Shrub Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' [Yellow Twig Redosier Dogwood] 'Flaviramea' has yellow twigs that are especially prominent in winter. High susceptibility to canker. Grows well in a variety of situations, including wet soil. Easy to transplant. Relatively trouble-free. A three-year pruning cycle improves form, vigor, and winter stem color effect. Cutting all stems 6-12" from ground in late winter has similar effect. Best in mass plantings. Excellent for winter color. Leaf blights and twig cankers can be problematic.
Shrub Cornus sericea 'Kelseyi' [Dwarf Redosier Dogwood] 'Kelseyi' is a dense dwarf shrub that has red twigs all year round. The stem color is not as strong as that of the species type, but is still attractive. Grows well in a variety of situations, including wet soil. Easy to transplant. Relatively trouble-free. A three-year pruning cycle improves form, vigor, and winter stem color effect. Cutting all stems 6" from ground in late winter has similar effect. Best in mass plantings. Good for…
Shrub Corylus avellana 'Contorta' [Harry Lauder's Walkingstick] This unique shrub provides excellent winter interest with its strongly twisting, contorted branches. Usually grown in grafted form, so it is important to immediately remove any root suckers.
Shrub Cotoneaster apiculatus [Cranberry Cotoneaster] An excellent groundcover for full sun in almost any soil, except that weeds encroach easily for the first few years. Use effective mulch. Subject to damage from fireblight occasionally, and from mites, especially in dry situations. Not tolerant of wet sites. Collects litter and leaves (in the fall), which are difficult to rake out.
Shrub Cotoneaster dammeri 'Coral Beauty' [Coral Beauty Bearberry Cotoneaster] 'Coral Beauty' is a fast-growing, prostrate (1-2' high), evergreen shrub that makes a good, quick-effect groundcover. It has excellent, glossy evergreen foliage and produces an abundance of coral-red fruits. Unfortunately its appearance tends to become ratty with age.
Shrub Cotoneaster divaricatus [Spreading Cotoneaster] One of the most ornamental and trouble-free of the cotoneasters, although subject to the troubles of Rosaceous plants on occasion. These include lacebugs, scale, mites, and fireblight, but they are not usually a serious problem.
Shrub Cotoneaster horizontalis [Rockspray Cotoneaster] C. horizontalis is a low, flat, dense shrub with horizontally spreading branches creating a tiered effect. A generally trouble-free cotoneaster, although can be subject to the troubles of Rosaceous plants on occasion. Fireblight is more problematic for this species in the South.
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 Indiana Native Crataegus viridis [Green Hawthorn] An attractive small tree with beautiful white flower corymbs and bright red persistent fruits. Very adaptable, although leaves are often badly infected by rust so that the entire plant appears to be suffering from the measles.
Tree Crataegus viridis 'Winter King' [Winter King Green Hawthorn] An attractive, nearly thornless vase-shaped small tree with beautiful white flower corymbs and large, bright red persistent fruits. This cultivar was discovered in a fence row by Bob Simpson in Vincennes, Indiana. Very adaptable, although leaves are often badly infected by rust so that the entire plant appears to be suffering from the measles.