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.
Shrub/Tree Indiana Native Cornus racemosa [Gray Dogwood] The Gray Dogwood is a tough, suckering, deciduous shrub that is native to Indiana and is noted for its small, white flower clusters, white fruits, and persisting red fruit pedicels. Tolerates poor soils (including wet soils), drought, full sun, full shade, and air pollution. Suckers can become a problem if not controlled.
Shrub Indiana Native Cornus sericea [Redosier Dogwood] This plant has red twigs all year round, but the color is especially prominent in winter. 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 6-12" from ground in late winter has similar effect. Best in mass plantings. Excellent for winter color. Leaf blights and twig cankers can be problematic.
Shrub Indiana Native Corylus americana [American Hazelnut] The American Hazelnut is a medium to fast growing shrub and an Indiana native. Being monoecious, the male catkins are 1 1/2 to 3" long, that emerge yellowish brown and are quite showy in early spring. The female catkins are inconspicuous with its stigma and style barely protruding out of the buds, but the color is a rich red. The American Hazelnut is a great large shrub for native restoration projects or adding seasonal interest…
Tree Indiana Native Crataegus mollis [Downy Hawthorn] Quite susceptible to cedar-hawthorn rust, with leaves heavily spotted with orange in some years. Rust limits usage in many areas. Large fruit pose a maintenance issue when they drop.
Tree Indiana Native Crataegus viridis [Green Hawthorn] An attractive small tree with beautiful white flower corymbs and bright red persistent fruits. Very adaptable, although leaves are often badly infected by rust so that the entire plant appears to be suffering from the measles.
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.
Tree Diospyros virginiana 'Meader' [Meader Persimmon] Most usually dioecious. Flowers attract bees. 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. Deep tap root makes large plants difficult to transplant. Can be poisonous to horses. ‘Meader’ is a self-fertile cultivar usually producing fruit after 2-3 years.
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.
