Plants

Shrub

Clethra alnifolia 'Compacta'
[Compact Summersweet Clethra]

Only growing to 2-4' high and wide, Clethra alnifolia 'Compacta' is denser and more compact than the straight species. This plant can suffer in full sun and/or dry soils, but can bloom well in shade.

Shrub

Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird'
[Hummingbird Summersweet Clethra]

Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' is an award-winning shrub with abundant, beautfiul and fragrant white flower spikes. However, the habit eventually tends to flop and appear unkempt. It spreads by underground stems to make large clumps, but can be restrained when necessary. This plant can suffer in full sun and/or dry soils, but can bloom well in shade.

Shrub/Tree

Indiana Native

Cornus racemosa
[Gray Dogwood]

The Gray Dogwood is a tough, suckering, deciduous shrub that is native to Indiana and is noted for its small, white flower clusters, white fruits, and persisting red fruit pedicels. Tolerates poor soils (including wet soils), drought, full sun, full shade, and air pollution. Suckers can become a problem if not controlled.

Indiana Native

Shrub

Indiana Native

Dirca palustris
[Leatherwood]

Dirca palustris is a small, dense, quite rounded, Indiana native shrub with excellent yellow fall coloration. Although it is generally uncommon in the wild, Leatherwood can be found growing naturally and thriving along the ravines of Turkey Run State Park in Marshall, IN. This plant requires rich, moist, acidic soils and should be protected from intense sun. Leatherwood fruits, bark, and roots are poisonous.

Indiana Native

Fern

Dryopteris marginalis
[Marginal wood fern]

This fern is easily grown in average, well drained soils in partial to full shade. It prefers moist, rich, acidic soils with protection from the wind.

Shrub

Eleutherococcus sieboldianus
[Fiveleaf Aralia]

Tolerates a wide range of soil and environmental conditions, including dry city conditions and shade. Little seasonal interest other than foliage, but extremely durable shrub. Prickles on stems can make pruning difficult. In poor sites, renewal pruning can improve form. In rich organic soils, renewal pruning can lead to rank growth. Usually dioecious.

InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive

Liana (Climbing Vine)

Euonymus fortunei
[Wintercreeper Euonymus]

Best in soil that is reasonably moist, either in full sun or shade, but not heavy wet soils. Can be used as a wall climber (possibly climbing up to 70') or groundcover. Subject to Euonymus Scale that can kill some plants, especially 'Vegetus' and 'Coloratus'. Euonymus fortunei is a vigorous vine that invades forest openings and margins. It grows across the ground, displacing herbaceous plants and seedlings and climbs trees high into the tree canopy…

InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive

Liana (Climbing Vine)

Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus'
[Coloratus Wintercreeper Euonymus]

Can tolerate full sun to full shade. Best in soil that is reasonably moist, but not heavy or wet. Can be used as a wall climber, but is best as a groundcover. This vigorous form turns purplish-plum during the winter months. Can be subject to Euonymus Scale. Euonymus fortunei is a vigorous vine that invades forest openings and margins. It grows across the ground, displacing herbaceous plants and seedlings and climbs trees high into the…

Shrub

Euonymus fortunei 'Vegetus'
[Vegetus Wintercreeper Euonymus]

This cultivar has a more shrub-like habit than the species type, but can be moderately effective as a groundcover or wall climber. Also much heavier fruiting than the straight species; the fruiting display can be quite attractive, if fruits are borne in high enough numbers. Very susceptible to Euonymus Scale.