Plants

Quercus shumardii

[Shumard Oak]

The Shumard Oak is a handsome tree that is drought and air pollution tolerant, and but can also be used in rain gardens. Transplanting and establishment can be difficult.

Quercus × warei 'Long' [sold as Regal Prince®]

[Regal Prince Oak]

The Regal Prince Oak is notable for its resistance to powdery mildew and borers, strong vertical, columnar form, and tolerance to wind and ice. Holds its dense, fastigiate form into old age.

Ratibida pinnata [sold as Gray-headed Coneflower]

[Gray-headed Coneflower]

Reynoutria compacta

[Japanese Knotweed]

Handsome groundcover with summer color. Adaptable to poor, dry soils. Just a root cutting stuck in poor soil will lead to an aggressive spreading groundcover. Spreads by underground stems; can be very invasive. Fall color not attractive (best to mow it down in the fall).

Rhamnus cathartica

[Common Buckthorn]

Tolerates most sites. Dioecious. Very invasive, by the seeds that birds love to eat; probably best to refrain from planting this species in the landscape. Susceptible to rusts (Puccinia coronata), that also attacks oats (in oat growing areas, buckthorn eradication is recommended). The bark, leaves, and fruit were once used in purgatives, thus one of this plant's common names, "Purging Buckthorn".

Rhododendron maximum 'Roseum'

[Roseum Rosebay Rhododendron]

'Roseum' requires wind and shade protection, although it is a vigorous grower. Susceptible to a large number of pests and diseases, which can largely be prevented by good cultural practices.

Rhododendron sp.

[Rhododendron]

The massive genus of Rhododendron has between 800 and 900 species and countless hybrids and cultivars of numerous sizes, flower colors, and hardiness levels. Plants of this genus can be evergreen or deciduous. Azaleas are part of the Rhododendron genus.

Rhodotypos scandens

[Black Jetbead]

Relatively trouble-free. Tolerant of a variety of soils and environments, particularly dryness and shade. Commonly becomes straggly if growing in a site that is too dry or too wet.

Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger' [sold as Tiger Eyes®]

[Cutleaf Tiger Eyes Staghorn Sumac]

The Tiger Eyes cultivar makes a great landscape plant as it suckers less than the species, and for it's nice foliage.

Ribes americanum

[American Black Currant]

American Black Currant is a shade and wet soil tolerant shrub species often found in our Indiana woodlands. Small greenish-white flowers bloom in May which leads to dark red to black fruits that ripen in late August/September. When placed in full sun, a brilliant reddish orange fall color is produced but often golden yellow in the fall. The edible fruits are used in jams and jellies and are desirable food source for wildlife. An alternative…