Plants

Cotinus × 'Grace'

[Grace Smokebush]

'Grace' has become a popular cultivar with its purple emerging leaves and giant panicles of smokey, pink flowers. The "flowers" are actually misty fruiting panicles that give the species its name. The fine-textured hairs on the fruit pedicels and peduncles change colors, being best when tinted smoky pink. Can be pruned to low framework each year to promote plant coloration which occurs best on vigorous stems.

Gleditsia aquatica

[Water Locust]

This native Indiana tree species is found in three southwestern counties near the lower Wabash River. It is often found in wet or ponded locations where there is standing water or high water tables. Not recommended for the landscape as it has large, multi-pronged thorns.  Like its cousin, the honey locust, it has compound leaves, but can be differentiated by its location, much smaller seed pods, and flattened thorns along the branches.

Koelreuteria paniculata

[Goldenraintree]

Colorful small tree in bloom and interesting for its form. Tolerates heat, drought, wind, alkaline soils, and air pollution. Newly emerging leaves can be damaged by late spring freezes. Rather weak-wooded. Can be damaged or killed by –25 degrees F. Invasive in some parts of the country.

Liquidambar styraciflua

[American Sweetgum]

Handsome shade tree with few troubles and outstanding seasonal interest. Widely adapted to soils and climates, as evidenced by its wide range. Fall foliage coloration varies greatly in timing and intensity among individuals. Rather difficult to transplant in large sizes. Varies widely in hardiness. Select native northern stock for use in North. Horned fruits can be a serious litter problem, dulling mower blades and injuring bare feet.  Also see Liquidambar styraciflua (Shuttle Gum Group).

Liquidambar styraciflua (Shuttle Gum Group)

[American Sweetgum]

This group of Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum) trees was germinated in August of 1984 after a mission 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…

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)…

Magnolia virginiana

[Sweetbay Magnolia]

Nice flower fragrance, but never overwhelming. Does well in wet soils, unlike other magnolias. Requires acid soil, some moisture, and tolerates some shade. Chlorosis can sometimes be a problem, especially prevalent on alkaline soils.

Malus × 'Adirondack'

[Adirondack Flowering Crabapple]

The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. This variant has a vase-shaped (somewhat columnar) habit, extremely upright branching, and high resistance to apple scab, fireblight, cedar-apple rust, and powdery mildew. Tends to flower and fruit in alternate years. Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth.

Malus domestica

[Apple Tree]

Malus × 'Indian Magic'

[Indian Magic Flowering Crabapple]

The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. 'Indian Magic' is not as disease resistant as others, being moderately susceptible to scab. Tends to flower and fruit in alternate years. Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth. Can be susceptible to many pests and diseases, including apple scab, fireblight, Japanese beetles, leaf spot, cedar-apple rust, and powdery mildew. May look ragged at…