Plants

Special Characteristics: Uses :  Specimen

Specimen plants are those grown by themselves as focal points in the landscape. They are the opposite of bedding, edging and border plants and are usually something interesting that is planted alone for ornamental effect.

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Cladrastis kentukea
[American Yellowwood]

A highly ornamental native tree, even though the pendulous clusters of flowers do not appear in great numbers every year. Well-adapted to Midwest conditions. Develops a tap root. Does not flower fully each year; part of a tree may flower one year, part the next, but the effect is striking even when only certain branches bear flowers. Bees are attracted to the flowers. Flowers appear only after many years from seed. Avoid pruning in spring…
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Cladrastis kentukea
Tree
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Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkins Pink'
[Perkins Pink American Yellowwood]

Perkins Pink is a beautiful pink-flowering form of the Indiana native, American Yellowwood. A soft pink flowers appear on pendulous, terminal panicals that reach 10 to 15 inches in length in late May to early June. A highly ornamental native tree, even though the pendulous clusters of flowers do not appear in great numbers every year. Well-adapted to Midwest conditions. Develops a tap root. Does not flower fully each year; part of a tree may…
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Liana (Climbing Vine)
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Clematis montana 'Mayleen'
[Mayleen Anemone Clematis]

This is a vigorous twining vine with prolific beautiful soft pink flowers. It is best to prune after flowering, as it flowers on growth from the previous season. The root system should be kept cool by deep soil preparation and mulching around base. It is said that Clematis prefer "a warm top and a cool bottom". While this is generally true, provide some shade during the day to the top portion for best results. Climbs…
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Clematis montana 'Mayleen'
Liana (Climbing Vine)
 InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive
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Clematis terniflora
[Sweetautumn Clematis]

Keeping the root system cool by deep soil preparation and mulch around the base is beneficial. Climbs by twining stems and clasping leaves, so needs trellis or wire support. Extremely vigorous; can engulf an entire structure. Prune out old wood, and dead wood that arises from winter-kill.
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Clematis terniflora
Liana (Climbing Vine)
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Clematis viticella 'Evipo018' [sold as Bourbon™]
[Bourbon Clematis]

The Bourbon Clematis is a small, compact hybrid that has flowers with large, vibrant red sepals, that develop on both new and old growth. The root system should be kept cool by deep soil preparation and mulching around base. It is said that Clematis prefer "a warm top and a cool bottom". While this is generally true, provide some shade during the day to the top portion for best results. Climbs by twining stems and…
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Liana (Climbing Vine)
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Clematis × jackmanii
[Jackman's Clematis]

The Jackman Clematis is a hybrid with large, rich purple sepals that develop on new growth. The root system should be kept cool by deep soil preparation and mulching around the base. It is said that Clematis prefer "a warm top and a cool bottom". While this is generally true, provide some shade to the top portion during the day for the best results. Climbs by twining stems and clasping leaves, so it needs a…
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Clematis × jackmanii
Liana (Climbing Vine)
Purdue Plant Doctor Available

Clematis × 'Warszawska Nike'
[Warsaw Nike Clematis]

The Warsaw Nike Clematis has large, rich, velvety reddish-purple flowers that develop on both old and new growth. The root system should be kept cool by deep soil preparation and mulching around the base. It is said that Clematis prefer "a warm top and a cool bottom". While this is generally true, provide some shade to the top portion during the day for the best results. Climbs by twining stems and clasping leaves, so it…
Purdue Plant Doctor Available
Shrub

Clerodendrum trichotomum
[Harlequin Glorybower]

The Harlequin Glorybower is generally grown as a suckering shrub, but is sometimes trained into tree form. The interesting flowers and fruits of this plant are truly unique and quite attractive, however once the flowering and fruiting are complete for the year, the plant can be quite unkempt, leggy, and coarse. If grown in a USDA hardiness zone less than 7, Clerodendrum trichotomum will die back; in cooler climates it is generally treated as an…
Clerodendrum trichotomum

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