Plants

Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima'

[Brilliant Red Chokeberry]

The Brilliant Red Chokeberry has dark green leaves that turn a stunning deep red in the fall. 'Brilliant' produces larger and more abundant flowers and a greater number of red berries than the species type. Because birds find the fruits unappealing, the berries are allowed to persist well into the winter months. This plant tends to sucker and create colonies.

Aronia melanocarpa

[Black Chokeberry]

This Indiana native shrub is similar to the Red Chokeberry in habit and form, but differs in that the Black Chokeberry is larger, has black-colored fruits, broader leaves, and generally larger flowers. Place in a higher light location for the best flower and fruit display. Best used for naturalizing, mass plantings, and wetland reclamation projects. The berries are edible, but only palatable when used in jellies and jams.

Baptisia 'Cherries Jubilee' [sold as Decadence Vanilla Cream]

[DECADENCE® ‘Vanilla Cream’ Baptisia]

Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea 'Crimson Pygmy'

[Red Dwarf Japanese Barberry]

The Red Dwarf Japanese Barberry is exceedingly popular due to its dense, low growing form, brilliant foliage, and tolerance to tough urban conditions. For the best leaf coloration, place in full sun. This plant tolerates dry soils, but will suffer in wet, poorly drained soils.

Betula papyrifera 'Renci' [sold as Renaissance Reflection®]

[Renaissance Reflection Paper Birch]

Betula papyrifera 'Renci' is faster growing and more heat resistant than the straight species. This tree requires full sun and is not suitable for poor or polluted city conditions.

Betula populifolia

[Gray Birch]

Beautiful white bark, although becomes dirty gray with age. Does well on the poorest of sterile soils, seeds, and suckers quickly. Grows on sandy, rocky and even gravelly sites. Tolerates both wet and dry conditions. Prefers full sun. Susceptible to leaf miner and cankers; more resistant to the bronze birch borer. Leaf minors especially problematic.

Calycanthus floridus 'Aphrodite'

[Aphrodite Sweetshrub]

'Aphrodite' has an upright form with deep red flowers. The flowers are fragrant and large and bloom throughout the summer season. Large bright green leaves, can grow to be bigger than a human hand.

Carpinus betulus 'Columnaris'

[Columnar European Hornbeam]

Carpinus betulus is relatively trouble-free and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and some shade. This plant is also very tolerant of heavy pruning, making it useful as a hedge. The cultivar 'Columnaris' is a narrow, columnar cultivar that is slow-growing with densely set branches and leaves.

Castanea mollissima

[Chinese Chestnut]

Overall tough and durable, but can be susceptible to blight, twig canker, and orient chestnut wasp. Also susceptible to weevils, which damages the roots. Prefers well-drained, loamy soils, full sun, and hot, arid conditions.

Catalpa speciosa

[Northern Catalpa]

Coarse winter trunks and branches are bold and striking; picturesque. Best for difficult areas. Wood is rot resistant, but is somewhat brittle so branches can fall in wind and ice storms. Too coarse of texture for most urban landscapes. Short-lived to about 50 years.