Shrub Cornus sericea 'Kelseyi' [Dwarf Redosier Dogwood] 'Kelseyi' is a dense dwarf shrub that has red twigs all year round. The stem color is not as strong as that of the species type, but is still attractive. Grows well in a variety of situations, including wet soil. Easy to transplant. Relatively trouble-free. A three-year pruning cycle improves form, vigor, and winter stem color effect. Cutting all stems 6" from ground in late winter has similar effect. Best in mass plantings. Good for…
Shrub/Tree Cotinus coggygria [Common Smokebush] Usually dioecious, so heavy-fruiting clonal material should be used when possible. Can be pruned to low framework each year to promote plant coloration which occurs best on vigorous stems. Misty fruiting panicles give the species its name. The fine-textured hairs on the fruit pedicels and peduncles change colors, being best when tinted smoky pink.
Shrub/Tree Cotinus obovatus [American Smoketree] Cotinus obovatus can be a large shrub or small tree and is most noted for its extraordinary fall color and fluffy, smoke-like fruiting panicles. It is a tough plant, adapted to poor, rocky, limestone soils.
Shrub/Tree Cotinus × 'Grace' [Grace Smokebush] 'Grace' has become a popular cultivar with its purple emerging leaves and giant panicles of smokey, pink flowers. The "flowers" are actually misty fruiting panicles that give the species its name. The fine-textured hairs on the fruit pedicels and peduncles change colors, being best when tinted smoky pink. Can be pruned to low framework each year to promote plant coloration which occurs best on vigorous stems.
Tree Indiana Native Crataegus phaenopyrum [Washington Hawthorn] One of the finest small trees for winter color. The 1-3" thorns can be dangerous, especially around children. Fireblight, leaf spot, and cedar-hawthorn rust are among the worst problems, although more trouble-free than many hawthorns. Japanese beetles like to feed on hawthorns.
Tree Crataegus × mordenensis [Morden Hawthorn] This uncommon plant resulted from a cross between Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet' and C. succulenta'. It has attractive clusters of double flowers and is highly resistant to hawthorn rust.
Shrub Indiana Native Dasiphora fruticosa [Bush Cinquefoil] Extreme hardiness and long season of bloom make this a favorite in severe climates. Low stature and tolerance of poor, dry soils give it added usefulness in other areas also. Can develop a ragged, unkept habit over time. Remove 1/3 of canes each year (3-year pruning cycle), and consider renewal pruning to a very low framework every 3-5 years if needed.
Tree Indiana Native Diospyros virginiana [Common Persimmon] Most are usually dioecious and have a deep tap root which makes large plants difficult to transplant. Flowers attract bees while the fruit attracts birds and many mammals. The fruit is astringent when green, sweet and edible when ripe. Fruits, twigs, and leaves can be a littler problem.
Shrub Indiana Native Euonymus americanus [American Euonymus] The American Euonymus is a small, suckering shrub that is native to the eastern portions for the United States, west to Texas. Normally, the American Euonymus can be found in woodlands and can tolerate deep shade and a wide range of soil types. Its flowers are unsual for Euonymus because of its five-petaled flowers instead of the usual four for most other euonymus species. Other common names, such as Strawberry-bush or Hearts-a-Burstin, are derived from…
