Shrub Ilex glabra 'Compacta' [Compact Inkberry] This hardy cultivar is compact and dense with an oval to rounded habit, but it tends to lose some of its lower branches with age. Ilex glabra, like other hollies, is dioecious, and 'Compacta' is a female cultivar, so plant a male pollinator for fruit set. Withstands severe pruning. Winter desiccation injury to leaves occurs in exposed sites, with severe yellowing when temperatures drop below -20 degrees F. Avoid high pH soils.
Shrub Ilex glabra 'Green Magic' [Green Magic Inkberry] 'Green Magin' is a dense, compact hardy cutlivar that tends to hold on to its lower branches better than many other variants of Ilex glabra. This species, like other hollies, is dioecious, so plant females for fruit and an occasional male for pollination. Withstands severe pruning. Winter desiccation injury to leaves occurs in exposed sites, with severe yellowing when temperatures drop below -20 degrees F. Avoid high pH soils.
Shrub Indiana Native Itea virginica [Virginia Sweetspire] Quite drought and pH tolerant although best situated in moist areas with some acidity. Flowers best in full sun, but is shade tolerant. Pruning sometimes needed to maintain form, primarily for removal of wayward branches. Avoid pruning in late fall or winter as flowers form on previous season's wood. Can be subject to flea beetle and leaf spot.
Shrub Itea virginica 'Henry’s Garnet' [Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire] 'Henry's Garnet' is an excellent cultivar that has larger flowers and more exceptional red and purple fall color when compared to the straight species. Resistant to flea beetle and leaf spot. Quite drought and pH tolerant although best situated in moist areas with some acidity. Flowers best in full sun, but is shade tolerant. Pruning sometimes needed to maintain form, primarily for removal of wayward branches. Avoid pruning in late fall or winter as flowers…
Shrub Itea virginica 'Sprich' [sold as Little Henry™] [Dwarf Virginia Sweetspire] The Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire is a compact, dwarf cultivar that has excellent flowers and fall color. Quite drought and pH tolerant although best situated in moist areas with some acidity. Flowers best in full sun, but is shade tolerant. Pruning sometimes needed to maintain form, primarily for removal of wayward branches. Avoid pruning in late fall or winter as flowers form on previous season's wood. Susceptible to flea beetle and leaf spot.
Shrub Kerria japonica [Japanese Kerria] Fairly adaptable to soils and microclimates, including considerable shade; best out of extremely sunny exposures. Occasionally winter-injured in the north, but otherwise relatively trouble-free. Suckers and spreads slowly. Needs occasional pruning to remove dead branches and renewal pruning to maintain form.
Shrub Kerria japonica 'Golden Guinea' [Golden Guinea Japanese Kerria] 'Golden Guinea' has crisply textured leaves and bears an abundance of large yellow flowers. Fairly adaptable to soils and microclimates, including considerable shade; best out of extremely sunny exposures. Occasionally winter-injured in the north, but otherwise relatively trouble-free. Suckers and spreads slowly. Needs occasional pruning to remove dead branches and renewal pruning to maintain form.
Shrub Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' [Double Japanese Kerria] 'Pleniflora' is a very popular cultivar of Japanese Kerria with its long lasting, bright yellow, double flowers that are nearly spherical, reminiscent of "pom-poms". Fairly adaptable to soils and microclimates, including considerable shade; best out of extremely sunny exposures. Occasionally winter-injured in the north, but otherwise relatively trouble-free. Suckers and spreads slowly. Needs occasional pruning to remove dead branches and renewal pruning to maintain form.
Shrub Indiana Native Lindera benzoin [Spicebush] The Spicebush is an excellent native shrub for naturalizing or in borders. Tolerant of full shade, although it tends to become leggy in lower light situations. Difficult to transplant; use container-grown plants. Prefers moist soils; not especially drought tolerant. Dioecious.
Shrub Lonicera fragrantissima [Winter Honeysuckle] Widely adapted to different soils and exposures. More drought-tolerant, and also not a weed problem, like some other Lonicera. Branches can be forced indoors in winter to provide fragrance. Renewal pruning to a low framework every 5-8 years is helpful to maintain nice form and vigor.
