Best Spruce Trees for Indiana

This post I will share the best Spruce trees to grow in Indiana (USDA Zones 5 and 6). This list does not include exotic cultivars and dwarfs. MANY people have over planted Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) throughout much of the Eastern US. In recent years Rhizosphaera Needlecast disease has decimated millions of Blue Spruce trees, and it is not recommended in landscaping anymore. However, there are still several other Spruce tree with good resistance to the disease that grow very well in Indiana.

LIST

1. Norway Spruce (Pice abies): Mostly pest and disease resistant, though unfavorable conditions and the first year after transplant can cause root rot, and disease issues. Other than that Norway Spruce grows extremely well and so vigorously, it's practically thought of as a native! These trees have been planted in the US since at least the 1800s. They grow 2'-3' per year when young, and mature to near 100' tall. In fact the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City is a Norway Spruce cut every year that ranges in height from over 70 ft to just under 100 ft tall.

2. Black Hills Spruce (Picea glauca 'Densata'): This tree is the state tree of South Dakota. As you may have guessed already this genetically different wild form of White Spruce is native exclusively to the Black Hills of South Dakota. The tree is noticably different from White Spruce by having a smaller more compacted growth making it more desirable for landscaping. They mature to 30' tall (rarely 50') by 15'-20' wide. It is extremely cold hardy in USDA Zones 2-7. Tends to perform poorly in the deep south (zones 7b-8) where summer are extremely hot and humid, and winters are mild at best. My own experience and knowledge it has good resistance to pest and disease issues as well as Needlecast, though has been reported to not be fully resistant and will get it in unfavorable conditions. Definitely a go to choice over Blue Spruce for sure! It's needles start off dark green and mature to blue-green adding dense colorful foliage to the landscape.

3. Serbian Spruce (Picea omorica): It's arching limbs that reveal deep blue underside needles and deep green upside adds texture to the landscape. Very versatile and drought tolerant. More disease and pest resistant than other Spruces. Many cultivars exist on the market. Definitely a go to if you want a unique conifer! Typically matures to 40'-60' tall by 20'-25' wide. Hardy in USDA Zones 4-7.

4. Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis): This rare Spruce is a must have in "new" ideas. Booming in popularity in recent years this Spruce offer deep glossy green (non-prickly) foliage. Many neat cultivars exist adding "pizzazz" to the landscape. Typically matures to 50'-60' tall by 15'-25' wide. Hardy in Zones 4-7.

The Major Problem with the USDA Zone Map

The Major Problem
 with the
 USDA Zone Map

The USDA Zone Map is undoubtedly a great tool
 to rate hardiness for landscaping plants. 
However this map is ONLY the AVERAGE
 coldest temperature, not the coldest temperature
 that is possible. In fact, with a very unstable
 climate (likely due to climate change) colder
 or warmer winters are far more likely. In fact
 there have been at least 2 winters in Indiana 
in the past 10 years alone that have seen temps 
colder than the zone I am in. I am in
 Indianapolis, IN. In the Winter of 2014 the temp
 dipped down to -15°F in Indianapolis, and
 -20°F to -25°F on the north side where I live. 
Indianapolis had a zone 5b winter in a zone 6a,
 I had a zone 4b/5a winter in a 5b/6a location. 
In 2019 I had a zone 5b winter and I am 
technically 6a bordering zone 5b. It is ALWAYS
 best to go with the colder side rather than
 warmer side due to this very reason.
 Indianapolis is technically zone 6a, in reality
 it is a solid zone 5. Southern Indiana is a solid
 zone 6 (which fits the current map). 
But Indianapolis area northward is a solid
 zone 5, Bloomington area south is a solid
 zone 6 (this fits the d 1990 map). The map
 really should be updated more than every 
20 years especially with a rapidly changing climate.
 Virtually the entire country moved up (warmer)
 a whole USDA Zone from 1990 to 2012 
(most recent). With my own experience
 the modern map is not correct in many 
locations. Indianapolis should have remained
 a zone 5 in the 2012 map. Only minor or
 perhaps no changes at all should have been
 made with the new map for Indiana. The climate
 is changing, but parts of the world are getting
 colder as the climate is disrupted from CO2 
emissions, as a result we have had colder winters
 than the map says we can have. I have had weather
 colder than the map says and reached the minimum 
temps at least 4 times in 10 years really says something to me. 

•

When landscaping please take this into consideration, 
and go a zone or at least a half a zone (5°F) colder. 
If you are a zone 6a, Do not use zone 6 and warmer 
plants unless it is protected and you or your customer are
 aware and are willing to take the risk.

