Shrubs, Flowers and Fruit

Learn about several plant varieties and the planting information for each zone.

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Dwarf Alfredo Vibernum

dwarf alfredo vibernum has long lasting drupes

Any plant that can take zone 2 is going to be unhappy in zone 7.

Deciduous shrub with long-lasting bright red or cranberry drupes.
Foliage is shiny, medium green and attractive throughout the summer.
Aphid-resistant but does not tolerate excessive heat well.
Though the flowers and fruiting of this cultivar can be sparse, it is unrivaled in its fall color which is bright orange and red.Grows to 6' tall and wide with a dense, rounded habit.

Hardy in USDA zones 2-7

Variegated Red Twig Dogwood

variegated red twig dogwood has red stems

This deciduous shrub has variegated foliage and striking red winter stems.

Tolerates Wet or Dry Soil
AHS Heat zones 8-1

Hardy in USDA zones 2-8:
Zone 2: Plant in spring to establish before winter; plant in full sun; minimal pruning needed in this zone; protect with mulch after ground freezes.
Zone 3: Plant in spring to establish before winter; plant in full sun; prune severely in early spring to encourage vigorous red growth but little flowering or prune after flowering; protect with mulch after ground freezes.
Zone 4: Plant in spring to establish before winter; plant in full sun; prune severely in early spring to encourage vigorous red growth but little flowering or prune after flowering; protect with mulch after ground freezes.
Zone 5: Plant in spring to establish before winter; plant in full to light shade; prune severely in early spring to encourage vigorous red growth but little flowering or prune after flowering;
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; red color will be better in full sun; prune severely in early spring to encourage vigorous red growth but little flowering or prune after flowering;
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; red color will be better in full sun but may be muted in this warmer climate; prune severely in early spring to encourage vigorous red growth but little flowering or prune after flowering; water regularly in dry periods during growing season.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; red color will be better in full sun but may be muted in this warmer climate; prune severely in early spring to encourage vigorous red growth but little flowering or prune after flowering; water regularly in dry periods during growing season.

Emerald Gaiety Euonymus

emerald gaiety euonymus has cascading habit

E. fortunei has demonstrated invasiveness in the Midwest, Northeast and South.

Compact evergreen shrub with a cascading habit and shiny green leaves with a silver edge
Plant in poor to average garden soil that is well-drained
Plant in full sun to partial shade
Invasive; susceptible to scale
Height: 4-5 feet; Width: 3 feet

Hardy in USDA zones (4)5-8(9):
Zone 4: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; avoid exposure to salt; mulch heavily after first frost; pull back mulch in spring; may survive better with good snow cover and protection from harsh winter wind.
Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; avoid exposure to salt; mulch heavily after first frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 7: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 9: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring; may not thrive in this zone.

'Icebox ' Watermelon

icebox watermelon has round shape with dark rind

Vines with small varieties of watermelon – easily accommodated in the refrigerator

Round shape with dark or light rind
Produces 5-15 pound fruit in 10-14 weeks after sowing
Plant in full sun
Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral soil
Height: 12 inches; Length: 10+ feet

Summer Annual
All Zones: Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before first frost; plant outdoors when daytime temperatures reach 70 degrees; water regularly when dry; remove vines after harvest or after first killing frost.

Big Boy Tomato

big boy tomato is old fashioned, popular hybrid

Old fashioned, popular hybrid producing large fruits that are thick and meaty

Indeterminate variety with bushy habit
Produces large 1-pound fruit 78 days after sowing seed
Plant in full sun
Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral soil
Height: 4-5 feet; Width: 2 feet

Summer Annual
All Zones: Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before first frost; plant outdoors when daytime temperatures reach 70 degrees; water regularly when dry; remove plants after final harvest or after first killing frost.

Bigleaf Hydrangea

bigleaf hydrangea is old fashioned deciduous shrub

Old fashioned deciduous shrub with pink or blue flowers (depending upon soil pH)

Height: 4-5 feet; Width: 4-5 feet
Moist, but well-drained soil
Plant in light to partial shade; prune after flowering in summer.

Hardy in USDA zones 6-9:
Zone 6: Plant in spring or very early fall; apply mulch after first hard frost; plant in light shade with protection from afternoon sun; plant may fail to bloom after hard late frosts; water regularly in dry spells during growing season.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; apply mulch in fall; plant in light to partial shade with protection from afternoon sun; blooming may decrease after hard late frosts; water regularly in dry spells during growing season.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in partial shade with protection from afternoon sun; water regularly in dry spells during growing season.
Zone 9: Plant in early fall; plant in partial shade with protection from afternoon sun; water regularly in dry spells during growing season.

Nikko Blue Hydrangea

nikko blue hydrangea has showy blue flowers

Old fashioned deciduous shrub with showy blue flowers

Height: 4-6 feet; Width: 4-6 feet
Moist, but well-drained soil
Part sun to part shade.

