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'must have it,' 'I love it' and 'WOW' shrub ideas please

Posted by two_munkeys z6 ON (My Page) on
Tue, Apr 20, 10 at 12:53

Just cleared a "brush" patch that used to be a nice garden. I'm starting fresh, just a single yew (dense yew, I think) left. Looking to make a shrub border.

I'm in zone 6b.
The site is average soil
well-drained but not dry
Sun from 9 am until about 3 pm in summer (more sun for taller plants)
on the east side of a 7' fence, somewhat protected from winter winds
lots of evergreens around (Norway spruce, cedar, colorado spruce)
want shrubs of various sizes but no more than about 10' at maturity (will prune/trim/shear)

I'm looking for a colourful summer border, preferably with 3 or 4 season beauty.

I realize there are hundreds if not thousands of shrubs out there and this is a pretty general question, but I'm clueless when it comes to shrubs.

So far, running through my mind are dogwood, hydrangea, viburnum, golden cutleaf elder, wine and roses weigela and a couple of evergreen shrubs (pieris, boxwood?).

Tell me your "must have it," "I love it" and "WOW" shrubs.

Thanks!


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: 'must have it,' 'I love it' and 'WOW' shrub ideas please

I love my Maidens blush Lilac. It has huge clusters of pink flowers with a wonderful fragrance. Also my Beauty of Moscow lilac. Gorgeous flowers.


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RE: 'must have it,' 'I love it' and 'WOW' shrub ideas please

  • Posted by ditas z4b-5 Iowa (My Page) on
    Tue, Apr 20, 10 at 23:30

Check out Cornus Alba -(Variegated) Creamy white edged foliage in Spring & Summer & beautiful red sticks in Fall & Winter ... There's Ivory Halo, the child of Elegantissima. I just planted 2 more (3 in a row) w/ Oakleaf Hydrangeas on each end in a 40' long p/s border bed. I have Patriot Hostas, tucked here & there to carry the Green & creamy white theme ... in the very front are Shell Pink (actually Lavender) Lamium for accent (Lamiums also has variegated foliage!

Good luck & have fun with your choices!!! €;)


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RE: 'must have it,' 'I love it' and 'WOW' shrub ideas please

Hard to think of a more WOW shrub than a Viburnum 'Shasta' in full bloom. Though an Oak Leaf hydrangea with a clematis like Etoile Violette climbing through it isn't too bad either.


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RE: 'must have it,' 'I love it' and 'WOW' shrub ideas please

I am partial to hydrangeas because of their bloom period more than anything. Take a look at the Lime Light, Quick Fire, and Pinky Winky Hydrangeas. Along with the Oakleafs like mentioned before sound perfect for the location. Along with being very hardy. If you are looking for some summer color Butterfly Bushes are hard to beat also.


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RE: 'must have it,' 'I love it' and 'WOW' shrub ideas please

If you like interesting bark and leaf color, try a ninebark. They have white flowers and small berries, and are extremely hardy. Coppertina and Diablo will grow 10' tall and vase-like, while Dart's Gold and Summer Wine are about half-sized and mor rounded. Dart's Gold will leaf out chartreuse and mellow to a light green. The others have interesting dark leaf colors. Good luck!


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RE: 'must have it,' 'I love it' and 'WOW' shrub ideas please

You may want to check out a Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' if you want a shrub with a WOW factor. I just bought two today and they are quite interesting

Here is a link that might be useful: picture of a whipcord


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