Flower Garden Shrubs and Bushes

Leaves are most glossy green, but some varieties of Japanese barberry, such as Berberis thunbergii, have red or yellow leaves. Depending on the species, barberries are either deciduous or evergreen.

Some useful evergreen species are Magellan barberry, wintergreen barberry (B. julianae), or warty barberry (B. verruculosa). The evergreen species prefer moist and rich soil.

Deciduous types include Japanese (B. thunbergii), mentor (B. x mentorensis) and Korean barberry (B. koreana).

Plant deciduous barberries in full sun or partial shade in any soil.

Prune lightly to shape both types.

Available at: http://www.marysplantfarm.com/index.htm

Use the drop down search box, under "shrubs"

St. Peter's Plant

Buddleia davidii

Deciduous Shrub, USDA Zones: 4 - 9

Form: Spreading

Flower Colors: shades of red, pink, white, blue, and purple

Bloom Time: late spring – fall

The 'Butterfly bush' is a sprawling deciduous shrub in the north and semi-evergreen in the South. It produces an abundance of fragrant lilac-like flower clusters in white, red, pink, blue, or purple on large spikes from late spring to the fall frost. The blooms are good for cutting and attract butterflies, giving the plant its common name.

Newer cultivars bloom longer and are more compact. Its arching stems are covered with handsome gray-green leaves.

Plant container-grown stock in spring or fall in well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. It also roots easily from cuttings taken in the summer. Mulch heavily in winter in Zones 4 through 6. Prune to within a few inches of the ground in early spring before growth begins.

Notable Varieties

'Black Knight' has dark purple flowers and grows rapidly. 'Lochinch' has fragrant blue flowers with orange eyes and silvery leaves. 'Nanho Blue' is slow-growing, spreading, and has mauve-blue flowers. 'Pink Delight' produce huge, fragrant, pink flowers and has silvery leaves. 'White Bouquet' and 'White Profusion' has white flowers.

Available at: Springhill Nurseries, on the right side of the page, enter one of the following numbers in the product number search box: type 03319 for Pink, 03929 for Blue (purple), 17699 for Red, or 10272 for Sungold (yellow)

Christmas Heather

Erica canaliculata 'Rosea'

Family of Ericaceae (Heaths, Heathers)

Evergreen: Yes Poisonous: Yes

Bloomtime: Fall/Winter Flower Color: Pink

Height: 4-6 feet Width: 3-5 feet

Exposure: Full Sun

Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F

Plant available from: http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants

Burning Bush

Euonymus Alatus Compactus

5’ to 7’ Tall USDA Zone 3-8 Plant 3' apart.

Burning bush has perhaps the brightest red fall color of any plant. Tolerant of almost any conditions, except it does not color up as well if planted in the shade.

The twigs have winged, cork-like bark. Makes an excellent screen or hedge. Will not require trimming.

Available at: Springhill Nurseries, type 67149 in the “Quick Order” product search box on the right side of the page

Burning Bush

Euonymus alatus Rudy Haag

3’ to 5’ Tall USDA Zone 3-8

Burning Bush - Plant 3' apart. A great compact selection, with a striking red color in the fall. It is very useful as a hedge, grouping, or mass planting.

Not necessary to prune this wonderful fall color selection.

Available at: http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/EURHP.html?from_search=1

Rose Of Sharon and Jobs Tears

Hibiscus syriacus

pictured is Lavender Chiffon

USDA Zones 5-9

Rose of Sharon - Tall 8-12' - Plant 5' apart. Very useful for the late summer to early fall bloom. Hibiscus, as it is commonly called, is very late to begin growing in the spring but makes up for lost time fast. If any winter damage occurs while it is getting established just prune back to good wood. Always a favorite. Not a prolific self seeder. Large 5-6" single lavender flowers with a lacy center from July thru September.

Many flowers are named "Rose of Sharon" not because they are a rose, but because they grew on the fertile plain of Sharon, which is situated between Carmel and Joppa and is about 60 miles long. After the annual spring rains there is view of the plain from the hills of Judah west to the Mediterranean.

4 varieties available at Bluestone Perennials. Choose Lavender Chiffon, (pictured), reddish colored ‘Freedom’, deeper rose colored ‘Rose Satin’, or a royal blue colored ‘Blue Satin’

Our Lady's Fingers

Lonicera

Deciduous, USDA Zones: 4 - 8

Light: sun - partial shade

Height: 6 to 15 feet, Width: 6 to 15 feet

'Honeysuckle' shrubs are fast-growing. They prefer full sun but tolerate partial shade, and grow in almost any soil type, except wet soil. Most bear fragrant flowers in spring; some have berries in fall.

The bushes make good specimen plants, hedges, and screens. Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped plants in fall or spring in full sun or partial shade in any well-drained soil. It does not tolerate wet soil. Prune after flowering. If it becomes overgrown, cut it to the ground to renew it.

Available from White Flower Farm: Lonicera dropmore scarlet, Lonicera gold flame, Lonicera mandarin

Look what I found! A lilac named Glory!

Glory

Syringa

The largest florets of all lilacs some the size of a silver dollar!!! Buds look like small grapes. Lilacs are adapted to USDA Hardi-ness Map zones 3, 4, 5 and milder areas of zone 2. They thrive in sunny sites with good air circulation. Although they can withstand -40 degrees F, they need protection from cold winds that can kill flower buds. Lilacs will not tolerate poorly drained sites where the roots freeze.

Plant lilacs where they will receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. Shade greatly reduces flowering, causes plants to become leggy and increases powdery mildew problems.

Dark-flowered lilacs seem to tolerate dappled shade better than lighter ones. However, do not plant dark-flowered lilacs on sites that receive hot after-noon sun, which fades the flowers quickly. Avoid windswept locations and warm areas near reflective, light-colored buildings where the buds will be killed or forced prematurely.

Neutral soil is ideal, but lilacs will tolerate soil with a pH of 6.5 to 8.5 if it is well-drained. Soil type sometimes alters flower colors so arboretum specimens may not look the same in your garden. For specimen plants, plant lilacs 10 to 15 feet apart. Spacing of plants for a hedge depends on the hedge height. For a three- to four-foot tall hedge, space plants 18 to 24 inches on center. A six- to eight-foot tall hedge requires spacing of two to three feet on center. For a very tall, informal hedge, spacing could be as far apart as six feet.

Plant lilacs at least five feet from buildings, since their root systems can damage foundations over time. Mulch an area from the base of the lilac to the drip line to reduce weeds, conserve moisture and prevent lawnmower damage. A two- to three-inch deep bark or wood chip mulch may be better than brick chips or stone, since the latter retain heat and may damage the roots in hot weather.

Watering: Lilacs need approximately one inch of water per week during the months of June and July. This is when buds for the next year are being formed. Begin decreasing irrigation in early August to encourage the shrubs to harden tissues for winter. New transplants need occasional water during this “taper off” period to prevent wilting. Deep water lilacs in late fall after they are dormant to ensure they have adequate soil moisture during winter.

Available at: http://www.lilacs.com/frames/lilac.htm#glory