This rather large multi-stemmed shrub will reach 20-25 feet tall and 15-20 feet in width. With maintenance one can prune the lower branches and train this as a small tree. Its growth rate tends to be rather even, not a very fast grower. Hardy in Zones 4-8 this slender stemmed plant has exfoliating gray brown bark that compliments its medium textured foliage.
The 2-4 inch long leaves are quite dark green and slightly glossy, the fall color is of no real significance, occasionally turning a dark purple but most leaves will fall of the tree green. Yellow flowers remain for about 3 weeks and emerge rather early in the spring. The large oblong 1/2 inch long cherry-red fruit are borne beneath the foliage in July, often used in syrup and preserves not quite so palatable in its raw form.
The rather compact habit of this tree/shrub makes it a great plant for use in limited space situations. It is not a widely available plant, but worth looking for.
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White Rockrose is native to the Mediterranean, and hardy to 15 degrees. This evergreen shrub performs best in full sun and will excel dry locations. It is a rather fast growing shrub, reaching 2-5 feet tall and nearly as wide. Its slender crinkled leaves grow to 2 inches long and are fragrant on warm days. The papery white flowers are 1.5 inches wide and have yellow centers.The White Rockrose can be used as a low screen or as a background in a rock-garden. To help maintain its habit occasional tip pruning or light shearing will help keep this evergreen shrub dense.
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This hardy and rather slowing tree fern, known commonly as the Soft Tree Fern, Man Fern or Tasmanian Tree Fern is an evergreen tree fern native to parts of Australia, namely New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria.
Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, this is the most cold hardy of all of the tree ferns. Characterized by a fuzzy red and rather thick trunk that reaches eventually heights of 15 feet. 3-6 foot long fronds arch outwardly from the top of the stem. Best performance in coastal areas where humidity aids in its growth.Shade to part shade to full sun exposure. Frequent summer watering is necessary.
I have seen this grown quite successfully in protected areas in the Seattle metro area as well in Vancouver, B.C. It offers a great texture and drama to the landscape. Success in containers as well.
Learn MoreNative to the United States from Virginia to Florida and west to Mississippi. This rather flowing evergreen shrub performs rather well in the shade and is hardy in zones 5-8. Growing 2-4’ high and 4-6’ wide. Its arching branches and spreading habit make this a great plant for foundation planting as well shrub borders.
Leathery, glossy green leaves are arranged alternately along the stem. The leaves turn purple-green in the winter. The flowers are 1-2.5″ long and are borne in the leaf axis and bloom in April-May.
With preference to acidic, moist well drained soil, this shrub performs best when it is protected from dry winds and drought. I have only experienced leaf spots as an issue in the disease department. This can be a bit problematic if it is a massive infestation and could lead to the demise of the plant.
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This upright deciduous mounding shrub is commonly referred to as Virginia Sweetspire will grow 3-4 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. With preference to high organic and slightly moist soil, it is quite adaptable to varying soil types. Full sun to partial shade will allow this shrub to perform at its best. With fragrant showy white flowers blooming generally from May to June, this shrub is not prone to any notable insect or disease problems.
A great shrub, well suited for use in shrub borders, foundation plantings and woodland gardens. Its striking bronze – red fall color adds great interest to this versatile shrub. Hardy in zones 5 – 9.
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With origins in southern Japan Camellia sasanqua is a great shrub. When compared to the Camellia Japonica this is a smaller growing variety. (6-10’ tall and wide) A densely pyramidal shrub with many uses including a colorful hedge, screen, and border shrub it also does well as an espalied plant.Plant in a highly organic well drained soil. Preferring partial shade, the glossy green leaves are considerably smaller than the japonica varieties. The flowers emerge a bit earlier than the C. japonica varieties and range in flower color from white to red, to pink and are 2-3” in diameter.
Some of the most commonly available varities:
‘Setsugekka’ Flowers large white demi-double with wavy edges. Upright.
‘Yuletide’ Bright red single flowers, blooming in December. Upright.
‘Shishi Gashira’ Rose semi-double blooms. Flowers are perfect for cutting. Low spreader. Late blooming
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’
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