Hardy in USDA zones 5-9:
Zone 5: Plant in spring or very early fall; apply mulch after first hard frost; plant in light shade with protection from afternoon sun; plant may fail to bloom after hard late frosts; water regularly in dry spells during growing season.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or very early fall; apply mulch after first hard frost; plant in light shade with protection from afternoon sun; plant may fail to bloom after hard late frosts; water regularly in dry spells during growing season.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; apply mulch in fall; plant in light to partial shade with protection from afternoon sun; blooming may decrease after hard late frosts; water regularly in dry spells during growing season.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in partial shade with protection from afternoon sun; water regularly in dry spells during growing season.
Zone 9: Plant in early fall; plant in partial shade with protection from afternoon sun; water regularly in dry spells during growing season.

Green Mountain Boxwood

green mountain boxwood keeps green color in winter

Upright, pyramidal evergreen shrub with dark green leaves that is extremely hardy

Plants maintain green color in winter
Plant in rich, moist but well-drained soil; fertilize in spring; prune in early spring
Plant can tolerate exposure to salt
Plant in full sun to partial shade
Height: 5 feet; Width: 3-4 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 5-9:
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first frost.
Zone 9: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first frost.

Green Velvet Boxwood

green velvet boxwood has rounded habit

Compact evergreen shrub with good green foliage and rounded habit

Plant in rich, moist but well-drained soil; fertilize in spring; prune in early spring
Plant can tolerate exposure to salt
Plant in full sun to partial shade
Height: 3-4 feet; Width: 3-4 feet

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

dwarf alberta spruce is conical evergreen shrub

Broad, conical evergreen shrub with light green needles radiating around stem

Plant in full sun in moist, but well-drained soil
Protect from harsh winds and hot sun
Watch for presence of spider mites
Water to establish and then when dry
Height: 10-12 feet; Width: 5-6 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 2-6:
Zone 2: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter winds.
Zone 3: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter winds.
Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter winds.
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter winds.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in a sunny area but avoiding hot afternoon sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid exposure to harsh winter winds.

Coleus

coleus has brightly colored foliage

Vigorous annual with brightly colored foliage and neat, trailing habit

Plant in moist, but well-drained soil
Plant in full sun to light shade
Remove flowers and pinch new shoots to encourage bushiness
Height: to 36 inches; Width: to 36 inches
Water when dry during growing season; fertilize bi-weekly during growing season

Annual in zones 2-10
Marginally hardy in zone 11:
Zones 2-10: Plant in spring after danger of frost has past; plant in full sun to light shade; plant in moist, but well-drained soil; water when dry; fertilize with high nitrogen fertilizer every 2 weeks during growing season; remove in fall.
Zone 11: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; plant in moist, but well-drained soil; water when dry; fertilize with high nitrogen fertilizer every 2 weeks during growing season; cut back ½ and mulch in fall; marginally hardy in this zone.

Marigold Safari

marigold safari has carnation like double flowers

Annual with carnation-like double yellow flowers that are 3 inches across

Blooms early
Plant in moist, but well-drained soil
Plant in full sun to light shade
Water when dry during growing season; fertilize bi-weekly during growing season
Height: 8-10 inches; Width: 10-12 inches

Annual in all zones
All Zones: Plant in spring after danger of frost has past; plant in full sun to light shade; plant in moist, but well-drained soil; water when dry; fertilize with high nitrogen fertilizer every 2 weeks during growing season; remove in fall.

Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine

ornamental sweet potato vine is heart shaped

Vigorous trailing vine with chartreuse heart-shaped foliage

Usually grown as an annual in all zones
Plant in moist, but well-drained soil; water when dry
Tolerates heat
Plant in full sun
Height: 6 inches; Length: to 48 inches or more

Annual in USDA zones 2-9
Hardy in USDA zones 10-11:
Zones 2-9: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; fertilize with water-based fertilizer twice monthly during growing season; cut back foliage and dig tubers for indoors before frost or discard plants after killing frost.
Zones 10-11: Plant in spring; mulch in fall; prune away old foliage in early spring; fertilize twice monthly during spring and summer.

Variegated Lily Turf

variegated lily turf has linear foliage

Thick, tufted evergreen ground cover with linear foliage with creamy edges

Blue-purple flowers in fall followed by a dark berries
Plant in full sun to full shade
Prune or mow in late winter; divide in spring
Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil; water freely until established
Height: 12 inches Width: 18 inches

Hardy in zones 6-10:
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; protect from drying winds.
Zone 7: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; protect from drying winds.
Zone 8: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to moderate shade; mulch in fall; protect from drying winds.
Zone 9: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to full shade; mulch in fall; protect from drying winds.
Zone 10: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to full shade; mulch in fall; protect from drying winds.

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