•

Sum up: The 1990 map still is more realistic than the 2012
 (current) map which is too warm for lots or perhaps the whole country.

Bald Cypress vs Pond Cypress

*Quote is from Wikipedia

Bald Cypress vs Pond Cypress

Everyone has heard of the Bald Cypress, but few have heard of the Pond Cypress.
 The reason is because the two are recognized as the same species by most botanists.
 Pond Cypress is a wild variety of Bald Cypress.
 The bark of Pond Cypress has a darker more red tone than Bald Cypress,
 and the foliage is compacted into strings the point up.
 Pond Cypress is known for growing more upright than the Bald Cypress, but still has a 
spread with age. 
The both mature to a height of 75'-100' tall. 
The Bald Cypress has a width of 30' or so while the Pond Cypress has a width of 10'-15'.
The Bald Cypress extends up the Mississippi River up Southern tip of Indiana, whilst the
 Pond Cypress 
does not. 
The Pond Cypress grows up along the East Coast from Delaware down to South Florida
 in the Everglades
 over to Eastern Louisiana.
 The Bald Cypress grows in the same areas of the South and East Coast as Pond 
Cyprsss. 
The botanical name of Bald Cypress is Taxodium distichum. 
The Botanical name of Pond Cypress is distichum var. imbricatum. 
Ecologists however classify it as it's own species 
because it "Occurs mainly in still blackwater rivers, ponds and swamps without silt-rich
 flood deposits.
 It predominates in cypress dome habitats." 
Ecologists give the Pond Cypress this name: 'Taxodium ascendens' Whether they are
 the same species
 or not, 
they both began as the same species not long ago in the evolutionary timeline before 
splitting off. 
This is why they are so similar. While the Bald Cypress native habitat grows in those 
and more diverse
 environments than Pond Cyprsss.
 Even though both trees naturally grow mostly in swamps and wet areas they are 
surprisingly very
 drought tolerant.
 They are deciduous Conifers meaning they are not Evergreen as they drop their foliage
 in the Fall. 
The Pond Cypress is hardy in USDA Zones 5-11.
 The Bald Cypress is more cold hardy in zones 4-11.

•

The first two pictures are mine, the others are from the Internet.

*Quote is from Wikipedia

Two Pictures of Pond Cypress landscaped in Carmel, IN (USDA Zone 5b)

 

Bald Cypress vs Pond Cypress

Pond Cypress Native Range

 

Bald Cypress Native Range

Growing Crape Myrtle in Zones 5 and 6

Growing Crape Myrtle may be difficult in zones 5-6a, as during normal or hard winters can completely kill a Crape Myrtle if not sited properly. In an area where winter temps are capable of getting colder than -5°F at any time it is best to plant in an area protected from winter winds such as an East facing area. You must also make sure the area gets enough sun during the growing season (minimum of 6 hours of sun per day). This can be tricky if you don't have the correct area. Some new subdivisions don't have a protected areas as they are facing the wrong way or are in a wind tunnel. If you can't grow it outside or just don't want to risk it, you can grow yours in a pot. You must remember a plant is less hardy in a pot than in the ground as the roots are exposed to the cold wind. I bring my potted Crape Myrtle into a shelter/garage when the temp is predicted to dip below 10°F. Mine survived the winter and is flourishing, since it didn't foliate till mid-May I won't see blooms till the end of the summer like August or September since I am a chilly zone 5b. I am growing one of the most cold hardy varieties root hardy to -20°F to -10°F (planted in the ground). The variety I am growing is 'Hopi'. Picture in bloom is from last summer and other picture is today.

Crape Myrtle

Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia

Crape Myrtles are native to Sub-Tropical/warm temperate parts of Asia where summers
 are hot and winters are mild.
 They are fully hardy in USDA Zones 7-10,
 and are root hardy to USDA Zone 6, 
with some varieties hardy to USDA Zone 5. 
They are small trees typically growing no taller than 30'.
 Many dwarf cultivars exist.
 Some shrubs maturing to 2'-4' tall and wide,
 with many cultivars maturing to sizes between that and 30' tall.
 Noteable cultivars hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F to -10°F)
 are Hopi, Acoma, Bellini Series, Tonto. 
All Crape Myrtles die back to the ground with 
temps below -5°F and in many cases below 0°F. 
In zones 7 and warmer for all Crape Myrtles the stems survive year after year. 
In zones 5 and 6 the tree forms usually die to the ground every year 
and obtain only a few feet tall and wide at maturity.
 They are very vigorous growers during the growing season though,
 and can grow anywhere from
 4'-8' in a single season especially when killed to the base.

