Tree Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' [Purple-Leaf Eastern Redbud] 'Forest Pansy' is a unique and attractive cultivar that has deep purple foliage, which generally fades to a dark, lustrous green in late summer or under drought conditions. Beautiful rose-purple flowers smother the branches in the spring. A fine small tree that is relatively trouble-free and drought-resistant. Requires some protection from the sun in hotter climates, however flowering decreases with deep shade. Canker, leaf spot, and verticillium wilt can be problematic for older trees, or…
Tree Cercis canadensis 'Rubye Atkinson' [Pink Flowering Eastern Redbud] 'Rubye Atkkinson' has strongly pink and slightly smaller flowers, distinctly different from the purplish-pink flowers of the straight species. A fine small tree that is relatively trouble-free and drought-resistant. Requires some protection from the sun in hotter climates, however flowering decreases with deep shade. Canker, leaf spot, and verticillium wilt can be problematic for older trees, or trees weakened by other environmental stresses. Long tap root means that older plants transplant poorly.
Shrub Chaenomeles speciosa [Common Flowering Quince] White, pink, orange, salmon, or red single or double flowers (depending on variant) occur in late April, are born on old wood just before the leaves fully emerge, and occur singly or 2-4 per cluster, creating an excellent dispersal of coloring throughout the shrub. Sparsely produces small, apple-like fruits, commonly called quinces, that are edible if used in preserves; harvest in October. Widely adapted to different soils and microclimates. Place in full sun location for…
Tree Chionanthus virginicus [White Fringetree] Dioecious with male plants showier in flower than females; plant a female if fruits are desired. Plants of known sex are not usually available unless selected in the flowering size. One of the last plants to leaf out in the spring.
Tree Indiana Native Cladrastis kentukea [American Yellowwood] A highly ornamental native tree, even though the pendulous clusters of flowers do not appear in great numbers every year. Well-adapted to Midwest conditions. Develops a tap root. Does not flower fully each year; part of a tree may flower one year, part the next, but the effect is striking even when only certain branches bear flowers. Bees are attracted to the flowers. Flowers appear only after many years from seed. Avoid pruning in spring…
Liana (Climbing Vine) Clematis × jackmanii [Jackman's Clematis] The Jackman Clematis is a hybrid that has flowers with large, rich purple sepals, which develop on new growth. The root system should be kept cool by deep soil preparation and mulching around base. It is said that Clematis prefer "a warm top and a cool bottom". While this is generally true, provide some shade during the day to the top portion for best results. Climbs by twining stems and clasping leaves, so needs a…
Shrub Cornus alba 'Regnzam' [sold as Red Gnome™] [Dwarf Red Twig Tatarian Dogwood] 'Regnzam' is a compact cultivar, also known for its bright red stems and fall foliage. 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 blight can be a problem.
Tree Indiana Native Cornus alternifolia [Pagoda Dogwood] Broad-spreading, low branched, forming stratified tiers, very interesting branching habit. Leaf spot and twig blight/canker can be problem for older trees.
Shrub Indiana Native Cornus amomum [Silky Dogwood] 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. Scale and leaf spot can be a problem. Can appear a bit coarse in the landscape.
Shrub/Tree Cornus officinalis [Japanese Cornel Dogwood] The Japanese Cornel Dogwood is a large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree of oval rounded outline, usually branching to the ground. No serious disease problems, although it sometimes suckers abundantly. These suckers should be removed to control spread; this is especially important if maintaining this plant in tree form. Closely related to Cornus mas, but tends to have more attractive bark, is more open in habit, flowers one to two weeks earlier, and is slightly…
