Among the bewildering lists of shrubs, certain names stand out as
new and unusual, or, on the other hand, tried and familiar. These
include both the evergreen and deciduous types.
Rhododendron and azaleas (a type of rhododendron) head the list
of evergreens with some 700 species. Hardy and long-lived, these
ornamental woody plants have flowers of all shapes, colors and
tints. Well-liked are the pink pearl, and the Rhododendron
maximum, with its large pinkish flowers.
Hardy hybrid species also are the Boule de neige (white) ; the
Abraham Lincoln and Lady Armstrong (pink) ; the Everestianum
(purple) ; and the Caractacus (red). Rhododendrons won't grow in
limey soil, and humus should be supplied liberally to protect
them from winter-burn.
Azaleas thrive under the same conditions as rhododendrons—that
is, in partial shade—and like rhododendrons in general may be
used for foundation planting; they do well in thin woodlands. The
Azalea malus has flowers in pastel shades of orange, yellow and
tan.
Boxwood has been a well-loved shrub for generations, especially
where winters are not so severe. This evergreen can be pruned to
formal rounded shapes. Left to grow, it sometimes attains 20
feet. It is used as a shrub for paths and walks.
Euonymus patens is an evergreen shrub that is hardy. It has
glossy green leaves and red berries. Some of the evergreen holly
shrubs, such as Japanese Holly, or Inkberry, are popular.
Japanese Holly resembles boxwood.
Laurel is another familiar evergreen shrub, valuable for
foundation planting. American mountain laurel bears clusters of
pink flowers in spring.
Pachysandra (Japanese Spurge) is a dense evergreen ground cover
for places where grass won't grow. Among the deciduous shrubs,
lilac is probably one of the best liked. If you buy lilac be sure
that it is grafted either on its own stock or on privet stock.
Plant lilac as early as the soil can be worked.
The common lilac, which has light purple flowers and reaches a
height of about 10 feet, is the best known. There are several
hundred varieties, in white, pinkish-lilac, reddish-lilac and
bluish-lilac.
About the Author
Paul Curran is CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and
webmaster at Trees-and-Bushes.com, providing access to their
nursery supplier for a range of quality plants, trees, bushes,
shrubs, seeds and garden products.Visit their
shrubs section to find a great selection of shrubs for your
garden