Tree Quercus × warei 'Long' [sold as Regal Prince®] [Regal Prince Oak] The Regal Prince Oak is notable for its resistance to powdery mildew and borers, strong vertical, columnar form, and tolerance to wind and ice. Holds its dense, fastigiate form into old age.
Liana Reynoutria compacta [Japanese Knotweed] Handsome groundcover with summer color. Adaptable to poor, dry soils. Just a root cutting stuck in poor soil will lead to an aggressive spreading groundcover. Spreads by underground stems; can be very invasive. Fall color not attractive (best to mow it down in the fall).
Shrub Indiana Native Rhus aromatica [Fragrant Sumac] A highly variable species in both ultimate height and fall foliage color. Color probably also varies with soil type, possibly as a function of moisture content. Plants are native to dry, sandy, and rocky soils, and usually color well under these conditions. Useful for bank stabilization since it develops roots on stems touching the soil. It also suckers. Can spread too quickly for some sites (spreading rhizomes). Shear to ground to rejuvenate (try a brush-hog).
Shrub Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low' [Low Growing Fragrant Sumac] 'Gro-low', as the name implies, is a very low-growing (and popular) female cultivar. Rhus aromatica is native to dry, sandy, and rocky soils, and usually colors well under these conditions. Useful for bank stabilization since it develops roots on stems touching the soil. It also suckers. Can spread too quickly for some sites (spreading rhizomes). Shear to ground to rejuvenate (try a brush-hog).
Shrub Rosa × 'Meisentmil' [sold as Lemon Drift®] [Lemon Drift Rose] The Lemon Drift Rose has petite yellow creamy flowers that make this shrub a beautiful statement planting. A great choice as well because the Drift Rose is disease resistant.
Shrub Syringa meyeri [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 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 Syringa pubescens ssp. patula [Manchurian Lilac] Flowers in spring before leaves are fully out. Powdery mildew resistant. Very low maintenance.
Shrub Syringa pubescens ssp. patula 'Miss Kim' [Miss Kim Manchurian Lilac] 'Miss Kim' is known for its prolific fragrant ice-blue flower panicles and more dense, compact habit. Powdery mildew resistant. Very low maintenance. Heat tolerant, so grows better in warmer climates than other lilacs. Also known as Syringa patula 'Miss Kim'.
Tree Syringa reticulata [Japanese Tree Lilac] A very hardy and showy tree. Attractive, cherry-like mahogany-colored bark, distinctly different from all other lilacs. Widely adapted to soils and environments. Cut to ground to rejuvenate completely. Mildew resistant. Subject to infestations of borers and scale insects, but these are not usually serious enough to discourage its use where some maintenance is available. Alternate year flowering on different parts of the tree can sometimes occur, a problem that can be assuaged by deadheading (use…
