Shrub Salix purpurea 'Canyon Blue' [Canyon Blue Purpleosier Willow] Canyon Blue Purpleosier Willow is very similar to the compact cultivar Nana in its habit and shape. What stands out is its deeper bluish leave color. This is a great choice for wet areas, soil stability, and in rain gardens. Unlike most willows (Salix ssp.), the Purpleosier tends to stay a compacted shrub and will sucker less than others in this genus.
Shrub Salix purpurea 'Nana' [Dwarf Purpleosier Willow] Salix purpurea 'Nana' is a dioecious, compact, rounded shrub well-suited for wet areas, rain gardens, and bank stablizition. Tolerates heavy pruning.
Shrub Sambucus nigra 'Eva' [Sold as Black Lace®] [Black Lace Elderberry] More lacy, fern-textured, dark purple leaves, pale pink flowers, 6 to 8' high; Origin for Black Beauty
Shrub Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess' [Little Princess Spirea] Grows larger and faster than species
Shrub Spiraea × vanhouttei [Vanhoutte Spirea] The Vanhoutte Spirea is a tough shrub with a beautiful, fountain-like habit. In late spring, the long, gracefully arching branches are covered in numerous white flowers. Moderately drought tolerant. May be affected by leaf spot.
Shrub Indiana Native Symphoricarpos albus [Common Snowberry] 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 Syringa × chinensis [Chinese Lilac] Can become ratty in appearance, and so should be pruned properly on 3 year cycle. Problems with aphids, powdery mildew, scales, and caterpillars, although powdery mildew is worst problem.
Shrub Syringa meyeri 'Palibin' [Dwarf Meyer Lilac] Flowers by the time it reaches one foot tall, very floriferous. Flowers in spring before leaves are fully out. Powdery mildew resistant. Very low maintenance. Flowers can be damaged by a late spring freeze. Best to prune immediately after flowering to promote flower buds for the next year.
Shrub/Tree Syringa sp. [Lilac] The Lilac genus, Syringa, is composed of over 20 species and numerous cultivars and variants of shrubs to small trees. The most well-known feature of lilacs is their showy, many times fragrant, flower panicles. Lilacs prefer cooler climates. Leggy plants can be rejuvenated by a hard pruning in the winter, with less intensive maintenance pruning after flowering. Can be affected by powdery mildew, leaf spot, borers, and blight.
Shrub/Tree Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata' [Irish Yew] Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata' is a columnar, female yew with very strongly, upright branches and lustrous, deep green foliage. Tolerant of shade and heavy pruning. Marginally hardy in USDA zone 5. Can be siginificantly damaged by deer.