Tree Cornus × rutgersensis 'Rutban' [sold as Aurora®] (Stellar Group) [Aurora Dogwood] The Stellar Series is a collection of hybrids of the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) and the Kousa Dogwood (C. kousa), developed by Dr. Elwin Orton, Jr. of Rutgers University. These vigorous, sterile hybrids are resistant to the Common Dogwood Borer (Synanthedon scitula) and Dogwood Anthracnose (Discula distructiva), which can severly affect the Flowering Dogwood. 'Rutban' is a strongly upright, abundant bloomer with white to creamy-white floral bracts.
Tree Indiana Native Crataegus crus-galli [Cockspur Hawthorn] The strong horizontal branching is good for softening vertical lines of buildings. The 2-3" thorns can be dangerous, especially around children. Although attractive, some find the small, white flowers malodorous. Fireblight, leaf spot, and cedar-hawthorn rust are among the worst problems to affect this species. Japanese beetles like to feed on hawthorns.
Tree Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis 'Cruzam' [sold as Crusader™] [Crusader Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn] This variant of Cockspure Hawthorn is a thornless type. The strong horizontal branching is good for softening vertical lines of buildings. Although attractive, some find the small, white flowers malodorous. Fireblight, leaf spot, and cedar-hawthorn rust are among the worst problems to affect this species. Japanese beetles like to feed on hawthorns.
Tree Indiana Native Crataegus phaenopyrum [Washington Hawthorn] One of the finest small trees for winter color. The 1-3" thorns can be dangerous, especially around children. Fireblight, leaf spot, and cedar-hawthorn rust are among the worst problems, although more trouble-free than many hawthorns. Japanese beetles like to feed on hawthorns.
Tree Halesia carolina [Carolina Silverbell] This small tree is interesting in bloom and rather neutral otherwise, but relatively trouble free and useful in many situations as a neutral background plant, or for its flowers. Best grown as a single stem and allowed to branch low (20-30"). Does not transplant well (a particular problem with field-grown plants).
Tree Halesia carolina 'Arnold Pink' [Pink Carolina Silverbell] This small tree is interesting when in bloom with pink bell-shaped flowers that are larger than the straight species, but this plant is rather neutral otherwise. However, it is relatively trouble free and useful in many situations as a neutral background plant, or for its flowers. Best grown as a single stem and allowed to branch low (20-30"). Does not transplant well (a particular problem with field-grown plants).
Tree Halesia carolina 'Rosea' [Pink Mountain Silverbell] The Pink Mountain Silverbell is interesting in bloom (pale pink flowers), rather neutral otherwise, but relatively trouble free and useful in many situations as a neutral background plant, or for its flowers. Flowers and fruits are larger than the related species H. carolina. Best grown as a single stem and allowed to branch low (20-30"). Does not transplant well (a particular problem with field-grown plants).
Tree Koelreuteria paniculata [Goldenraintree] Colorful small tree in bloom and interesting for its form. Tolerates heat, drought, wind, alkaline soils, and air pollution. Newly emerging leaves can be damaged by late spring freezes. Rather weak-wooded. Can be damaged or killed by –25 degrees F. Invasive in some parts of the country.
Shrub InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive Lonicera maackii [Amur Honeysuckle] Widely adaptable to different soils and exposures. Can be trained into a small patio tree. Suckers freely, requiring pruning in intensive situations. Seeds, carried by birds, germinate freely, and weed seedlings result. High shade tolerance contributes greatly to its highly invasive character. Perhaps the worst woody weed in the Midwestern and Northwestern US.
Tree Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' [Little Gem Southern Magnolia] Though the straight species of Magnolia gradiflora is not hardy in Indiana, 'Little Gem' can be hardy up to zone 6(7). If planted, place in an area that is protected from winter winds and extreme temperature drops, such as an enclosed courtyard. 'Little Gem' is a dwarf cultivar of the Southern Magnolia, ranging from 15' to 20' in height and 10' in width. Typically seen as more of a shrub from, rather than the iconic…
