawthorn] This small tree is a hybrid of Crataegus crusgalli x C. phaenopyrum. It is generally grown for its fragrant clusters of white flowers in the spring and prolifically produced red fruits that persist into winter. Due to its numerous thorns, it is best used in areas with low traffic. Highly susceptible to rust.
Shrub Indiana Native Dirca palustris [Leatherwood] Dirca palustris is a small, dense, quite rounded, Indiana native shrub with excellent yellow fall coloration. Although it is generally uncommon in the wild, Leatherwood can be found growing naturally and thriving along the ravines of Turkey Run State Park in Marshall, IN. This plant requires rich, moist, acidic soils and should be protected from intense sun. Leatherwood fruits, bark, and roots are poisonous.
Tree Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea' [Purple-Leaf European Beech] In a proper site, an excellent trouble-free shade tree with year-round interest. More adaptable to hot, dry conditions than our native F. grandifolia, but somewhat less hardy. F. grandifolia is preferred in Zone 4. Like F. grandifolia, this tree is so shallow rooted and casts such heavy shade that grass does not grow well beneath it. Low branching habit is a concern for use in the tree lawn as a street tree (may require more…
Shrub/Tree Indiana Native Forestiera acuminata [Swamp Privet] 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 a dark green and looks evergreen from a glance, yet turns a golden yellow in fall.
Tree Indiana Native Fraxinus quadrangulata [Blue Ash] The Blue Ash earned its common name from the blue dye made by early Americans from the inner bark, which contains a substance that turns blue with exposure to air. This tree is naturally found upland in dry, rocky limestone areas and is very drought tolerant. As with all ashes, Fraxinus quadrangulata is extremely susceptible to the Emerald Ash Borer. Damage from this pest can be prevented with the soil drench method imidacloprid, but the…
