Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sike’s Dwarf' [Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea] A unique plant with attractive flower panicles and coarse, handsome foliage. 'Sike's Dwarf'' is an excellent compact cultivar (up to 3' high and 4' wide) that has smaller leaves and flower panicles than the species type. Tops (including flower buds formed in fall) can die back when winter temperatures go much below – 20 degrees F (often in Zone 6b and colder). Flowers form on previous season's growth. Thus, no flowers will appear in the…
Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowflake' [Double Oakleaf Hydrangea] A unique plant with attractive flower panicles and large, coarse, handsome foliage. 'Snowflake' is a large cultivar (up to 8' high and 10' wide) that has large (up to 15" long) flower panicles of double sterile flowers. Tops (including flower buds formed in fall) can die back when winter temperatures go much below – 20 degrees F (often in Zone 6b and colder). Flowers form on previous season's growth. Thus, no flowers will appear in…
Shrub Hypericum calycinum [Creeping St. John's Wort] Relatively trouble-free. Tolerates dry conditions well (even drier shade). Generally, tops are killed back in severe winters near its limit of hardiness. Mowing to the ground each spring improves aesthetics of the following regrowth. Slow to leaf out in spring. Can be invasive via spreading stolons. Poisonous to animals.
Shrub Ilex crenata 'Hetzii' [Hetz Japanese Holly] This species, like other hollies, is dioecious and 'Hetzii' is a female cultivar that will only be able to produce fruit if there is a male pollinator planted nearby. Nice mounded broadleaf evergreen that holds its color through winter. Withstands severe pruning. Winter desiccation injury to leaves in exposed sites. Spider mites can be serious. Avoid high pH soils as chlorosis may occur.
Shrub Ilex × 'Mesdob' [sold as China Boy®] [China Boy Holly] 'China Boy' is a dense, rounded holly hybrid with lustrous evergreen foliage. This cultivar is male (produces no fruits) and is the pollinator for 'China Girl'. Winter dessication injury to leaves in exposed sites.
Shrub Ilex × meserveae [Meserve Holly] This species, like other hollies, is dioecious, so plant females for fruit and an occasional male for pollination. Winter dessication injury to leaves occurs in exposed sites.
Shrub Ilex × 'Mesog' [sold as China Girl®] [China Girl Holly] 'China Girl' is a dense, rounded holly hybrid with lustrous evergreen foliage. This cultivar is female and 'China Boy' is the pollinator if fruit set is desired. Winter dessication injury to leaves in exposed sites.
Tree Indiana Native Ilex opaca [American Holly] This species, like other hollies, is dioecious, so plant females for fruit and an occasional male for pollination. Winter dessication injury can occur on leaves in exposed sites. Holly leaf miners are one of the major problem pests for Ilex opaca.
Tree 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 dessication injury can occur on leaves in exposed sites. Holly leaf miners are one of the major problem pests for Ilex opaca.
