Shrub Buxus 'Glencoe' [Chicagoland Green Buxus] Low maintenance cultivar popularized in Illinois through partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden. Broad mounded shrub that is a fast grower in full sun.
Shrub Buxus 'Green Gem' [Green Gem Boxwood] This species is a hybrid of Buxus sinica and Buxus sempervirens and is described as a perfect round ball. Hardier than var. insularis 'Winter Beauty'. Requires little prunning and shearing. Avoid cultivating around plants because they have a shallow root. Roots appreciate a good mulch ( 1-2"). Thin plants and remove damaged branches annually to improve air circulation. Buxus X 'Green Gem' is best suited to a sheltered lacation which protects it in the winter…
Shrub Buxus sinica var. insularis 'Wintergreen' [Wintergreen Korean Littleleaf Boxwood] The Wintergreen Korean Littleleaf Boxwood is quite hardy (to zone 4) and grows best when placed in areas of moderate shade that are away from strong winter sun and wind. It has shallow roots and prefers moist, cool soils. This shrub flowers in April; flowers can attract bees due to the fragrance but are not showy.
Herbaceous Calamintha nepeta 'Montrose White' [Montrose White Calamint] Easily grown in slightly acidic, dry to medium moisture, well drained soils in full sun. It does however tolerate drought although it prefers evenly moist soils. After the plant has flowered cut back the plants to remove unsightly foliage and/or to simply prevent any unwanted self-seeding.
Shrub Calycanthus floridus [Common Sweetshrub] The Common Sweetshrub was one of the first native plants in the US used as an ornamental. Widely adapted to soil and sun or shade. Certain selections can permeate an area with fragrance. Can be forced for indoor fragrance. Not all plants have equally fragrant flowers; don't use seed propagated plants for that reason. Seeds are poisonous, causing convulsions, myocardial depression, and hypotension.
Shrub Calycanthus floridus 'Aphrodite' [Aphrodite Sweetshrub] 'Aphrodite' has an upright form with deep red flowers. The flowers are fragrant and large and bloom throughout the summer season. Large bright green leaves, can grow to be bigger than a human hand.
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…
Tree Indiana Native Carpinus caroliniana [American Hornbeam] A clean, trouble-free small tree, useful in intensive situations such as patios and malls, and equally interesting in naturalized plantings. Useful as a large hedge if coppiced when young. Performs well in heavy shade and tolerates periodic flooding. Difficult to transplant. Move balled-and-burlapped for best results. Sometimes called Blue Beech and Ironwood (although these are best not used).
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…
