Featured Plants : Shrub

The Gorgeous Flowering Zumi Crabapple

barb-nhn — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:58:00 GMT

The Zumi Crabapple Tree first displays its lovely pink flower buds, and then before long, a profuse, spring bloom of fragrant, white flowers appear. This deciduous tree is the standard for which other white flowering trees are compared! Not only does this tree have showy flowers, but it also produces glossy, small, bright red crabapples that mature in the fall and often persist into December. The small fruits are edible, but not usually used in cooking. These fruits are long-lasting and attractive to birds.

With its rich, dark green foliage, this ornamental Zumi Crabapple tree has a dense, rounded-to-spreading habit that grows 12-20' high. Zumi Crabapple has a disease resistance that is excellent. It is a semi-dwarf crabapple which is effective when planted as a background for other early flowering plants, near fences, in groups as a screen or hedge, or as a specimen planting for the lawn or near the patio. The Zumi may also be used as a street tree.

The Intensely Flavored ‘Ambrosia’ Pomegranate

barb-nhn — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:39:00 GMT

‘Ambrosia’ Pomegranate gets three times the size of other pomegranates, yet this cerise globe shaped fruit has the flavor of the juice and seeds that’s just as intense as any of the other pomegranates. Of course, each pomegranate has its own complex and unique flavor!

Similar to the ‘Wonderful’ Pomegranate, the ‘Ambrosia’ has the largest fruit of any pomegranate It is shiny, has pale pinkish skin, is long-lived, and it makes an amazing purple sweet-tart juice!

Pomegranates are arching deciduous shrubs, about 15' tall and equally wide in suitable climates. You can prune them into a tree if desired and grows to an ideal size for the small yard. Fruits are borne only at the tips of new growth, and it is recommended that for the first three years, the branches be shortened annually to encourage the maximum number of new shoots on all sides.

The tree is long-lived, self fertile, and tolerates many soils. Pomegranates can survive in an inland or coastal climate. ‘Ambrosia’ is a very adaptable variety that thrives in a southern Mediterranean type climate, which means dry, hot summers and cool winters; ideal for zones 8 to 10. It matures in September to early October and requires 150 hours of chilling.

Plant Hydrangea Late Panicle for Fall Color

barb-nhn — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:08:00 GMT

The Hydrangea Late Panicle is a shrub that has white airy flowers that can reach 10-12" in length in late August. The flowers are a mixture of sterile and fertile flowers which gives them less density and less likelihood to tip or droop. This Hydrangea's flowers will turn bronze in fall; grows 6-8 feet in zones 3-8.

Trained to a single stem with a head, it blooms in late August with showy white flowers which age to a lovely mauve pink. The flower head is more open than PeeGee Hydrangea, resulting in an elegant airy, showy floral display.

Hydrangeas grow best in moist, well-drained soil. Most hydrangeas benefit from some shade, especially in hot climates. It has average water needs; water regularly; do not overwater. These shrubs are fast growing and are great for informal screens, specimen plants, or for cut arrangements.

It is best to prune every year in the fall after blooming, no more than 1/3 of the plant. These plants look best if they are kept pruned and this regular pruning keeps them thick at the base. They are hardy and will not need to be covered to flower.

Double Flowering Plum

barb-nhn — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:51:00 GMT

The Double Flowering Plum is a showstopper across the northern areas in May! It is a handsome, hardy tree or large shrub, and it is noted for its double pink flowers produced in profusion in April-May. These fully double hot pink flowers completely smother the branches in early spring, long before the leaves emerge. This flowering tree also goes by the name of Rose Tree of China.

At maturity, Double Flowering Plum forms a rounded shape with medium green foliage, and it matures 10-12 feet in both height and width. It is hardy to zones 3-6, which means that it will reliably leaf out every year in the coldest parts of the Northscaping region.

This ornamental tree needs lots of sun and space to look its best. It will tolerate a wide range of soils and is adaptable to most soils and pH; intolerant to poorly drained, compacted soil.

Being a moderate growing tall shrub, it can be used as a specimen, bonsai, or buffer strip. Double Flowering Plum develops a yellow-bronze fall color. Anyone who has seen a mature specimen in full bloom will certainly remember its glorious pink color. You will want to find a space in your landscape for this stunning small tree!

Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae Shrubs Are Known For Their Brilliant Color

patti-nhn — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:40:00 GMT

If you like yellow foliage in your landscape beyond the spring and summer season, the Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae will fit your needs. Being an evergreen shrub it will hold its golden yellow color all year long giving you lots of enjoyment even in the bleakest of winters. What is great about the Yellow Ribbon is its size. It will mature from 5 to 10 feet tall and spread from 2 to 3 feet tall making it fit into smaller areas and amongst other shrubs to add some background interest and color. Cones will develop that have an urn shape that will grow to about 1/2 inch in length, in the autumn the cones will turn a reddish brown.

