Tree Indiana Native Carya cordiformis [Bitternut Hickory] Carya cordiformis is naturally found growing in low woodlands and along rivers, streams, and ponds. This is one of the fastest growing of the hickories. The long taproot can make this species difficult to transplant. There are no serious insect or disease threats.
Tree Indiana Native Carya glabra [Pignut Hickory] With its straight trunk and strong, hard wood, the Pignut Hickory is most commonly grown for the lumber industry and is not generally used as an ornamental tree. In the wild, it tends to grow on ridges and hillsides in dry to moist soils. This large tree needs a great deal of room to grow and transplants poorly due to its large taproot. The nuts are generally too bitter for humans to eat, but are…
Tree Indiana Native Carya laciniosa [Shellbark Hickory] This high branching tree has a straight, slender trunk, narrowing crown, and small spreading branches with the lower branches drooping and upper branches ascending. The nut that is produced is sweet and edible. The Shellbark Hickory is similar to C. ovata (Shagbark Hickory) in many respects, except it does not grow as large and tends to grow near lowlands or bottomlands where there is more moisture in the soil. The wood from this tree provides…
Tree Indiana Native Carya ovata [Shagbark Hickory] The bark of Carya ovata gives the tree its common name and is characteristically rough and shaggy on mature trees, growing in long flat plates, making especially good winter interest. The wood of this tree is especially hard, making it useful for a variety of products. This tree develops a large taproot, making it difficult to transplant.
Tree Indiana Native Carya tomentosa [Mockernut Hickory] This tree is found on ridges, dry hills, and slopes but grows best in moist, well-drained soil. The fall color is deep golden yellow to golden brown and persists. Fruit is round to elliptical with a thick husk splitting at the base and contains an edible seed.
Shrub Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Longwood Blue' [Longwood Blue Bluebeard] This deciduous shrub is known for it's showy purple-blue flowers that bloom in spikey clusters, terminal and axillary clusters. Sources say that these clusters resemble blue smoke or mist resulting in its nickname Blue Mist.
Shrub Indiana Native Ceanothus americanus [New Jersey Tea] New Jersey Tea is a native prairie plant that has thick, deep-reaching, red roots (which can even grow up to 8" in diameter), making it very drought tolerant, but also difficult to transplant. This small, compact shrub is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen and is quite adaptable, not only tolerating drought, but different soil types as well. It is even capable of growing in sandy and rocky soils. The leaves of New Jersey Tea were…
Tree 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…
Liana (Climbing Vine) Indiana Native Celastrus scandens [American Bittersweet] Sun to partial shade (best flowers in full sun), and tolerant of soil conditions (except wet). Tends to be invasive. Birds are fond of fruits. Tends toward dioeciousness. Female plants need a male pollinator to produce more abundant fruits. Can girdle trees it grows on. Euonymus scale and two-marked treehoppers can cause damage.
Tree Indiana Native Celtis laevigata [Sugar Hackberry] The Sugar Hackberry is very similar to the Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) and is especially useful in large-scale situations with dry soils and heavy winds. This species gained its common name from the juicy, sweet berries it produces. Subject to a leaf nipple gall (caused by psyllid insect Pachypsylla dismamma, one of many jumping plant lice). However, the Sugar Hackberry is more resistant to witches'-broom disease (caused by Eriophyid mite) than the Common Hackberry. Especially…
