Incredible Trees And Shrubs
The Letter I

There are many incredible trees and shrubs all over the world. This is another page in the list of plants starting with the letter I.

Each of these pages in this section contains only a small fraction of the unique plant specimens that are native, and also grow in many different countries.

I hope this little bit of information will be of some value to each one of you.

• Iberis - Candytuft - there are around fifty species of this genus. The Candytuft is native to southern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. This specie will grow well in zones seven through eleven in the United States.
  
  The Iberis family consists of annual, perennial, and evergreen sub-shrubs.
  
  I have planted the species in the greenhouse, and germination rates are very good at around 68 degrees. The Candytuft is pretty much frost hardy, and loves a sunny location.
  
  The species thrive in light and well drained soil. One of my favorite varieties to grow is the Gibraltar, which is native to southern Spain. The Gibraltar will mature to one foot, and is an incredible spreading evergreen plant that produces white flowers.
  
  The flowers have a tinge of red to pink tones and emerge in the summer months. A great specimen for rock gardens.
• Illex - Holly - is a large genus consisting of over four hundred species. This plant family is native to many different countries including, Europe, North Africa, western Asia, and North America.
  
  The Illex does well in zones six through ten in the United States. They are deciduous or evergreen shrubs and trees. The Holly is an incredible specie in a variety of different landscape settings.
  
  The Holly is frost hardy and will grow in a rich organic soil mixture. They love full sun in cool climates, but must be watered in warmer dry climates.
  
  The Holly is best known for its shiny and rich red tone berries that appear in the autumn and winter months. A great specimen for holiday decorations.





• Illicium - this genus consists of around forty specimens. The False or Japanese Anise is considered one of the most popular species. The species will grow native in sub-tropical sections of east Asia, and North and South America.
  
  The family will grow in zones eight through eleven in the United States. This particular family thrives in part shade to full shad conditions.
  
  This Japanese Anise is an incredible specie that can mature twenty feet high and wide. The leaves are fragrant and the yellow and white tone flowers appear in mid spring. Some of the varieties bear fruit which is poisonous if eaten. A great accent plant for a large open garden or landscape.
• Indigofera - this genus is made up of over seven hundred species and native to many tropical and sub-tropical regions. The family consists of annuals, perennials shrubs and trees.
  
  One of the most spectacular varieties is native to Australia and called the Australian Indigo. This specie will mature to around six feet high and wide. Tiny mauve to pink flowers are present in the winter months throughout summer time.
  
  This specie will do well in zones nine through eleven in the United States. Inigofera plants prefer light and well drained soil and partial shade.
  
  Another popular variety that is native to China and Japan is the decora. Long spikes of mauve tone flowers appear in the summer months. Great specie for zones seven through eleven in the United States.
• Iochroma is a family that are actually members of the nightshade family. The Iochroma is native to sub-tropical and tropical locations from South to Central America.
  
  These species will thrive in zones nine through twelve in the United States. The Iochroma love warm and humid conditions, with tubular blue, white, purple, or red flowers that appear in the summer months through fall.
  
  This family will do well in full sun to part shade and needs well drained soil. The species look striking in many style gardens, as well as containers, and will germinate well in greenhouses.
• Isoplexis - this is a small genus of three unique incredible evergreen sub-shrubs, that are native to Maderia and the Canary Islands. They will do well in zones nine through eleven in the United States.
  
  This family can take sun or part shade and must be kept watered in the warm and dry summer months. The canariensis is one of the most spectacular show of flowers in the summer months. The flowers are tubular in shape and colors range from orange, yellow to brown tones. This variety can mature to five tall and wide.
• Isopogon - Drumsticks - This genus is made up of about thirty specimens and is native to Australia. Some varieties are native to the Blue Mountains of New South Whales.
  
  The plants are evergreen shrubs that grow in zones nine through eleven in the United States. They need a sunny location and well drained soil.
  
  The highlight of these specimens arrive in the spring and summer months with fragrant white, to off white, and pink globe shape flowers.
  
  After that the flowers have died off, fruit that resembles tiny pine cones. This family can mature up to ten feet tall. Another incredible evergreen shrub.
• Itea - This genus consists of only ten species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs. This family is native to temperate Asia as they thrive in tropical climates. There is one specie that is native to North America.
  
  The Virginia Sweetspire will grow well in zones seven through ten in the United States. This incredible variety is also native in zone seven where I live.
  
  The Itea family loves partial shade and must have soil moisture in the soil. With the drought that the southeastern part of the United States has had, these native trees have been under stress.
  
  They are known for their fragrant flowers that appear in the spring or fall months, depending on the variety. A great shrub or tree for along a wooded area.

The eight families above are incredible specimens, and each represent individual beauty in many geographic locations. The list of plants section is a wonderful way to stay in tune with many different varieties of trees and shrubs.