Highly Recommended Shrubs and Trees

[torontotrini]

Weeterrier's thread on highly recommended perennials has inspired me to start this one on highly recommended shrubs. In many ways, I've found it more difficult to settle on a "gotta have" shrub, than I did for a "gotta have" perennial. There is such a range of different kinds of shrubs, and so much depends on what kind of gardening design profile you're looking for; e.g evergreens - broadleaf or needles -; flowering; berries/fruits/seeds producing for birds; foliage colour/variegation; fall colour; size; fragrance; etc., etc. You could just about choose one in each category. Well, after much ponderous thought and soul searching ;D I've come to the conclusion that my "must have" shrub is weigela. They are just wonderful. They come in a good range of flowers colour and are profuse bloomers, attract humming birds (if they're in your area) and butterflies, comfortable size so they fit well in small gardens; very hardy; etc. Here are 2 of my favourites. What do you recommend?

[andy]

Have to agree about wegeila...top plant. My top 5 would be...

1) Fatsia Japonica.....hard as nails, exotic, easy to keep, can be cut back, can be grown in a tub or border, can be grown north facing. There is also a variagated variety.

2) Sambucus sp....lots of different species of Elders from the common S. Nigra to the purple leaved 'black knight', golden 'plumosus aureus' and 'variagata'...easy to grow, flowers followed by berries, can be pruned hard.

3) Hebes....so many different species from tiny alpine varieties to 12' high monsters. There's usually a variety of hebe in flower at some time of the year.

4) Phormiums....from the small bronze baby, yellow wave and maori sunrise to the huge P. Tennax, this stunning architechtural plant is a must for tubs and borders.

5) Philadelphus....lots of different varieties all grown for their fragrance in early to mid summer. Small varieties such as P. Microphyllus pack as much of a punch as the taller P. 'virginal'...which can get to 20' high if left.

There's my 5 ;D

[Weeterrier]

I'm a great fan of Leucothoe.. Insignificant flowers but their foliage is great. Keeps a good shape too.
For spring colour and beauty, I like Corylopsis. Apart from the stunning flowers, the leaves show subtle colour changes.. I don't have one, but one of my clients has, will try to get a photo tomorrow.
For spring perfume, deciduous azaleas. Heavenly. Photo soon, mine are in bud just now.
There are just so many good shrubs

So many plants, so little space

[Weeterrier]

Don't know what it is like elsewhere in the country, but Pieris 'Forest Flame' is in almost every garden up here. Which makes it unappreciated really. But it really is a stupendous shrub, with its changing leaf colour, so striking at the moment being scarlet, and its pretty delicate clusters of flowers. And another is Enkianthus. Unusual shape . Both acid lovers.
Must get photos organised.

[torontotrini]

Yes, Pieris is a very attractive and interesting shrub. I tried it a few years ago but it never did well for me. The write up on it said it likes acidic soil and partial shade, and requires shelter from wind. It also is supposed to have a fragrance like lily of the valley. I tried locating it in those conditions but it just struggled, so eventually I gave up on it. I don't see it much in gardens around here either, yet every year all the GCs I normally go to carry it.

[Spruance]

This is a photo of my three largest and oldest pieris taken on on 13.04.08 TT....



All three plants are getting on for thirty years old and the tallest is around 7ft 6" (2.286mtrs) tall.

I remember buying a plant from the local GC a few years ago and being told that it wouldn't grow locally as the soil pH was wrong!

We are very fortunate to have a neutral pH of 7 in the garden and so have the best of both worlds. The pieris in the photo are in full sun up to early afternoon and then fall into the the shadow of the house for the rest of the day. I suppose that they do receive an element of wind protection from the large ceanothus to the rear but others around the garden seem to thrive in more exposed areas.

The only special treatment they get is an occasional tonic of sequestered iron in the summer to prevent the leaves from yellowing.

[madonplants]

For me, has to be Weigela (again, sorry) and probably not everyone's favourite, Buddleia. Weigela because it is a doer and first shrub I ever propogated all those years ago, still have a cutting from a cutting from a cutting etc. from that original plant, and the Butterfly Bush for the obvious reason, it attracts butterflies.

I also like Viburnum Opulus (Guelder Rose) and Rhododendrons.

[torontotrini]

Wow. Spruance. You're opening up some temptation here for me, and you know I can resist everything except temptation. ;D Have done well in full sun you say, eh?

[Spruance]

May 1, 2008 17:28:44 GMT torontotrini said:

Wow. Spruance. You're opening up some temptation here for me, and you know I can resist everything except temptation. ;D Have done well in full sun you say, eh?

Yes indeed TT, and funnily enough the one that is in shade under the canopy of the ornamental plum tree at the bottom of the garden doesn't do as well as the similarly sized plants in full sun in the front garden.

You could always dig in some peat if you want to be doubly sure about the pH level.

