Plants

Betula papyrifera

[Paper Birch]

Cedrus libani ssp. stenocoma 'Purdue Hardy'

[Cedar of Lebanon]

Widely adaptable, the Cedar of Lebanon was considered hardy from Zone 7 southward until hardy strains were imported from higher elevations in Asia Minor, beginning with the Arnold Arboretum expedition in 1903. The Cedar of Lebanon prefers pollution-free, open, and sunny areas. It is difficult to transplant and is not tolerant of air pollution or shade. This tree is also very difficult to propagate from cuttings (i.e. asexually). It is the most cold-hardy of the…

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Gracilis'

[Slender Hinoki False Cypress]

Ilex opaca

[American Holly]

This species, like other hollies, is dioecious, so plant females for fruit and an occasional male for pollination. Winter desiccation injury can occur on leaves in exposed sites. Holly leaf miners are one of the major pest problems for Ilex opaca.

Ilex opaca 'Old Heavy Berry'

[Old Heavy Berry American Holly]

'Old Heavy Berry' is an excellent, vigorous female cultivar with good winter hardiness and an abundance of large, bright red fruits. This species, like other hollies, is dioecious, so plant females for fruit and an occasional male for pollination. Winter desiccation injury can occur on leaves in exposed sites. Holly leaf miners are one of the major pest problems for Ilex opaca.

Juniperus chinensis 'Mountbatten'

[Mountbatten Chinese Juniper]

'Mountbatten' is a hardy, dense, and narrow cultivar with silver-green needles. Widely adaptable to soils and climates. Tolerates alkaline soils, heat, and drought. Members of this species are used from New England to Minnesota to Louisiana. Phomopsis and Kabatina blights can be a serious problem in some areas, especially for small plants.

Juniperus scopulorum 'Wichita Blue'

[Wichita Blue Juniper]

Juniperus virginiana

[Eastern Redcedar]

Widely adapted to soils and climates, as evidenced by the species' wide geographic range. Does well in alkaline soils, but not wet soils. Alternate host for cedar-apple rust disease. Plant other juniper species in areas having many apples, hawthorns, etc. Susceptible to bagworms.

Larix decidua

[European Larch]

A deciduous conifer. Needs sun and good soil moisture. Does poorly on dry or chalky soil. Tolerates wet soil. A few insect pests can be problems, most notably, the larch case-bearer.

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

[Little Gem Southern Magnolia]

Though the straight species of Magnolia gradiflora is not hardy in Indiana, 'Little Gem' can be hardy up to zone 6(7). If planted, place in an area that is protected from winter winds and extreme temperature drops, such as an enclosed courtyard. 'Little Gem' is a dwarf cultivar of the Southern Magnolia, ranging from 15' to 20' in height and 10' in width. Typically seen as more of a shrub from, rather than the iconic…