Shrub Indiana Native Hydrangea arborescens [Smooth Hydrangea] The Smooth Hydrangea is an Indiana native found along woodlands and waterways with rocky soils. The flowers of Hydrangea arborescens can be large and heavy, bending stems to the ground. Best used in a shady area or along foundations of buildings for some support. This plant often gets cut back hard to the ground in late winter to maintain a neat look and to promote vigorous flowering the following summer. Hydrangea arborescens is a fast…
Shrub Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' [Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea] The Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea is a very popular cultivar that produces large (much larger than the straight species), upright globular heads of sterile, white flowers in June. Tops usually die back in extreme Northern regions of its hardiness zone (including Zones 4 and 5). However, flowers are on new wood, and they still appear when tops are winter killed, or plants are pruned to ground. Winter killed branches need removal. Not drought tolerant. Poor, coarse…
Shrub Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA1' [sold as Invincibelle® Spirit] [Invincibelle Spirit Smooth Hydrangea] The Invincibelle Spirit Smooth Hydrangea produces large (larger than the straight species), upright globular heads of sterile, pink flowers in June. Tops usually die back in extreme Northern regions of its hardiness zone (including Zones 4 and 5). However, flowers are on new wood, and they still appear when tops are winter killed, or plants are pruned to ground. Winter killed branches need removal. Not drought tolerant. Poor, coarse form in the winter landscape. Many…
Shrub Hydrangea paniculata [Panicle Hydrangea] Very hardy and adaptable plant, difficult to kill. So coarse, the straight species does not always combine well in the landscape. Remove grown flowers late in fall as they are not attractive. Can become straggly and unkempt with age.
Shrub Hydrangea paniculata 'Ilvobo' [sold as Bobo®] [Bobo Panicle Hydrangea] This particular cultivar of the panicle hydrangea is a small deciduous shrub ranging from 6 to 10' in height and known for its spectacular flower show, beginning in July and lasting through September. The flowers begin as a bright and clean white that slowly matures to a reddish purple. Flowers bloom on the current season's growth, so prune late winter into early spring.
Shrub Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' [sold as Limelight®] [Limelight Panicle Hydrangea] 'Limelight' has large, dense, upright flower panicles that emerge white, change to lime-green, then rosey pink, ultimately becoming beige at the very end. Very hardy and adaptable plant, difficult to kill.
Shrub Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva' [Tardiva Panicle Hydrangea] 'Tardiva' has a dense habit and flowers later, in September. Very hardy and adaptable plant, difficult to kill. Remove grown flowers late in fall as they are not attractive.
Shrub Hypericum calycinum [Creeping St. John's Wort] Relatively trouble-free. Tolerates dry conditions well (even drier shade). Generally, tops are killed back in severe winters near its limit of hardiness. Mowing to the ground each spring improves aesthetics of the following regrowth. Slow to leaf out in spring. Can be invasive via spreading stolons. Poisonous to animals.
Shrub Hypericum kalmianum 'Ames' [Ames Kalm St. John's Wort] Hypericum kalmianum 'Ames' is a compact, mounded deciduous shrub that produces attractive, interesting, bright yellow flowers in mid to late summer. 'Ames' is reported to have better winter hardiness than the straight species.
