Shrub Indiana Native Ribes americanum [American Black Currant] American Black Currant is a shade and wet soil tolerant shrub species often found in our Indiana woodlands. Small greenish-white flowers bloom in May which leads to dark red to black fruits that ripen in late August/September. When placed in full sun, a brilliant reddish orange fall color is produced but often golden yellow in the fall. The edible fruits are used in jams and jellies and are desirable food source for wildlife. An alternative…
Shrub Rosa × 'Bucbi' [sold as Carefree Beauty™] [Carefree Beauty Rose] Carefree Beauty is a lower maintenance, compact rose with fragrant, semi-double pink flowers from June to frost. While this rose has some resistance to powdery mildew and blackspot, good cultural practices are still important. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering, place the plant in an area with good air circulation, and remove dead or diseased plant matter as soon as possible. Branches are covered with thorns, making pruning difficult.
Shrub Rosa rugosa [Rugosa Rose] Widely adapted to soils and exposures, but especially good in full sun on dry soils. Relatively trouble-free among roses, even resists the common rose pathogens and phytopagous insects. The hips (rose fruits) are a rich source of vitamin C and used commercially in teas. Can get borers in canes (rarely). Good cultural practices are important for roses in order to prevent disease and other pests. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering, place the plant in…
Shrub Indiana Native Rubus occidentalis [Black Raspberry] This thorny shrub is an Indiana native found along woodland edges. Although its natural habit is spreading, the Black Raspberry can be cut back to the ground to allow control of the spread and rejuvenation. The fruits of the Black Raspberry are sweet yet a bit tart, becoming a commercial commodity in parts of the United States. Best use in the landscape would be property boarders and erosion control. Best growth in part shade and…
Shrub Indiana Native Rubus odoratus [Flowering Raspberry] The Flowering Raspberry offers great texture into the landscape with its exfoliating bark during the winter months and its large course leaves during the summer months. Its rich, pink-purple flowers begin to bloom in early June, offering fragrance and color. The flowers and fruits often attract birds and other wildlife, including butterflies and bees.
Shrub Indiana Native Sambucus canadensis [American Elderberry] This plant is known most for its fruits, which have a high Vitamin C content and are attractive to both people and wildlife. The berry-like fruits are popular for making wine, juice, jellies, preserves, and pie. However, this plant is not generally advised for use in the landscape due to its excessive suckering and difficult to maintain form (can become quite unkempt). Very tolerant of various environmental conditions.
Shrub Staphylea colchica [Colchris Bladdernut] The Colchris Bladdernut is a medium sized shrub, native to the Eurasian Caucasus mountain system, in eastern Europe. Its flowers are white, bell-shaped, and very fragrant, reminding one of orange-blossoms. Its fruit gives this plant its common name, appearing as an inflated capsule. This shrub tends to sucker once established.
Tree Styrax japonicus [Japanese Snowbell] Relatively trouble-free. Can be susceptible to Ambrosia beetle and canker. Partial shade best in Zones 7 and 8 due to heat intolerance.
Shrub Symphoricarpos × chenaultii [Chenault Coralberry] A more refined plant than the parent S. orbiculatus, perhaps more showy in flower and fruit and more useful in the shrub border. Useful as a bank cover or large scale groundcover. Transplants well. This plant has a beautiful fruit show and is shade tolerant, however, it is also a twiggy, "garbage can plant" (collects leaves and blowing debris); this quality (especially prominent in the fall and winter) limits its usability in the landscape.
Shrub Symphoricarpos × chenaultii 'Hancock' [Dwarf Chenault Coralberry] 'Hancock' is a low-growing, wide spreading dwarf cultivar of the Chenault Coralberry that is useful as a groundcover and for erosion control. Transplants well. This plant has a beautiful fruit show and is shade tolerant, however, it is also a "garbage can plant" (collects leaves and blowing debris). 'Hancock' appears to have less of a problem with this than the species type, though.
