Regional Picks: Showy Shrubs – California

See regional picks for showy bush , and say the article by Paul Cappiello for even more ideas .

“ Show - hold back bush — you know the kind . You ’re leading a group of friends around the garden , and they ’re politely comply you with gin and tonic in hand , oooing and aaahing in more or less hushed smell . And then it happens . They blot something in the aloofness that throws the whole shebang into bedlam . The formerly demure and right garden kinsfolk are throwing precipitous human elbow as they vie for the best path to whatever it is that catch their corporate eye . After all , they ’ve get to be the first to Instagram the heck out of it . ” Read moreShow - Stopping bush .

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1.Yellow Bells

Tecoma stans

Zones:7–11

Size:6 to 20 feet marvellous and 5 to 15 foot wide ( grows small in inland areas )

Conditions : Full sun ; well - drained stain

Native Range : Southwestern United States , part of Mexico and Central America

This is one of my favorite plants for a water - wise garden because , aside from its drought tolerance , it blooms prolifically and endure a wide reach of soils and temperature . Yellow bells can flower for months at a time . Use it as a colourful backcloth , a focal detail , massed in larger gardens , or constitute to make a ocular statement in a decorative container . There are some newly introduce cultivars sporting unlike blossom color compounding ( intermingle chromaticity of yellow , orange , and brick red ) and also new dwarf variety that stick around only 3 to 4 feet tall , but the straight species is still a star .

2.Variegated Sky Flower

Duranta erecta‘Variegata’

Zones:8–10

Size:15 to 25 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide

weather condition : Full sun to partial spectre ; skimpy , well - drain ground

Native Range : South America , Mexico , and the Caribbean

Although variegated sky flower can be turn as a small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a magnanimous bush , it handles pruning well and is versatile enough to be retain much smaller — even as a trained espalier . vary foliage is edged and splosh with livid , giving it a scintillating , ethereal effect . The wind of arching , sylphlike stems explode in clusters of bright , blue - purple heyday followed by panicle of glowing aureate berry . Birds and butterflies love it . Line up several plant to produce a living wall , to satisfy a niche , or to plow an unsightly thought . Or you may use the shrub as a solo performer palisade by the ground cover of your choice .

3.Black Lace®Elderberry

Sambucus nigra‘Eva’

Zones:4–7

Size:4 to 8 foot marvelous and wide

Conditions : fond nuance ; moist , well - drained soil

Native Range : Europe , northern Africa , and southwestern Asia

If you have sex Nipponese maple ( Acer palmatumand cvs . , Zones 5–8 ) but live in a place where dry air and desiccating winds make them struggle , try Black Lace ® elderberry . Despite being consider in effect for cooler areas , this stunning bush will handle the high temperatures of canyon and chaparral if given shade and plenty of H2O for the first yr or two . This deciduous Sambucus nigra is clothe with finely cut , abstruse calamitous - purple foliage topped with vast lacy platters of tiny pinkish bloom in late spring follow by black Charles Edward Berry . It creates a lovely dark backdrop for near all florescence perennial , or you could simply get it contrast with other green leaf plants , where it will be a strong - to - drop focal point .

4.Purple Pixie®Dwarf Weeping Fringe Flower

Loropetalum chinense‘Peack’

Zones:7–10

Size:1 foot tall and 4 to 5 feet broad

term : Full sun to full shade ; well - drained soil

Native Range : China , Japan , and Southeast Asia

Fringe flowers bid another fashion to paint all - season color into the garden with leafage . Purple Pixie ® confound in fringe tassel of brilliant hot pink prime that light up the rich Burgundy wine - violet , evergreen leaves . With its modest growth habit and gracefully arch stems , this variety suits a wide-cut spectrum of landscape painting styles . test it in matching containers for an entryway , or use it as an informal , mound ground top to frame taller , vertical - growing plants . Although on the coast it will tolerate full Dominicus , inland this lulu needs to be sited in mostly tint .

Jane Gates is a landscape designer from Los Angeles .

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Black Lace Elderberry

Photo: Doreen Wynja

Scotts Cordless Grass - Shear / Shrub - Trimmer Combo

Black and Decker 22 - in Cordless Hedge Trimmer

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Yellow Bells

Photo: Doreen Wynja

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Regional Picks: Showy Shrubs – Midwest

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