Plants

Aronia melanocarpa

[Black Chokeberry]

This Indiana native shrub is similar to the Red Chokeberry in habit and form, but differs in that the Black Chokeberry is larger, has black-colored fruits, broader leaves, and generally larger flowers. Place in a higher light location for the best flower and fruit display. Best used for naturalizing, mass plantings, and wetland reclamation projects. The berries are edible, but only palatable when used in jellies and jams.

Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic'

[Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry]

The Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry is known for its outstanding bright purple to red to orange fall color, compact form, and large, attractive fruits. Place in a higher light location for the best flower and fruit display. Best used for naturalizing, mass plantings, and wetland reclamation projects. The berries are edible, but only palatable when used in jellies and jams.

Aronia melanocarpa 'Morton' [sold as Iroquis Beauty™]

[Iroquois Beauty Black Chokeberry]

Cultivar 'Morton', sold as Iroquois Beauty, is a compact shrub that reaches 5 to 6 feet. The flowering and fruiting are similar to that of the straight species, but the compact form allows this shrub to e better utilized in a mass planting. Great for rain gardens, bioswales, and lowlands that collect water in the landscape. Glossy green leaves will turn a brilliant orange-red in the fall. Its black fruit attracts wildlife, such as birds.

Aronia melanocarpa 'Viking'

[Viking Black Chokeberry]

Betula nigra 'Cully' [sold as Heritage™]

[Heritage River Birch]

This vigorous cultivar makes a graceful tree, interesting for its richly colored, strongly curling bark and large, glossy leaves. It is somewhat resistant to leaf spot and is especially well adapted to wet soils. Immune to the bronze birch borer, which is a serious problem for the native Betula papyrifera in the Midwest. This species prefers full sun and is quite heat tolerant, but does not have tolerance for drought. If pruning is required, prune…

Betula pendula

[European White Birch]

A graceful tree with beautiful white bark and pendulous branches, the European White Birch was once a common tree in many landscapes across the United States. However, the popularity of this species has decreased rapidly due to its extreme susceptibility to the birch borer. Despite its beautiful aesthetics, other birch species, such as Betula nigra (the River Birch), are recommened for use in the landscape instead.

Betula pendula ssp. mandshurica

[Asian White Birch]

A generally better choice than the species type, Betula platyphylla var. japonica is a larger, graceful tree with thinner, spreading branches and striking pure white bark. It is especially well adapted to wet soilsand does not do well in dry situations. Less subject to the borer troubles of B. papyrifera in the Midwest, although still susceptible.

Betula × 'Crimson Frost'

[Crimson Frost Birch]

This hybrid birch is very closely related to Betula platyphylla in form and care, with the exception of its striking red-purple leaves. It is a graceful tree, interesting for its pure white bark that contrasts nicely with the dark foliage. The Crimson Frost Birch is especially well adapted to wet soils, and does not do well in dry situations. Less subject to the borer troubles of B. papyrifera in the Midwest, although still susceptible.

Carpinus caroliniana

[American Hornbeam]

A clean, trouble-free small tree, useful in intensive situations such as patios and malls, and equally interesting in naturalized plantings. Useful as a large hedge if coppiced when young. Performs well in heavy shade and tolerates periodic flooding. Difficult to transplant. Move balled-and-burlapped for best results. Sometimes called Blue Beech and Ironwood (although these are best not used).

Carpinus caroliniana 'CCSQU' [sold as Palisade®™]

[Palisade®]

Palisade is an upright, narrow, oval habit cultivar that is noted for its strongly ascending branches. Its dark green leaves changes to a soft golden color in the fall. A clean, trouble-free small tree, useful in intensive situations such as patios and malls, and equally interesting in naturalized plantings. Useful as a large hedge if coppiced when young. Performs well in heavy shade and tolerates periodic flooding. Difficult to transplant. Move balled-and-burlapped for best results.