Tree Cornus kousa 'Greensleeves' [Greensleeves Kousa Dogwood] Greensleeves Kousa Dogwood is fast growing, has symmetrical branching, and its flowers remain green, rather than the creamy white of the straight species. Great exfloiating bark, and waxy, dark green leaves also adds interest to this small tree. Greensleeves flowers later in the spring than the Indiana native Flowering Dogwood (C. florida).
Tree Cornus kousa 'Square Dance' [Chinese Dogwood] 'Square Dance' is a cultivar with an upright habit and many bracts that tent to overlap. It also has a present fall color.
Tree Cornus kousa var. chinensis [Chinese Kousa Dogwood] A striking specimen tree flowering later than the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) and differing in having pointed bracts. The variety chinesis has larger flower bracts (up to 2.5" long) than the straight species. Better adapted in cultivation than C. florida in much of the Midwest. For best flowering, place in full sun. Quite resistant to anthracnose. Needs watering during severe droughts. Can get borers but less susceptible to them than C. florida.
Tree Cornus mas 'Golden Glory' [Golden Glory Cornelian Cherry Dogwood] Large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree of oval rounded outline, usually branching to the ground. Small yellow flowers are beautiful when borne in mass in the spring, and 'Golden Glory' is especially floriferous. No serious disease problems. Sometimes it suckers abundantly and these suckers should be removed to control spread; this is especially important if maintaining this plant in tree form.
Shrub/Tree Cornus officinalis [Japanese Cornel Dogwood] The Japanese Cornel Dogwood is a large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree of oval rounded outline, usually branching to the ground. No serious disease problems, although it sometimes suckers abundantly. These suckers should be removed to control spread; this is especially important if maintaining this plant in tree form. Closely related to Cornus mas, but tends to have more attractive bark, is more open in habit, flowers one to two weeks earlier, and is slightly…
Tree Cornus × rutgersensis 'Rutban' [sold as Aurora®] (Stellar Group) [Aurora Dogwood] The Stellar Series is a collection of hybrids of the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) and the Kousa Dogwood (C. kousa), developed by Dr. Elwin Orton, Jr. of Rutgers University. These vigorous, sterile hybrids are resistant to the Common Dogwood Borer (Synanthedon scitula) and Dogwood Anthracnose (Discula distructiva), which can severly affect the Flowering Dogwood. 'Rutban' is a strongly upright, abundant bloomer with white to creamy-white floral bracts.
Tree Crataegus viridis 'Winter King' [Winter King Green Hawthorn] An attractive, nearly thornless vase-shaped small tree with beautiful white flower corymbs and large, bright red persistent fruits. This cultivar was discovered in a fence row by Bob Simpson in Vincennes, Indiana. Very adaptable, although leaves are often badly infected by rust so that the entire plant appears to be suffering from the measles.
Tree Crataegus × 'Vaughn' [Vaughn Hawthorn] This small tree is a hybrid of Crataegus crusgalli x C. phaenopyrum. It is generally grown for its fragrant clusters of white flowers in the spring and prolifically produced red fruits that persist into winter. Due to its numerous thorns, it is best used in areas with low traffic. Highly susceptible to rust.
Shrub Daphne × burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' [Variegated Burkwood Daphne] Requires excellent drainage, relatively low fertility, and consistent moisture. Best in a cool site, on soil with pH near neutral, in partial shade to full sun. Notably difficult to transplant. Sometimes dies suddenly with no warning signs. 'Carol Mackie' is more vigorous than the species type.
Shrub Indiana Native Dasiphora fruticosa [Bush Cinquefoil] Extreme hardiness and long season of bloom make this a favorite in severe climates. Low stature and tolerance of poor, dry soils give it added usefulness in other areas also. Can develop a ragged, unkept habit over time. Remove 1/3 of canes each year (3-year pruning cycle), and consider renewal pruning to a very low framework every 3-5 years if needed.
