Tree Indiana Native Carya illinoinensis [Pecan] The Pecan is a tall, straight-trunked tree and is the largest of the hickories. It is well-known for its sweet, edible nuts and because of this, it is an important horticultural crop in the south, where it produces fruit most abundantly. However, it is not generally recommended for use in the landscape, due to its pest susceptibility and litter problem. With its large taproot, it can also be quite difficult to transplant.
Tree Indiana Native Carya laciniosa [Shellbark Hickory] 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 to grow near lowlands or bottomlands where there is more moisture in the soil. The wood from this tree provides…
Tree Indiana Native Carya ovata [Shagbark Hickory] The bark of Carya ovata gives the tree its common name and is characteristically rough and shaggy on mature trees, growing in long flat plates, making especially good winter interest. The wood of this tree is especially hard, making it useful for a variety of products. This tree develops a large taproot, making it difficult to transplant.
Tree Indiana Native Carya tomentosa [Mockernut Hickory] 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.
Tree Indiana Native Castanea dentata [American Chestnut] Highly susceptible to chesnut blight, causing this tree to be nearly extinct in the wild.
Liana (Climbing Vine) Indiana Native Celastrus scandens [American Bittersweet] Sun to partial shade (best flowers in full sun), and tolerant of soil conditions (except wet). Tends to be invasive. Birds are fond of fruits. Tends toward dioeciousness. Female plants need a male pollinator to produce more abundant fruits. Can girdle trees it grows on. Euonymus scale and two-marked treehoppers can cause damage.
Tree Indiana Native Celtis occidentalis [Common Hackberry] As well adapted to Midwestern conditions as American Elm, and a reasonably good substitute in form as well. Especially useful in large-scale situations with dry soils and heavy winds. Subject to a leaf nipple gall (caused by psyllid insect Pachypsylla dismamma, one of many jumping plant lice) and witches'-broom disease (caused by Eriophyid mite), both minor in most situations in the Midwest. Especially coarse texture limits use in designed landscapes.
Shrub Indiana Native Cephalanthus occidentalis [Common Buttonbush] 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 as butterflies. The leaves of the Buttonbush emerge late in the Spring and might look dead until mid-May. Though this…
Shrub Chaenomeles × superba 'Crimson and Gold' [Crimson and Gold Flowering Quince] The Crimson and Gold Quince offers season-round interest. Also the Quince plant produces edit Pear-shaped fruit that is bitter right off the stem but can be used in sweet fall recipes. The Crimson and Gold cultivar shows of it's color with bright red flowers that bloom in Spring. In winter the fruits hold on to the thorny stems after the plant loses it's foliage.
Shrub Indiana Native Clethra alnifolia [Summersweet Clethra] Spreads by underground stems to make large clumps, but can be restrained when necessary. Can be badly infested with mites, especially on dry soils. Can suffer in full sun and/or dry soils, but can bloom well in shade.
