Shrubby Plants for Tight Spots in Northern California

Pack a lot of drama into a small space with one of these unique selections

Gardening in a small blank can be a challenge , especially if you ’ve recently downsize and are more habitual to work with larger landscapes and the full - sized perennial , vine , and shrubs that invest them . But you do n’t involve to let special outdoor space preempt drama , grain , and colour in your garden . Whether you ’re transform a olive-drab urban dapple of grass into a colorful oasis or just fill a collection of pretty container , you could bring beauty to your outer space and create a garden you could be lofty of with these four flyspeck varieties of much be intimate , full - size of it favorites .

Coffee Bean ™ miniature rose

Coffee Bean ™ miniature rose ( Rosa‘WEKdoudou ’ , Zones 5–9 ) is a bantam , easy - upkeep rosebush that grows into a rounded shrub measuring a scant 20 inches in diam . It creates sake from recent spring through fall with an abundance of gorgeous 2 - column inch blossom . The smoky , chocolate - coral rosebuds positively pop against the backdrop of deep green , showy leaf and open to reveal bright , bronze sum with a finespun teatime bouquet . Disease - repellent , tolerant of cooler weather , and fantabulous at repeat blooming , Coffee Bean ™ is an ideal patio container choice , but it looks just as lovely popped into a recurrent border . Grow in full sun , in full-bodied , well - enfeeble soil .

Sapphire Indigo ™ clematis

From June through September , Sapphire Indigo ™ clematis ( Clematis‘Cleminov 51 ’ , Zones 4–10 ) produces masses of single , 4 - inch - widely , thick purple flower center on with equal indigo plant anthers . This shrubby , low - growing clematis will stretch to 4 feet if originate on a trellis ; if left untrained , it will form a 3 - foot arching mound , which looks mythic spilling out of a large hang basket or meander through a low fencing or shaded perennial bed . No pruning is necessary for this salmagundi , but cut it back by half after it ’s finished blooming will quick boost another spectacular blossom flush . Sapphire Indigo ™ is happiest shade off from the afternoon Lord’s Day and plant in well - drained , enriched soil . It also makes a great cut flower .

‘ Munchkin ’ oakleaf hydrangea

‘ Munchkin ’ oakleaf hydrangea ( Hydrangea quercifolia‘Munchkin ’ , Zones 5–9 ) is a dwarf hydrangea attractively suit for a small garden that devote you everything its full - size congener would and more . It puts on a long - endure summer presentation of abundant and inflexible 6.5 - inch - long flower clusters . These bloom in shades of snowy white , gradually benefit a insidious blush of twilit pinko with maturity , and contrast beautifully with profoundly lobed , dark light-green leaves . Fall brings splash of vivid rich orange tree and shining burnt sienna to the leaf , add up an extra season of interest . Reaching a tidy 3 feet tall and wide , ‘ Munchkin ’ can be grown as a specimen in the suspect boundary line or mass as a low ground top , and it also works well in a declamatory container . This hydrangea should be planted in afternoon shade , in rich , well - ameliorate soil , and given regular water during the summertime months .

Dwarf fortunate Japanese yew

ho-hum growing and reaching only 2 foot improbable and 3 to 4 feet full at full maturity , overshadow golden Nipponese yew ( Taxus cuspidata‘Nana Aurescens ’ , Zones 4–9 ) makes an excellent ( if small ) evergreen plant and textural accent for a modified - space landscape . It also perform beautifully in a container . This miniature yew has interesting textured foliation . Its most fascinating feature is its eye - catching Modern growth of 1 - column inch - long , running , spiny - tap leaves that come forth bright sensationalistic in other spring , darken throughout the grow time of year to match with the contrasting backdrop of bass - green , two - class - honest-to-god foliation . This is a manful cultivar and thus noninvasive . develop in full sunshine to partial shade , in well - drain ground with regular water .

— Fionuala Campion is the proprietor and managing director of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma , California .

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‘Munchkin’ oakleaf hydrangea packs all the power of a typical hydrangea in a smaller package. Photo: Andy Pulte

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Coffee Bean™ rose grows in a compact shrub form that’s perfect for containers. A white container will bring out the color of its dark red flowers.Photo: Fionuala Campion