Plants & Product Information: Deciduous Shrubs
While evergreens offer year-round color and consistency, deciduous shrubs change from season to season. They help to soften the landscape by adding a mixture of foliage colors, textures, and growth habits. They are also valued for their spectacular display of flowers during the spring and summer months. Even though they loose their foliage during the winter months, many deciduous shrubs still look terrific after the last leaf has dropped. Some carry vibrant berries for hungry birds, while others display colorful textured bark making effective winter displays. Combine deciduous shrubs with evergreens, perennials, and annuals for a harmonious display all year round.
BARBERRY: A rugged group of shrubs that make good foundation or hedge plantings. Excellent color & leaf texture contrasts. Branches are armed with small thorns. Prune early spring. The following are varieties of barberry.
CHOKEBERRY: A truly “all-season” family of shrubs. They are tough, dependable and showy all year. Can be used as specimens, but best planted in groups for massing. Prune anytime to control shape and size. The following are varieties of chokeberry.
COTONEASTER: A handsome and versatile group of shrubs. Can be used in many types of plantings. Contrast nicely because of foliage texture and growth habits. The following are varieties of cotoneaster.
DOGWOOD: Extremely hardy group of shrubs used in the border or massed on a large scale. Brightly colored stems in the winter are their claim to fame. Creates a striking effect against a gray wintry sky. Prune one-third of the old growth every spring to encourage new growth with brightly colored stems. The following are varieties of dogwood.
EUONYMUS: Wintercreeper euonymus is one of the hardiest groups of broadleaf evergreens (does not loose leaves during winter months). Valued for it’s landscape versatility. Avoid harsh windy locations where foliage can turn brown during winter. Trim lightly in spring. The following are varieties of wintercreeper euonymus.
LILAC: Valued for their fragrant, spring blossoms. Flower colors range from white, pink, lavender, blue, magenta, and dark purple. The following are varieties of lilac.
POTENTILLA: A hardy group of plants, ideal when used as specimen or foundation plantings. Produces a profusion of blooms from spring to fall. Prune in late winter or early spring. (Lightly between blooming). New growth produces an abundance of blossoms. The following are varieties of potentilla.
PRIVET: Highly adaptable shrubs most often used as hedges, backgrounds, and screens. Responds well to pruning and shaping. The following are varieties of privet.
PYRACANTHA: A group of shrubs that reward all season. All have lustrous dark green foliage that hangs on into late winter. Massive white blossoms cover its branches in the spring followed by clusters of gleaming red-orange berries in the fall. Take note to where it’s planted because of its sharp thorns and spreading habit. Prune to control size and shape in late winter or early spring. The following are varieties of pyracantha.
SPIREA: An excellent plant selection for foundation plantings, shrub border or planted in masses. Many leaf & flower colors with varying height & sizes to choose from. Blooms abundantly on new growth. Prune in late winter or early spring. (Some minor pruning after blooming in mid summer). Easy to grow in any soil and full sun. The following are varieties of spirea.
VIBURNUM: A diverse group of shrubs providing season long interest to the landscape. Most varieties flower in the spring, produce berries to attract wildlife and have stunning fall foliage. Can be used in borders, hedges, and mass plantings. Adapt best in moist, fertile soil and can thrive in full sun to part shade. The following are varieties of viburnum.
WEIGELA: A unique group of shrubs that are gaining popularity because of their breathtaking, trumpet shaped blossoms and improved varieties. Prune their woody stems in late winter to early spring. Give some winter protection. The following are varieties of weigela.
MISCELLANEOUS varieties: Other shrubs worth recognition because of their popularity and diverse use in the landscape.