Shrub Indiana Native Cephalanthus occidentalis [Common Buttonbush] Buttonbush is an Indiana native and a wet-soil tolerant shrub found near marshes, wetlands, and river banks. This is a great choice for those wet areas in the landscape or a featured shrub in your rain garden. The flowers of this shrub are globe-like in shape and bloom from June through August, attracting wildlife such as butterflies. The leaves of the Buttonbush emerge late in the Spring and might look dead until mid-May. Though this…
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 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.
Shrub InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive Euonymus alatus [Winged Euonymus] 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.
Tree Indiana Native Gymnocladus dioicus [Kentucky Coffeetree] Gymnocladus dioicus is a large deciduous tree with strong winter character from the branches and bark. Drops pods (female trees) and twigs, frequently causing litter problem, thus eliminating the straight species as a good street tree. Seeds were once used by US settlers as a coffee substitute, however pulp and seeds are toxic when not properly and completely roasted.
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 Nerium oleander [Oleander] Has high salt and wind tolerance, and is somewhat drought tolerant. Excellent visual barrier. All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans, even smoke is a serious irritant. Oleander caterpillar can be a problem. Many cultivars, including 'Hardy Red,' which has red flowers and is hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tree Styphnolobium japonicum [Japanese Pagodatree] A widely adapted tree with good drought and pollution tolerance, and foliage texture comparable to Gleditsia, but a smaller tree and with more seasonal interest. Relatively trouble-free except for fungi that live in weaker twigs that cause twig blight and canker. Fungi invade most readily those twigs killed by cold or self-pruning. Seeds are poisonous. Difficult to train a central leader. More cold sensitive when young.
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.
Shrub/Tree Taxus cuspidata [Japanese Yew] Very functional and durable broad-columnar tree or multi-stemmed shrub. Dioecious. Tolerates shade and heavy pruning. Bark peels on older specimens. All parts of Taxus, except the fleshy, red aril are poisonous. Can be siginificantly damaged by deer.
