Shrubs form the backbone of most landscape designs. These permanent plantings define and divide areas of the garden into separate rooms. To maximize your landscape budget, avoid costly mistakes. Make sure you're putting the right plant in the right place -- and that the planting site can accommodate a plant of the shrub's height and spread. Here are some traditional favorites to consider:
Hydrangeas need a rich, porous soil on the acid side of the pH scale. Most bloom on the previous year's wood and should be pruned after flowering. They prefer light shade but will withstand full sun in mild climates. To encourage larger flowers, reduce the number of stems. Bloom color (except for white varieties) is influenced by soil pH. Pink flowers can be encouraged by adding lime to the surrounding soil to bring the pH above 5.5. If the soil pH is less than 5.5, flowers will be blue. If your soil is more alkaline, add aluminum sulfate to reduce the pH.
Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) (figure A) is an evergreen shrub or small tree hardy to Zone 5. The height of cultivars varies widely, from 1' to 15'. It requires full sun or partial shade.
The genus Potentilla (figure B) includes both herbaceous perennials and shrubs. P. fruticosa, or shrubby cinquefoil, is a bushy deciduous shrub that reaches a height of about 3' and is hardy to Zone 3. These plants require some shade in hot climates.
The genus Spiraea (figure C) includes many species of deciduous or semievergreen shrubs. They grow best in full sun and are in the same family as roses, apples, almonds, cherries, peaches and plums.
Cotoneasters may be evergreen, deciduous or semievergreen, depending on the species. Most produce attractive fruit in autumn. Deciduous species prefer full sun; the evergreens grow well in sun or partial shade, but the dwarf evergreens fruit better in full sun.
Plants in the genus Juniperus are evergreen coniferous shrubs or tall trees. Grow them in full sun or light, dappled shade and well-drained soil.
Large-leaf evergreen rhododendrons are blooming shrubs, most requiring an acid soil, shade and ample moisture. They're often used as foundation plantings and thrive in woodland settings.
RESOURCES :
for the American Horticultural Society's Practical Guide, Flowering Shrubs
DK Publishing - Main Office
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-213-4800
Fax: 212-213-5240
for the book A-Z of Evergreen Trees and Shrubs
Reader's Digest Association Inc.
Pleasantville, NY 10570
Phone: 800-431-1246 OR 914-
for the book Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia
Timber Press
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 503-227-2878
for the book Taylor's Guide to Shrubs
Houghton Mifflin Co.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-351-5000
Email: tradecustomerservice@hmco.com
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