This shrub works great in an area that has full sun to partial shade for proper growth and color. Soil should be well-drained but the Yellow Ribbon is not picky about the type of soil. It grows from zone 2 to zone 7 making it cold hardy and a very adaptable plant. It does prefer humidity and an area where it rains regularly. If you are in a hot and dry area, it will do fine as long as you give it regular deep waterings. This arborvitae works well as a screen, hedge and in small areas where you don't have a lot of space but want some color and texture. You can't beat arborvitaes for their versatility and beauty.

Smaragd Arborvitae, An Excellent Semi-Dwarf Evergreen

patti-nhn — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:40:00 GMT

If you are looking for a semi-dwarf evergreen shrub that is compact and narrow, the Smaragd Arborvitae would be a great choice. Being an evergreen they will provide you with bright green foliage that will last throughout the year. This foliage adorns the shrub with flat sprays that are considered scale-like. It has added interest with its urn shaped cones that grow to about 1/2 inch long and in autumn they will change color to a reddish-brown. Smaragd will charm you with its attractive pyramidal shape making it a great choice at the entry to your home, as a border or hedge as well as many other applications in your landscape.

Growth of this semi-dwarf arborvitae will mature from 5 to 15 feet tall and spread from 2 to 3 feet wide allowing it to be planted in narrow spaces. You will want to plant it in an area that enjoys full to partial sun. For soil, the Smaragd is very tolerable to many different types although they need to be soils that drain well. It enjoys areas that tend to have rain on a regular basis as it likes humidity. If you live in an area that is hot and dry, you will want to give it regular deep watering to keep it going strong. Growing can be done successfully from zone 3 to zone 8 making it a hardy and attractive shrub for seasonal enjoyment.

The Crimson Pygmy Barberry Is A Miniature For Small Spaces

patti-nhn — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:10:00 GMT

Do you have a small space that you can't figure out what to do with? The Crimson Pygmy Barberry is a miniature Barberry bush that is one of the best to fill in those spaces. It is small at 2 feet tall and it will spread out about 2 to 3 feet. Compact and mounding describe this bush. It has colorful ruby-red foliage that lasts from fall to winter and new growth to the bush will be bright red. This bush puts out flowers in the spring that are small and yellow. They will produce bright red fruit which is enjoyed by birds and wildlife and adds extra color. The fall colors of the foliage is orange-scarlet. How can you resist all these great attributes?

The Crimson Pygmy requires full sun in order to put out its beautiful coloring. Moist, well-drained soil is needed to grow appropriately. It will grow in zones 4 to 7 making it cold hardy. This bush could be used as a small border lining your sidewalk or driveway for instance. Planted in front of other bushes or plantings it can add extra interest into your landscaping. Barberry bushes could also be planted individually on their own and are low maintenance and hardy, they don't need any special treatment. This is a great bush that you will enjoy for years to come.

Adams Needle Yucca Shrubs Are Hardy & Handsome

patti-nhn — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:42:00 GMT

I had seen Yucca plants here and there around town. A good friend had some in bloom in her front yard so I got a better look at these plants and I was determined to get some of my own someday. They had been transplanted to her yard from her Grandfather's yard years ago. When we moved into an older neighborhood a few years ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find an area of our yard was filled with these wonderful shrubs and I found out that they were called Adams Needle.

They had been there many years so they were mature and bloomed for us the first spring and into the summer. I look forward to them every year. I live in the cold climate of zone 5 so to see a southern looking plant in our area was wonderful and they will come back year after year. An interesting fact is that the Indians used the seed pods as soap and in its native habitat it is often called Soapweed.

These Adams Needle Yucca Shrubs are rounded in shape and work well in any dry and sunny area. They will put up green leaves in the spring from very dense clumps that are 30 inches or more in height and add interest with the fine, curly hairs that edge the leaves making them very decorative and can work well on their own or near a flower or rock garden for lots of interest to see. After 5 or more years, spikes that can grow up to 6 foot or more tall, will begin to emerge from the center which will then be covered with buds that will produce many white bell-shaped flowers. They are very beautiful and can give you a feeling of being in the warm southern states even if you are in the cold northern states. They are hardy from zone 4 to zone 10 and put on a long lasting show for you all year long. You'll get lots of compliments and questions from your neighbors and friends when they see how handsome they look in your yard.

Organic Sage Fresh From The Garden

patti-nhn — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:21:00 GMT

If you like Sage, you need to try this excellent variety. Salvia Sage, Salvia farinacea 'Blue Frost' is organic which is an added bonus. Sage is easy to grow, it requires moderate well drained soil as well as full sun. Alkaline soil is preferred. Support is not required. The Blue Frost is hardy from zones 3 to zone 9 which makes it versatile in different climates.

The Blue Frost is a perennial that is considered an evergreen subshrub. The leaves are gray and the plant shows off with its blue to purple colored flowers. The woody stems hold up the plant very well. Sage is great for use with meats that have a lot of fat and is often used in stuffing, tomato recipes as well as spaghetti sauce. The Blue Frost Sage would provide you with inexpensive, fresh herbs right from your back yard!

