Shrub Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' [Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea] The Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea is a very popular cultivar that produces large (much larger than the straight species), upright globular heads of sterile, white flowers in June. Tops usually die back in extreme Northern regions of its hardiness zone (including Zones 4 and 5). However, flowers are on new wood, and they still appear when tops are winter killed, or plants are pruned to ground. Winter killed branches need removal. Not drought tolerant. Poor, coarse…
Shrub Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA1' [sold as Invincibelle® Spirit] [Invincibelle Spirit Smooth Hydrangea] The Invincibelle Spirit Smooth Hydrangea produces large (larger than the straight species), upright globular heads of sterile, pink flowers in June. Tops usually die back in extreme Northern regions of its hardiness zone (including Zones 4 and 5). However, flowers are on new wood, and they still appear when tops are winter killed, or plants are pruned to ground. Winter killed branches need removal. Not drought tolerant. Poor, coarse form in the winter landscape. Many…
Tree Maackia amurensis [sold as Summertime™] [Summertime Amur Maackia] The Summertime Amur Maackia is a small tree with low branches, attractive mottled bark, and upright, creamy flower racemes that appear in the summer. This tree, closely related to Cladrastis kentukea (American Yellowwood), is an adaptable plant that is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Herbaceous Miscanthus sinensis 'NCMS2B' [sold as Bandwidth Japanese Silver Grass ] [Bandwidth Japanese Silver Grass]
Tree Parkinsonia × [Hybrid Palo Verde] Semi-evergreen leaves, and smooth line green trunks and branches year round. Palo Verde means "green stick" in Spanish, and the green bark carries on photosynthesis. Survives in the desert on natural rainfall once established. Few problems. Needs some minor clean up maintenance of flowers and leaves. Prune when young to develop multi-stems and show off the beautiful bark. 'Desert Museum' is a V-shaped thornless hybrid having genetic characteristics indicating complex hybridization between three species, Parkinsonia…
Shrub Indiana Native Robinia hispida var. fertilis [Bristly Locust] Can fix nitrogen. Especially well adapted to poor, dry, alkaline soils. Though native, can be invasive on sandy soils. Frequent pruning may be needed.
Tree Indiana Native Robinia pseudoacacia [Black Locust] Widely variable in form, the most picturesque are straight-trunked with branches abruptly fanning out at the top. Fixes N2. Locust borers are troublesome and difficult to control, but many trees live with them successfully for many years. Leaf minors and permanently wet soils can be problems.
Tree Sophora japonica 'Regent' [Regent Japanese Pagoda Tree] 'Regent' is a cultivar with a fast growth rate, more mass to its oval-round crown, and has deep green glossy leaves. although, It can take up several years before it flowers for the first time.
Tree Styphnolobium japonicum [Japanese Pagodatree] A widely adapted tree with good drought and pollution tolerance, and foliage texture comparable to Gleditsia, but a smaller tree and with more seasonal interest. Relatively trouble-free except for fungi that live in weaker twigs that cause twig blight and canker. Fungi invade most readily those twigs killed by cold or self-pruning. Seeds are poisonous. Difficult to train a central leader. More cold sensitive when young.
