Shrub/Tree Cotinus obovatus [American Smoketree] Cotinus obovatus can be a large shrub or small tree and is most noted for its extraordinary fall color and fluffy, smoke-like fruiting panicles. It is a tough plant, adapted to poor, rocky, limestone soils.
Shrub/Tree Cotinus × 'Grace' [Grace Smokebush] 'Grace' has become a popular cultivar with its purple emerging leaves and giant panicles of smokey, pink flowers. The "flowers" are actually misty fruiting panicles that give the species its name. The fine-textured hairs on the fruit pedicels and peduncles change colors, being best when tinted smoky pink. Can be pruned to low framework each year to promote plant coloration which occurs best on vigorous stems.
Tree Crataegus × lavalleei [Lavalle Hawthorn] The Lavalle Hawthorn is a small, rounded tree that resulted from a cross of Crataegus mexicana and C. crusgalli. Quite resistant to rust and less thorny than its Cockspur Hawthorn parent.
Shrub Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko' [Dwarf Slender Deutzia] 'Nikko' is a compact, dense, and rounded shrub. Nice in flower as they can cover the plant, and relatively pest free. Branches often killed by cold temperatures in Northern range (or just die back), and then it's often best to cut it back to 6". Renewal pruning every few years can maintain vigor and form. Prune to maintain form by removing old stems, and do so after flowering to encourage best flower show the following…
Shrub Indiana Native Dirca palustris [Leatherwood] Dirca palustris is a small, dense, quite rounded, Indiana native shrub with excellent yellow fall coloration. Although it is generally uncommon in the wild, Leatherwood can be found growing naturally and thriving along the ravines of Turkey Run State Park in Marshall, IN. This plant requires rich, moist, acidic soils and should be protected from intense sun. Leatherwood fruits, bark, and roots are poisonous.
Fern Dryopteris marginalis [Marginal wood fern] This fern is easily grown in average, well drained soils in partial to full shade. It prefers moist, rich, acidic soils with protection from the wind.
Shrub Eleutherococcus sieboldianus 'Variegatus' [Variegated Aralia] This cultivar has attractive, creamy variegated foliage and is more compact than the straight species. Tolerates a wide range of soil and environmental conditions, including dry city conditions and shade. Prickles on stems can make pruning difficult. In poor sites, renewal pruning can improve form. In rich organic soils, renewal pruning can lead to rank growth. Usually dioecious.
Shrub InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive Euonymus alatus 'Compactus' [Dwarf Winged Euonymus] The dense and lower-growing 'Compactus' is one of the most common Winged Euonymus cultivars. Widely tolerant of most soil and microclimatic conditions, but develops good fall foliage color only when exposed to considerable direct sun. Tolerates heavy pruning. Can be troubled by scale insects, although not so frequently as the evergreen euonymus. Fruits are toxic. Avoid very dry or wet sites. Can be invasive, seeding into woodlots.
Shrub/Tree Indiana Native Euonymus atropurpureus [Eastern Wahoo] The Easter Wahoo is an Indiana native shrub/small tree that can be found in open woods or along forest edges and is grown for its attractive red fruits and great fall color. Due to its irregular habit, the Eastern Wahoo can be an issue in the formal landscape, but regular pruning can fix this issue. Far less invasive than the infamous Euonymus alatus (Winged Euonymus or Burning Bush). Flowers are small, rich purple that bloom…
Shrub/Tree Euonymus planipes [Siberian Spindletree] The Siberian Spindletree is a large shrub (or sometimes small tree) that has showy 4-lobed, crimson fruits appearng in late summer followed by handsome red fall color. Plant can be affected by scale.
