Plants

Liana (Climbing Vine)

Parthenocissus tricuspidata
[Boston Ivy]

One of the strongest-climbing vines, give solid support for attachment of the adhesive discs on tendrils. Not a vine for trellises or fences. Very tolerant of urban soils. Not a good groundcover.

InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive

Tree

Phellodendron amurense
[Amur Corktree]

A striking tree for its interesting bark and massive framework. Widely adaptable to soil, trouble-free, and drought and pollution resistance. Easily transplanted. May be less hardy when young and rapidly growing. Fruits smell like turpentine when crushed (or stepped on). This tree is demonstrating invasive characteristics in suburban and urban fringe forests. It escapes intended plantings to invade and displace native hardwood forests. Note: only female plants have the potential to become invasive. Phellodendron amurense…

Tree

Picea glauca
[White Spruce]

Best in full sun, but tolerates some shade. Withstands heat, cold, drought, wind, and crowding. Often found at the arctic tree line. Slight susceptibility to trunk and root rots, bagworms, sawflies, and mites. Except for its use in the far North, other evergreens have better overall aesthetics for Midwestern and Eastern states.

Shrub/Tree

Picea glauca var. conica
[Dwarf Alberta Spruce]

This commonly available dwarf variety has a very dense, conical habit. Best in full sun, but tolerates some shade. Withstands heat, cold, drought, wind, and crowding. Slight susceptibility to trunk and root rots, bagworms, sawflies, and mites. Except for its use in the far North, other evergreens have better overall aesthetics for Midwestern and Eastern states.

Tree

Picea glauca var. densata
[Black Hills Spruce]

Widely considered a superior form, this variety is denser and more compact with brighter foliage, when compared to the straight species . Best in full sun, but tolerates some shade. Withstands heat, cold, drought, wind, and crowding. Slight susceptibility to trunk and root rots, bagworms, sawflies, and mites.

Tree

Picea orientalis
[Oriental Spruce]

Generally considered a better choice for the landscape than P. abies (Norway Spruce) or P. glauca (White Spruce). Best in cooler climates; does not always tolerate southern heat and humidity well. In order to prevent desiccation and needle browning, protection from harsh winter winds is advisable for plants grown in colder climates.

Tree

Indiana Native

Pinus banksiana
[Jack Pine]

This pine is quite hardy and can grow on poor soil, however, given its scrubby and somewhat unkempt appearance, it is not generally recommended for ornamental use. Pyramidal when young, becoming flat-topped and spreading with maturity.

Indiana Native

Tree

Pinus koraiensis
[Korean Pine]

Often confused with the Swiss Pine (Pinus cembra), the Korean Pine is a slow growing evergreen tree, native to eastern Asia. Pinus koraiensis is noted for its adaptability to many different environments and cold hardy. Its dark green needles have two white stomatal lines which gives the overall color of the needle a blue green. When young, the branching is tight and very pyramidal, which relaxes with age to a more loose pyramidal habit.

Shrub

Pinus mugo 'Valley Cushion'
[Dwarf Mugo Pine]

'Valley Cushion' is a very slow-growing (approximately 1.5" a year) dwarf cultivar that is excellent for rock gardens and bonsai. Can be disfigured by scale insects.