The only other thought is hardiness. You may be ok on that though as it is originally a mountain growing plant of east Asia. According to this link it grows well in British Columbia and although that is a fair way off from you it does at least give you some idea.

www.canada.com/pennyworth/story.html?id=46d34965-9621-4264-af72-bac152ceaead&k=9270

[torontotrini]

You've cost me some money Spruance. Guess what I picked up over the weekend. Yes; Pieris "Mountain Fire". ;D After seeing your pic I decided to give it another try. I got one at a nice price. It's amazing though, and very frustrating how the information about the plant varies so much depending on the grower; same for the price. I checked around at a few different GCs, nurseries and "seasonal sellers" (like in large supermarket chains, Home Depot, etc) and depending on the grower, the exposure requirement info ran the full range from sun to full shade, and the height ranged from 3-4ft up to 8-10ft. And this wasn't for different cultivars of the plant. I'm talking about the same cultivar, "Mountain Fire". At least they all agreed that it needs acidic soil. I've located the one I got in a partial shade area with some protection from the wind, and mixed in an ample amount of peat in the planting hole so I hope it dos OK there. I'll keep a close eye on it.

[Spruance]

Good for you TT. I'm sure it will do just fine.

[Ruthie]

Just been thinking about Viburnums and, although I haven't got any (yet.....) I just love many of the varieties. The best one around at the moment is plicatum 'Mariesii'. Fantastic show stopper if you have room (I don't). V opulus (the guelder rose) is another one I covet and may have to have some day (it grows wild in some places round here too). Another I remember swooning over at the, now gone, College at Burlingham was v juddii. I could go on.....................mustn't forget the winter flowering ones too! Ooooh, I MUST have one!!

[Weeterrier]

My neighbour has a very large Viburnum 'Mariesii', and it is, indeed, very lovely. And she has the space around it to show it off. She doesn't buy plants like me
On the whole, I'm a big fan of the genus.

[Plocket]

I have to agree that weigelia and hebes are incredibly useful. I also like varigated myrtle, but it does need a sheltered spot.

[Weeterrier]

I don't have that myself, but I planted it for one of my 'ladies' It is lovely, and adds a splash of brightness.

[Rosefriend]

May 27, 2008 18:26:36 GMT Ruthie said:

Just been thinking about Viburnums and, although I haven't got any (yet.....) I just love many of the varieties. The best one around at the moment is plicatum 'Mariesii'.

I totally agree with V. plicatum "Mariesii" and I have a pic on my garden thread of mine. I wish that I a little more room to show it off but it still is a beauty.

Another snowball that I have had only a short time is Viburnum x burkwoodii "Mohawk". It is one of the best varieties that I have ever seen and had. Healthy, scent and colour - exceptional in every way.

RF

[JennyWrenn]

Must give praise to this stunning plant/shrub. I have three in my garden and they grow to huge proportions - but easily managed

to hide a fence or shed they are ideal - buy them as small plants and in a year they have grown really high - usually last 2 or 3 years but can be replaced so easily

They must like clay soil ;D

This is the one in my Front Garden - see how tall it is


Same one front garden


Back garden, bit battered with all the rain but it will soon perk up - this one is huuuuuuuuuuuuuge - next to the Buddleja


Side of house again a little windblown

[farmersboy]

Fantastic Jenny, ;D yes they are lovely plants,and they dont only grow in cley,my sister has one and its flowers are so thick that you can hardly see the leaves

[JennyWrenn]

Bees love them ;D

[Deleted]

I always think they look nice but I had one and it was a thug. It pretty much took over the whole border even after I chopped it back every year so I ditched it in the end.

FA x

[Ladygardener]

Thanks for posting those lovely pics J.W. I'vve had one for years but the awful winds last year rocked its roots out. I grew it from cuttings. I've given cuttings of it to my son in law and it's really beautiful this year since he cut it down hard last year.
The blooms last well into winter. I'm happy to say I took a couple of cuttings of mine in the winter before it died and now it's blooming. ;D Only one small stem but Its doing so well.

[JennyWrenn]

I have noticed the stems/truck are very brittle and they dont have much of a secure root system - anything that grows for me is good - they must like the clay

[Ladygardener]

Yes I'm on clay too,although over the years I've added so much compost and manure, so is my son-in-law.

[Pip]

Lavatera are lovely shrubs Jenny. I prune mine down each year to keep it in form and it never fails.

Pip

[JennyWrenn]

How many years do yours keep going Pip - I dont think have had them for more than 2 years even tho I prune them back - although the one in the front garden seems to be going well

They do tend to bend over dont they and then get a bit top heavy so the root system is disturbed a lot

[Deleted]

Photinia 'red robin' fraseri
www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/647.shtml
Common and colourful like meself Fast growing and evergreen

[Deleted]

Ive always wanted to get a few Camelias but havent so far

[Dutchy]

Viburnum bodnantense Dawn winter flowering. Would not want to do without. Flowers and mells divinde at a time when you need it most.
But I admit it looks drab in summer ... which makes it a perfect backdrop for perennials etc ;D

[Shrubrose]

I love lavatera, though I've only had one for a year. I pruned it, perhaps too harshly, and it never recovered.

[bagpuss]

If I could have one shrub it would be Daphne