Shrubs define the background of most gardens, providing color, structure, and texture throughout
the year. Many can also form a central feature on account of their unusual foliage, flowers, or
berries. Those chosen here provide interest over at least three seasons.
ABELIA
Abelia x grandiflora
A graceful flowering shrub with an
attractive arching habit, abelia retains
its glossy dark green leaves throughout
winter, except in very cold areas. The
pale pink, scented flowers appear in
early summer and last until fall.
It can reach 10 ft (3 m) in height and
12 ft (4 m) in spread. Plant in full sun
in moist, well-drained soil.
MEXICAN ORANGE BLOSSOM
Choisya ternata ‘Sundance’
This evergreen shrub has bright yellow
foliage that can lighten a corner of any
garden. The leaves are slightly darker
in color when it is grown in the shade.
In very cold areas, this plant requires
a sheltered position, such as against a
sunny wall. It grows up to 8 ft (2.5 m).
Mexican orange blossom thrives in most
well-draining soils.
CHOOSING SHRUBS
FOR YEAR-ROUND INTEREST
US_140-141_choosing_shrubs.indd 140 07/09/2018 16:34
SHRUBS // CHOOSING SHRUBS 140–141
JAPANESE ARALIA
Fatsia japonica
The large, deeply lobed, evergreen leaves
of this shrub inject color and texture into
containers and borders, and the round
clusters of tiny, white fall flowers and
black fruits add to the eect. This plant
is ideal for a city garden as it tolerates
pollution. It can reach 10 ft (3 m), and will
grow well in sun or partial shade in
moist or well-drained soil.
PIERIS
Pieris formosa var. forrestii
‘Wakehurst’
An evergreen shrub, pieris is grown for
its attractive young spring foliage. The
leaves of ‘Wakehurst’ are scarlet when
young, changing to cream and then
green. In spring it has clusters of white,
bell-shaped flowers. Grow in sun or
partial shade in a moist or well-drained,
slightly acidic soil. It may reach 6 ft (2 m).
DOG HOBBLE
Leucothöe fontanesiana ‘Scarletta’
Decorate a winter garden with this
evergreen, mid- to back-of-border shrub,
which has arching, red-tinged stems;
green leaves; and cream, bell-shaped
spring flowers. ‘Scarletta’ (above) has
bronze-tinted winter leaves. Dog hobble
is slow growing and reaches 5 ft (1.5 m)
tall. It prefers shade or partial shade and
a moist, acid soil.
DROOPING RED ENKIANTHUS
Enkianthus cernuus f. rubens
Preferring acidic or neutral soil, this is
a medium to large, deciduous shrub that
produces a colorful display of deep red,
bell-shaped flowers that hang in clusters
from late spring to summer. The leaves
turn rich shades of red and purple in
fall. This plant can reach 8 ft (2.5 m) and
prefers a site with well-drained soil in
sun or partial shade.
PRICKLY HEATH
Gaultheria mucronata ‘Wintertime’
Impressive, waxy white berries in
fall and winter are the reason for
growing this evergreen, spreading
shrub. It produces small white flowers
in late spring. Grow a male plant nearby
to ensure a good crop of berries. It is
relatively small at 4 ft (1.2 m) and likes
moist, neutral to acid soil in sun or
partial shade.
SKIMMIA
Skimmia japonica
This neat, evergreen shrub with dark
green, glossy leaves has dense heads
of tiny, fragrant, pink- or red-budded,
white flowers in spring. If a male plant
is nearby for pollination, female plants
develop vivid red berries, which persist
into winter. Skimmia thrives in a moist
soil in partial shade and eventually
grows to a height of 5 ft (1.5 m).
US_140-141_choosing_shrubs.indd 141 07/09/2018 16:34
..................Content has been hidden....................
You can't read the all page of ebook, please click here login for view all page.