Plants

Ligustrum obtusifolium
[Border Privet]

Performs well as an informal hedge, but perhaps too coarse to be a good formal clipped hedge. Extremely tolerant of different soils and climates. Can be coppiced to rejuvenate. Can be invasive by seed.

Tree

Indiana Native

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).

Indiana Native

Tree

Indiana Native

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…

Indiana Native

Liquidambar styraciflua (Shuttle Gum Group)

Tree

Indiana Native

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)…

Indiana Native

InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive

Shrub

Lonicera maackii
[Amur Honeysuckle]

Widely adaptable to different soils and exposures. Can be trained into a small patio tree. Suckers freely, requiring pruning in intensive situations. Seeds, carried by birds, germinate freely, and weed seedlings result. High shade tolerance contributes greatly to its highly invasive character. Perhaps the worst woody weed in the Midwestern and Northwestern US.

Tree

Indiana Native

Maclura pomifera
[Osage-Orange]

Withstands wind and dry conditions well. Used by farmers as a hedgerow for livestock fencing because of its thorniness. Highly deer resistant. Fruits are said to be an insect and rodent repellent. Extremely decay resistant wood, containing 1% by weight 2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxystilbene (a fungitoxic compound). Large fruits create litter problem; select staminate trees to avoid fruit (unless you believe the fruits are of interest). Due to invasive root system, do not plant near sewer or drainage…

Indiana Native

Tree

Indiana Native

Magnolia acuminata
[Cucumbertree Magnolia]

This tree gets it name from the cucumber-looking fruits it bears in the fall. Full sun is best, although it has tolerance for partial shade. Because the roots are thick and fleshy and grow downward more than out, it can be moderately difficult to transplant. Generally trouble-free, but scale can be a problem on occasion. This species may not be ideal for street tree plantings because of a tendency to suffer ice damage.

Indiana Native

Tree

Magnolia × loebneri 'Encore'
[Encore Loebner Magnolia]

Encore Loebner Magnolia has a more rounded, compact habit than the hybrid Magnolia x loebneri, reaching 10-12' in height. This cutlivar has anywhere from 18 to 25 tepals that are pink-tinged at the base. Plant in a protected location to prevent spring frosts from damaging the flowers.

Tree

Magnolia × soulangeana
[Saucer Magnolia]

Many of the showiest magnolia cultivars belong to this species. One of the most common flowering trees in the Midwest, it is apparently well-adapted. Its very early spring flowers can be killed by late frost; they turn brown and limp. Can be troubled by magnolia scale, but this can be kept under control by timely spraying. Fleshy roots with few laterals. Does not transplant well so best to buy container grown plants.

Shrub/Tree

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.