Royal Purple Smoketree Is Reliable

patti-nhn — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:31:00 GMT

The Royal Purple Smoketree (Smokebush) Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' is one of the best known of the smoketree/smokebush family. There are those that consider them trees and others consider them a bush. It gets its name from the smoky-purple-beige flowers that bloom in mid summer. Besides having a smoky color they grow in plumes that have a soft smoky appearance. The leaves on the tree will be a rich burgundy color throughout the growing season. They are quite attractive with their upright growth pattern. They are reliable in their hardiness and in their foliage.

The Royal Purple Smoketree (Smokebush) will mature to about 8 to 10 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide. It does require full sun or the burgundy leaves will have more green to them than purple. It is a hardy tree/bush and will grow from zones 5 to 8. It does prefer moist soil but is widely adaptable to the type of soil. It doesn't take up a lot of space and is very attractive. It can be pruned to 6 to 8 inches tall in the winter and then it will produce long stems with striking oversized foliage in the next growing season. This makes a great accent or patio plant.

Sky Blue Northcountry Blueberries Are Sweet And Wild

patti-nhn — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:20:00 GMT

For a sweet and wild taste the sky blue Northcountry Blueberries Vaccinium 'Northcountry' can't be beat! This low spreading shrub produces small to medium sized fruit that is sky blue in color and is an abundant producer. The Northcountry is an early producer so you will be able to harvest them in July. The mature height of this upright shrub will be anywhere from 3 to 4 feet and it can spread from 30 inches up to 40 inches wide. Blueberries need moist, well drained soil and full sun.

In the spring, usually May, the shrub puts forth dainty bell shaped flowers with a whitish-pink coloring. In July the fruit will ripen and in the fall you will have lots of red leaf color. The vines are considered decorative even in the winter without their leaves. This would be a great ornamental plant with its seasonal decorative look anywhere in your landscape. The Northcountry is cold hardy from zone 4 to zone 8. Blueberries can be used fresh, in jams and syrups as well as many other types of desserts and also in beverages like fruit smoothies! Growing your own can really cut costs at the grocery store as well as being very healthy.

Shadblow Serviceberry Fruits And Fall Color

patti-nhn — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:19:00 GMT

The Shadblow Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis is a large Serviceberry shrub that will grow 20 to 25 feet high and 10 to 15 feet wide. It produces a reddish purple edible fruit that is mainly used for jams or jellies but can be used in any fruit based recipe. Before the fruit, it will produce snowy white flowers and the foliage is a dark green color which turns gold in the fall. The branches grow in an upright fashion that gives it a uniform look.

The Shadblow does require full sun but is widely adaptable for soil. It is considered a deer resistant shrub. There are no guarantees that deer won't persist if hungry enough, but, in general they will keep their distance. The birds will like the fruit as well so if you want to preserve it for yourself you will want to harvest it before the birds get to it. This is a great overall shrub for your yard.

Cutleaf Lilac An Unusual Shrub

patti-nhn — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:47:00 GMT

The Cutleaf Lilac Syringa laciniata is not your typical Lilac shrub. Unlike most Lilacs that grow in an upright form, this Cutleaf Lilac grows in a mounding form. It also tends to be a little smaller height at 6 to 8 foot tall and slower growing than some lilac shrubs. It's leaves are finely cut lobes and the flowers are fragrant, small and lavender colored.

The Cutleaf can tolerate many conditions including cold, heat and drought. It is hardy from zone 4 and has been known to do well from Wisconsin to Georgia and even in the Rocky Mountain states. With its height and foliage it makes this specimen stand out from the others. It would also take up less space so may fit into your landscaping where a larger shrub would not. This Cutleaf Lilac would be worth a try and might get some compliments from friend and neighbors.

Diane Witch Hazel Shrub Or Small Tree?

patti-nhn — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The Diane Witch Hazel Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane'' can be grown as a shrub or small tree. Its that versatile. This Witch Hazel is a beautiful shrub year round. You will need a big area for it since it can grow to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide. But it will stand out on its own or along with other plants.

Diane Witch Hazel has an array of bright red flowers that set the scene for the foliage that follows. It is awesome in the fall with its bright red, orange and yellow tints on its leaves. You might consider planting some blue hostas to show off against the fall colors. This would fill any empty spots in your yard or even hide a utility box or other unsightly object. This is a great plant that has many possible uses.

Elizabeth Bush Anemone A California Native

patti-nhn — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:46:00 GMT

The Elizabeth Bush Anemone Carpenteria californica 'Elizabeth'' is a California native that does well in the West Coast states. It is a drought tolerant plant and you will want well drained soil. It is an evergreen in the west coast and it blooms with fragrant clusters of white flowers with yellow centers in late spring/early summer. They resemble Anemone flowers. This bush is said to be used as a symbol for some festivals and holidays around the world.

The shape of the shrub is dome shaped which gives it a wonderful appearance in your landscape. The old bark of the bush will peel off to a yellowish tan bark. The height of this bush will be approximately 5 feet and it will spread out to the same 5 feet. It can take sun or shade and has low water needs. You may also want to prune back after flowering for more vigorous growth. It might be worth trying in milder Eastern climates of the United States but is mostly found in the Western states.