Shrub Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' [Red Sprite Common Winterberry] 'Red Sprite' is compact, dense and rounded with an excellent show of large, bright red berries in winter. Fruiting color best in full sun. This species, like other hollies, is dioecious, and 'Red Sprite' is female. Plant this cultivar for fruit and an occasional male, such as 'Jim Dandy' or 'Appollo' for pollination. Adaptable to wet soils, but tolerates more normal conditions also. Native habitats are swampy areas. Leaf spot and mildew can be serious…
Tree Indiana Native Juglans cinerea [Butternut] Juglans cinera is a large, rounded tree similar to, but overall smaller than the Black Walnut (Juglans nigra). It is not commonly grown for ornamental purposes. The nut, once one is able to crack the hard shell, is edible, sweet, oily, and buttery. Long tap root makes transplanting difficult. This species is valued for its wood and between overharvesting and losses from Butternut Canker (Sirococcus clavigignenti-juglandacearum), this species has become rare in its native habitat.
Tree Indiana Native Juglans nigra [Black Walnut] Nuts are a serious litter problem, staining sidewalks and driveways. Juglone (found in leaf litter and possibly roots) is toxic to many plants, like tomatoes, blackberries, red pines, and many others. Black Walnut wood is valuable and has a variety of commercial uses, especially for furniture.
Shrub Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific' [Blue Pacific Shore Juniper] Blue Pacific Shore Juniper is a low growing shrub that typically grows 1 to 2 inches in height, making this shrub a great choice for an evergreen groundcover. Needles are slightly shorter and more dense than the straight species, as well as being slightly more hardy that the straight species. Foliage has been described as having an ocean-blue color to its needles, hence its cultivar name. Adapts well to poor soils, sandy soils, and salt.…
Shrub Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' [Blue Star Singleseed Juniper] 'Blue Star' is low, dense, and mounded with handsome silvery blue-green foliage. This plant gained its common name from the single seed borne by each cone. Widely adapted to soils and climates. Does well in alkaline soils, but not wet soils. Susceptible to bagworms.
Shrub/Tree Juniperus virginiana 'Hillii' [Hill Eastern Redcedar] 'Hillii' is a dense, columnar cultivar with foliage that becomes distinctly purple in the winter. Widely adapted to soils and climates. Does well in alkaline soils, but not wet soils. Alternate host for cedar-apple rust disease. Plant other juniper species in areas having many apples, hawthorns, etc. Susceptible to bagworms.
Shrub Kalmia latifolia [Mountain-laurel] Mountain-laurel is an Ericaceous broadleaf evergreen shrub with an abundance of interesting flower buds and stunning flowers in the spring. Site and exposure requirements similar to Rhododendron, that is, acidic, well drained soil and at least light protection from afternoon sun in winter for best results. Mulch to keep roots cool. Hardiness varies widely with geographic source of genetic material. Does not tolerate extremely dry conditions. Flowering is reduced by shade, but deadheading enhances flowering…
Shrub Kalmia latifolia 'Elf' [Elf Mountain-laurel] The Elf Mountain-laurel is a dwarf broadleaf evergreen shrub with an abundance of interesting flower buds and stunning flowers. Site and exposure requirements similar to Rhododendron, that is, acidic, well drained soil and at least light protection from afternoon sun in winter for best results. Mulch to keep roots cool. Hardiness varies widely with geographic source of genetic material. Does not tolerate extremely dry conditions. Flowering is reduced by shade, but deadheading enhances flowering for…
Shrub Kalmia latifolia 'Minuet' [Minuet Mountain-laurel] The Minuet Mountain-laurel is a dwarf broadleaf evergreen shrub with an abundance of interesting flower buds and stunning flowers. Site and exposure requirements similar to Rhododendron, that is, acidic, well drained soil and at least light protection from afternoon sun in winter for best results. Mulch to keep roots cool. Hardiness varies widely with geographic source of genetic material. Does not tolerate extremely dry conditions. Flowering is reduced by shade, but deadheading enhances flowering for…
Tree Indiana Native Larix laricina [Eastern Larch] The Eastern Larch, or more commonly referred to as Tamarack, is a cold hardy deciduous pine found in northern portions of Canada, Alaska, and as far south as Minnesota, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. The Tamarack grows in particularly moist soils and is salt tolerant. It grows open and pyramidal with a slender trunk, and has horizontal and drooping branchlets. During the fall, its soft, blueish-green needle-like leaves turn a rich, golden color. This tree does best…
