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| I'm revamping a prominent section of my shrub border to replace a japanese maple that died. The area is full sun, western exposure. So far I have two limelight hydrangeas and a summer wine ninebark. I'm stuck on ideas for some smaller shrubs that would combine nicely in front of these and provide contrast in form and color. It's a wide border and I have at least six feet in front to fill. Evergeen suggestions are welcome as well as shrubs that might flower before the limelights. Other shrubs used prominently throughout the rest of the border are knockout roses, variegated red twig dogwood, magic carpet spirea, glossy abelia and caryopteris sunshine blue. I have plenty of ideas for perennials but I'm trying to make the border more manageable and give it more structure by using shrubs. All suggestions are welcome. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| If you haven't seen Miss Ruby butterfly bush, take a look. The color would be quite beautiful with those two shrubs...that's where I placed mine. I was able to purchase at a local nursery. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Miss Ruby Buddleia
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| Sprry to hear you lost your japanese maple. It can be heart-wrenching to lose a tree. I'm always a big fan of 'The Fairy' rose becuase it blooms from June until November and the medium pink flowers blend well with the shrubs you have. I also like Diervilla lonicera dwarf bush honeysuckle. It is blooming now, small yellow flowers with a bronzy foliage. What about some smaller perennial grasses? A yellow spirea like S. thunbergii 'Ogon' might be nice. 'Lo and Behold' butterfly bush is a smaller BB. How about perhaps even a tree peony? For evergreens, I have both Kalmia and Andromeda doing very well in full sun. There are also a lot of beautiful Chamaecyparis out there that might fit the bill for you. |
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- Posted by gardener365 5a (My Page) on Sat, Jun 19, 10 at 7:20
| A few two ideas: Viburnum Brandywine and Winterthur Blueberries! berries, fall color, and winter bark. Dax |
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- Posted by arbordayle 6 PA (My Page) on Sun, Jun 20, 10 at 8:57
| Thanks for the suggestions. The Japanese maple was about 15 years old and I was sad we had to remove it. I've stayed away from butterfly bushes in the past because the ones around here always seem to look weedy and overgrown and the flowers are not very impressive. I might be changing my mind - Miss Ruby looks very pretty although it might be a little big for the area. I also recently purchased a blue chip butterfly bush and put it in a pot to see how I like it. It's supposed to be self cleaning but I'm not sure what that means. So far the spent blooms are just hanging there making the plant look pretty unattractive. I haven't cut them off yet because I wanted to see what would happen. I'm going to check out the other suggestions too. I have plenty of time to decide because I probably won't be adding anything until the fall. At this point in the season, it's too hard to keep new plantings watered. |
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