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LINK: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=282496

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Pictured is a Crape Myrtle that died back to the base from winter damage
 by temps dipping below 0°F.

(Not my picture found on the web)

Get Outdoors During Hard Times

During these hard times it is best to get outdoors to nature. It helps you physically and mentally. With racial injustice, riots, chaos, destruction, and a global pandemic one would not be human to not be on the edge. While I can't feel completely better, I can be in one with God and the Earth by simply going for a hike or shopping for plants for my yard. Here are my pictures of recent nature hikes and nursery plants. Stay safe everyone!

Clusia (Autograph Tree)

Clusia rosea is a beautiful succulent shrub native to South Florida, the Caribbean, Northern South America, and parts of Mexico. Very popular landscaping shrub in South Florida and many areas in the Caribbean. I remember seeing them every where in the Tampa area as much as Boxwoods are used in the Northern states. The regular form has giant leaves and can reach 10'-15' tall and wide if not pruned. Though the dwarf form has tiny leaves and is more manageable as a small accent plant in a garden or houseplant. This plant is also a perfect alternative to the popular Jade succulent, especially when using the dwarf form (Clusia rosea 'Nana'). The dwarf form only grows a few feet tall and wide after many years. Clusia grows in full sun to part shade. Performs best in full sun and well draining soils. Though they do appreciate some moist soils, as they suffer in prolonged dry periods. In the wild they grow near/on the coasts where there are no trees to block sun, and sand easily drains. These plants are notorious for growing on other trees like an Orchid does. This plant is commonly called the autograph tree because you can scratch your name into the leaves and the engravement will stay forever on the leaf until it eventually dies. This plant is exotic in the Houseplant trade, and may be very difficult to obtain. If you do find one at a local graden shop, I highly recommend buying one before they sell out. I myself found the dwarf form and am growing it with my other succulents. The first picture in this post is of my own Clusia Nana I bought at my local nursery in Indianapolis. Clusia rosea are hardy in USDA Zones 10 and warmer. They are reported somewhat hardy in the warmer regions of zone 9, but should be planted in a protected site from frost. The Tampa area is solid zone 10a, and they are very common there. In that region temps can dip into the 30s, but rarely if ever below 30°F at the coldest point. I would also imagine, established specimens would simply sprout new growth if winter damage was severe. I have seen many mature specimens in the Tampa/Fort Myers area (USDA Zone 10a) that are very healthy as of March, 2020 while on a Florida vacation right before the Coronavirus got really bad. Whether you are in a region where it can be grown as a perennial, or want to grow it indoors, this succulent is a must for you avid plant growers out there!

 

My Dwarf Clusia

 

Grown as a small tree

 

Grown as a hedge 

Native Range and Native Range in Florida

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

The Eastern Red Cedar is one of the most widespread confierous evergreens in the Eastern US, growing over most of the Eastern half of the country. This tree in some areas is considered a weed, though does has a lot of benefits and is essential for the environment. The berry like cones produce food for wildlife (especially birds), and since they are evergreen help stop erosion in disturbed/poor sites. These trees typically germinate in open sunny areas where drainage is excellent. Even in areas with heavy clay slopes dry very quickly so this Juniper will take over like a weed. I have seen them growing on the edge of limestone and rock in Southern Indiana and Kentucky and they essentially help prevent erosion as they can grow in the driest and more difficult soils. Surprisingly enough they can also tolerate moist soils, but will rot in wet soils. Evergreen trees provide energy to the soil in wintertime that deciduous trees don't, this is the main reason evergreens are so great at erosion control especially on hilly or rocky sites. They also make a great screening tree in open sites as well. Many cultivars exist for ornamental purposes in landscaping. Consider planting a native Eastern Red Cedar to help the planet!

 

Bird eating Juniper berries

 

Planted as a screen

 

Mature speciemen

 

Mature speciemens at a cemetery

 

#1 Wild speciemens to help soil and erosion on slope

 

#2

 

Cultivar 'Taylor' is an upright form similar to Italian Cypress. Grows 30' tall by only 3' wide at maturity.

 

Cultivar 'Canaerti' has branches growing outward in all directions to have a wildly look

 

Cultivar 'Grey Owl' is a true dwarf form. It is a low groundcover like shrub that has greyish/blue foliage that matures to 2' tall by 6' wide.

 

Native Range including southern variety that goes down though Central Florida, along part of the East Coast and over to Eastern Texas.

Types of Deciduous Trees in Florida

 

 (Red Maple Trees amongst Palm Trees)

It may surprise me you that there are a lot of deciduous trees grown and native to Florida. While most deciduous tree are only found in north Florida where freezes are present during Winter months, but quite a few are grown through Southern Florida as well mostly due to the fact that it gets "cool" in Winter and isn't optimal for growth so plants go into brief dormant state.

1. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Red Maple is recognized as the most widely distributed Deciduous tree in North America ranging from Southern Canada, to Minnesota, over to Maine, and all the way down to Southern Florida to the Everglades. Hardy in USDA Zones 3-10. Yes, this Maple tree can be grown in Toronto to Miami. The dormant state is extremely brief in South Florida, only a couple weeks. Leaves turn red around Christmas. Tree goes bare around the New Years, and gets flowers by the middle of January, then foliated by the end of January. There is a cultivar developed from wild trees in Florida better adapted to high heat and humidity with mild winter of Florida. This cultivar is called 'Florida Flame'. A tree grown in Michigan would die if it was brought to Florida, as the trees are adapted to the regions they grow in. Interestingly enough the Florida Flame variety has been known to grow into USDA Zone 5/6, but dies in zones 3-4 as it originates from much warmer Florida wild Red Maples



2. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Bald Cypress also has a vast native range from Southern Indiana, to New York down to South Florida. It is the most famous tree growing straight in standing water in the Everglades. It is a Conifer related to Pine but drops it's needles in the fall. Hardy in USDA Zones 4-11. Bald Cypress unlike Red Maple has a longer dormancy, and won't regrow new foliage until nights are hot. Even if it's 80°F in February the nights are still chilly so the tree stays bare untill true Summer arrives (usually by early-mid March in Florida) when nights are constantly near or above 60°F. Landscaped all the way into Minnesota and Canada with no problems with the cold.


3. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.)

Native to Sub-Tropical regions in Asia, this tree is adored in the Southern states with it's show of flowers that cover the tree all summer long adding a tropical ambiance. Hardy in USDA Zones 7-10 (some varieties into zone 6). While this tree doesn't grow in Southern Florida, it is grown through parts of Center Florida. Crape Myrtles also foliate when temps get really warm consist



4. Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua)

Sweetgum has a vast native range from South Central Indiana to New York City down to North Central Florida. Beautiful Maple like leaves that turn not just one color but range from being yellow to orange to Red to all of the above.


 
5.  Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)

Pignut Hickory has a vast native range expanding over much of the Eastern Half if the US. Native through Central Florida. Hardy in USDA Zones 4-9 and into 10a, but not further South. Pignuts provide essentially food for wildlife. Fast growing and makes an excellent shade tree!



This list could go on and on, but I listed my top 5. There are so many deciduous tree native and landscaped to Florida. Hope you all found it very useful! Stay safe y'all! 🌳


Some Sources:

1. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/taxodium-distichum/
2.https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lagerstroemia-indica/
3. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/liquidambar-styraciflua/
4. https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/real_estate/fall-foliage-and-pruning-logic-in-florida/article_ef9cb6a2-b313-11e8-86f9-63b83b04260f.html
5. http://www.wildsouthflorida.com/red,maple.html#.XmMaoWlOkwA
6. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2018/06/28/the-florida-flame-red-maple-makes-a-colorful-addition-to-the-landscape/

4 Best Palm Trees as Low Maintenance Houseplants

1. Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

Extremely low maintenance. Grows in low light to high light. Allow soil to thoroughly dry between waterings. So watering is very minimal. This is a fan Palm that is usually bush like in nature. Always grown as a clump. Slow growing, but after many many years will grow up to 15' tall.

2. Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

Extremely low maintenance. Grows in low light to high light. Allow soil to thoroughly dry between waterings. Water is very minimal. Grows as a clump or a single trunk. This dwarf Palm only mature to 6'-8' tall.

3. Kentia Palm (Howea fosteriana)


Extremely low maintenance. Grows in low light to high light. Allow soil to thoroughly dry between waterings. Watering is very minimal. Usually grown as a clump, but can be attractive as a single stem. Extremely slow growing, but will eventually reach 60' outdoors, but likely stay less than 15' indoors after several decades. Unfortunately is very difficult to find in nurseries due to high demand and extremely slow propagation. Usually very expensive if you do find one, but I highly recommend getting it if you see one!

4. Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Extremely low maintenance. Grows in low to medium light. Foliage scorches in direct sunlight. Allow soil to dry between waterings, but let soil become bone dry, or stay dry. Always sold as clump, usually a small plant less than 2' in size most of the time several inches high. Resembles a small Fern due to compact dwarf size. May eventually reach 5' after many years. After 50 years of growth outdoors they can reach 10'-15'. Very common, and usually very cheap. Makes a perfect addition to your home or office!





 *Photos in order with numbered plants