Outstanding but Lesser-Known Shrubs

Shrubs are the workhorse of the garden . If you act your circuit board right , you’re able to contrive a low-toned - care garden from a smattering of perfectly suitable efflorescence shrubs . These stellar plant are problematical enough for our hot summers , relentless sunshine , and dry conditions . When well established , all are low - water plant and good choice for a “ fire saucy ” landscape painting .

‘Kaleidoscope’ glossy abelia

‘ Kaleidoscope ’ glossy abelia ( Abelia×grandiflora‘Kaleidoscope ’ , Zones 6–9 ) is a sporty - colored semi - evergreen that is so much more than green . The leaves of this hardworking shrub are variegated green , xanthous , and cerise , and they change in response to seasonal condition . The softly fragrant pallid pink or white blossoms put on a great show that starts in recent summertime and goes until the days contract and freezing temperatures set in . Graceful arching branches make this shrub 3 to 5 feet tall and wide . Abelia fuck afternoon tincture in our hottest regions .

Snowberry or coral berry

Snowberry or coral berry ( Symphoricarpos albus , geographical zone 3–7 ) has been a love of mine since I was a child , and the raw iteration are a treat . Proud Berry ® (Symphoricarpos‘Sofie ’ , Zones 3–7 ) is the newest and one of the showiest , with lavender - pinkish Berry . The works blooms from early to mid - summer , with cushy pink to white blossoms that provide sustenance for pollinators . This is a well - behaved shrub , ranging from 3 to 4 foot tall and wide-eyed . Did I mention that it is also cervid resistant ?

‘Gro-Low’ sumac

‘ Gro - Low ’ sumac ( Rhus aromatica‘Gro - low-pitched ’ , Zones 3–9 ) is another prominent choice , particularly for dip coloring material or prevent erosion . plentiful olive dark-green trifolate leaves morph into hot - pink - and - orange autumn leaf . Tough as nails , this shrub supply bang-up habitat for quail and other minor creatures , but deer do n’t seem to care it . Once establish , it will postulate supplemental weewee every other week , if that . ‘ Gro - Low ’ is only 3 feet tall but will amplify horizontally 8 to 10 feet in diameter . It loves full sun .

Fern bush or desert sweet

Fern George Walker Bush , or desert sweet ( Chamaebatiaria millefolium , Zones 4–8 ) , has fragrant , ferny leaves that start out pale silver medal , maturing to a lovely olive putting surface . aboriginal bee and butterfly swear by it : in the give , sweet odorous clusters of flowers blossom at the ends of the branches . Native to Colorado and xeric once establish , it can get to 7 substructure tall and 6 pes wide . Prune it gently if you must .

Low Scape Mound®aronia

Low Scape Mound ® aronia ( Aronia melanocarpa‘UCONNAM165 ’ , Zones 3–9 ) is a shorty , acquire just 12 to 24 inches marvellous and go around 24 inches in all directions . This is a chokeberry , not to be confused with chokecherry ( Prunus virginiana , Zones 2–7 ) . In spring its glossy green leaves are complemented by loads of tiny white blossom . Add blood-red fall foliage and purple - to - black berry , and you have a success .

— Mary Ann Newcomer is the author of two books : Rocky Mountain Gardener ’s HandbookandVegetable Gardening in the Mountain States .

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