Plants

Liquidambar styraciflua (Shuttle Gum Group)

[American Sweetgum]

This group of Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum) trees was germinated in August of 1984 aboard the space shuttle Discovery. Purdue astronaut Charles Walker of Bedford, Indiana, brought back 200 tiny trees; these recognize Purdue's many astronauts. Sweetgums are handsome shade trees with few troubles and outstanding seasonal interest. Widely adapted to soils and climates, as evidenced by their wide range. Fall foliage coloration varies greatly in timing and intensity among individuals. Rather difficult to transplant in…

Liriodendron tulipifera

[Tuliptree]

Handsome, tall shade tree with strong central leader. Performs best in good soil with adequate moisture. Variable in hardiness, depending on geographic source. Use native stock when possible. State tree of Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Slightly weak-wooded. Subject to damage in very windy sites. Subject to aphid and scale insects when weakened. Needs good drainage and a lot of soil (tree lawn may be too small). Its poorly branched fleshy root system (taproot)…

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Little Volunteer'

[Little Volunteer Tulip-tree]

'Little Volunteer' is a dwarf cultivar with smaller 4-lobed and flat-topped green leaves. It makes a wonderful street tree with its smaller size in habit, leaf, and flower. While keeping the classic yellow fall color and yellow-orange-green flower as other varieties.

Lonicera sempervirens 'Magnifica'

[Coral Honeysuckle]

Magnolia acuminata

[Cucumbertree Magnolia]

This tree gets it name from the cucumber-looking fruits it bears in the fall. Full sun is best, although it has tolerance for partial shade. Because the roots are thick and fleshy and grow downward more than out, it can be moderately difficult to transplant. Generally trouble-free, but scale can be a problem on occasion. This species may not be ideal for street tree plantings because of a tendency to suffer ice damage.

Magnolia acuminata 'Yellow Bird'

[Yellow Bird Magnolia]

'Yellow Bird' is a cultivar that has a pyramidal habit and is fast growing. Its flowers are almost non-fragrant, yellow with a greenish tinge at the base of outer tepals. Tepals are longer than the straight species, reaching 3" to 4" long. Since it flowers later, flowering is more dependable without the threat of frosts.

Magnolia tripetala

[Umbrella Magnolia]

Full sun or light partial shade. Tropical appearance. Flowers are creamy white with an unpleasant smell. The cone-like rosy red fruit matures in September-October. Endangered in Indiana. Large leaves can be injured by hail or wind. Perhaps too coarse for most landscape situations.

Magnolia virginiana 'Northern Belle'

[Northern Belle Sweetbay Magnolia]

The most cold-hardy evergreen magnolia. Large white blossoms that open with the scent of vanilla. This is great around woodlands and near water, where it still grows in very wet soil. Can take full sun or partial shade. Pests and diseases are almost never a problem and has some resistance to drought.

Magnolia × 'Ann'

[Ann Magnolia]

'Ann' is a cross between M. liliiflora 'Nigra' and M. stellata 'Rosea'. It was developed by the National Arboretum as a part of a hybrid series called the Little Girl series. These plants flower 2-4 weeks later than other Magnolias which reduces risk of damage due to late spring frost. Flowers are slightly fragrant.

Malus domestica 'Flower of Kent'

[The Flower of Kent]

Also known as Isaac Newton's Apple Tree, Flower of Kent is a descendent of the original apple tree that was said to inspire Sir Isaac Newton's theory of gravity.