Shrub Buddleia davidii 'White Profusion' [White Profusion Butterfly-Bush] The White Profusion Butterfly-Bush is notable for its densely borne, attractive, fragrant white flowers and long bloom period that can even stretch into October. At up to 6 feet high and wide, this cultivar is smaller than the straight species. The flowers of this tough shrub attract a considerable amount of butterflies. This plant tolerates clay soil, and drought once established, but is not tolerant of wet soils. To maintain vigor and flower size, it…
Tree Calocedrus decurrens [California Incensecedar] The California Incensecedar is a large, handsome plant, excellent for formal plantings. In youth it is distinctly columnar and may develop a more conical habit at maturity. This plant is quite adaptable to different types of soils and is drought and heat tolerant once established. The California Incensecedar is known to be quite long-lived and large in the wild, even over 1000 years old and reaching more than 150' in height.
Tree Calocedrus decurrens 'Columnaris' [Columnar California Incensecedar] The Columnar California Incensecedar is a large, handsome plant, excellent for formal plantings. This cultivar is very narrow-columnar in habit, retaining this form well into maturity. Quite adaptable to different types of soils, this plant is also drought and heat tolerant once established.
Shrub Caragana arborescens [Siberian Peashrub] The Siberian Peashrub is quite a tough and adaptable, nitrogen-fixing plant that can grow in extremely difficult conditions, but it has very limited use ornamentally. Best reserved for tough environments, such as in a windbreak, hedge, or screen.
Tree Carnegiea gigantea [Saguaro] Arms form only after the plant reaches 50 or 60 years old. Plants may live 200 years. The ribs expand or contract depending on the amount of water being stored. Found mostly on gravelly slopes. Gila woodpeckers make their homes in the trunk. Young plants need protection from sun. Transplant readily but more difficult with older plants. State flower of Arizona. Protected. Must be transplanted from construction site. Transplant with same orientation to sun as…
Shrub Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Blue Mist' [Blue Mist Bluebeard] This cultivar blooms in clusters during late summer with vibrant blue flowers. Is often killed to ground in winter, returning to flower in the same year. Functions much like an herbaceous perennial, primarily for flowering interest, blooming on new growth. This hybrid is much hardier than C. incana and much more showy than C. mongholica. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Occasionally kills out completely at the northern edge of its useful range, with tops…
Tree Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea' [Golden Southern Catalpa] The Golden Southern Catalpa can tolerate full sun, but does best in part sun to part shade. This species is weak wooded and should not be placed where it is open to wind and storm damage. 'Aurea' is known for its rich yellow leaf coloration and its broad form. Its flowers are trumpet shaped and white with yellow and purple spots.
Tree Catalpa ovata [Chinese Catalpa] The Chinese Catalpa is smaller than other Catalpa species, generally only reaching 30 feet. It produces attractive yellow-white flowers in the spring, but they are not as ornamental as those of other Catalpa species. Its coarse winter trunk and branches are bold and striking; picturesque, but can be too coarse for many urban landscapes. Best for difficult areas. Wood is rot resistant, but is somewhat brittle so branches can fall in wind and ice storms.…
Tree Indiana Native Catalpa speciosa [Northern Catalpa] Coarse winter trunks and branches are bold and striking; picturesque. Best for difficult areas. Wood is rot resistant, but is somewhat brittle so branches can fall in wind and ice storms. Too coarse of texture for most urban landscapes. Short-lived to about 50 years.
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…
