Shrub/Tree Indiana Native Amelanchier canadensis [Shadblow Serviceberry] Amelanchier canadensis, the Shadblow Serviceberry, tends to be confused with Amelanchier arborea, the Downy Serviceberry, and Amelanchier laevis, the Allegheny Serviceberry. However, A. canadensis, compared to A. arborea and A. laevis, is generally much more shrub-like (often forming thickets), flowers a week later, and produces upright flower clusters (as opposed to the pendulous racemes of A. arborea and A. laevis). The Shadblow Serviceberry is excellent for woodland plantings, naturalizing, and along stream and pond banks.…
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…
Shrub Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop' [Golden Mop Japanese Falsecypress] An attention-grabbing plant, Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop' is a compact, dwarf cultivar of the Sawara Falsecypress. It has bright yellow, drooping, thread-like foliage that retains its color well throughout the year. For best color, place is full sun. A slow grower, this plant can reach up to 5' tall and wide at maturity, but it can take over a decade to reach that point. 'Golden Mop' can grow in average soils, as long as they…
Tree Indiana Native Crataegus viridis [Green Hawthorn] An attractive small tree with beautiful white flower corymbs and bright red persistent fruits. Very adaptable, although leaves are often badly infected by rust so that the entire plant appears to be suffering from the measles.
Tree Indiana Native Diospyros virginiana [Common Persimmon] Most are usually dioecious and have a deep tap root which makes large plants difficult to transplant. Flowers attract bees while the fruit attracts birds and many mammals. The fruit is astringent when green, sweet and edible when ripe. Fruits, twigs, and leaves can be a littler problem.
Tree Diospyros virginiana 'Meader' [Meader Persimmon] Most usually dioecious. Flowers attract bees. Fruit attracts birds and many mammals. The fruit is astringent when green, sweet and edible when ripe. Fruits, twigs, and leaves can be a littler problem. Deep tap root makes large plants difficult to transplant. Can be poisonous to horses. ‘Meader’ is a self-fertile cultivar usually producing fruit after 2-3 years.
Tree Indiana Native Maclura pomifera [Osage-orange] Withstands wind and dry conditions well. Used by farmers as a hedgerow for livestock fencing because of its thorniness. Highly deer resistant. Fruits are said to be an insect and rodent repellent. Extremely decay resistant wood, containing 1% by weight 2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxystilbene (a fungitoxic compound). Large fruits create litter problem; select staminate trees to avoid fruit (unless you believe the fruits are of interest). Due to invasive root system, do not plant near sewer or drainage…
Tree Indiana Native Pinus resinosa [Red Pine] Forms a decent screen when young, especially on poor, dry soils, but soon drops lowers limbs necessitating the need of companion plants to complete the screen. Develops a shorter, thicker trunk when grown in the open. Pine bud moth (as well as other moths) can be problem if not controlled. Foliage presentation not always full or clearly esthetic. Best in groves or plantations where bark color can be admired.
Shrub/Tree Indiana Native Prunus americana [American Red Plum] Common shrub or small tree, often forming large colonies along roadsides, in waste areas, and other uncultivated habitats.
Shrub/Tree Indiana Native Prunus virginiana [Common Chokecherry] The Common Chokecherry can be a suckering small tree or large shrub that produces fragrant white racemes followed by small, purple-black cherries. These fruits can be used for pies, jellies, and jams (do not eat fresh). Suckers must be immediately removed to control growth.