Speaker Notes From Meetings - 2001

August 21, 2001

Flowering Shrubs and Hedges

(Short Notes from the NHS August 21, 2001 general meeting with Frank Kershaw. Mr. Kershaw is a horticulturalist with a degree from the University of Guelph, and is an expert on flowering shrubs.)

Mr. Kershaw gave an overview of the numerous shrubs and hedges that provide interest in the garden as well as being hardy for our environment.

Beauty Bush Beauty Bush, "Kolkwitzia Amabalis" Grows an average of 10 ft high by 6 ft. wide. Pink, Orchid like flowers bloom from May to early June. An excellent accent plant, good on slopes.
Bridal Wreath Spirea Bridal Wreath Spirea Cascading white flowers bloom in late Spring. Shrub grows to 8 ft. tall, and is excellent as a hedging plant.
Butterfly Bush Butterfly Bush, "Buddleia" Blooms in late summer through the fall. Available in mauves, whites, and reds. Grows to 8 ft. tall. Can self seed. Cut back in spring to within 4" to encourage bushy growth.
Burning Bush Burning Bush, "Euonymus Alata". Provides fiery red foliage in the fall. Can grow to 15 ft.high. Excellent as a hedging plant. "Dwarf Burning Bush" or "Euonymus Compactus" is the dwarf version, growing only 6 to 8 ft. tall. Excellent as an accent plant. Note - the tighter the "V" shape of the plant at the bottom, the smaller, or more "dwarf" size the plant will be.
Deutzia Deutzia. This low growing shrub blooms from late spring into early summer, depending on variety. Shrubs grow from 3.5 to 6 ft, and blooms in colours from white to purple.
Forsythia Forsythia. A deciduous shrub that grows 8-10 ft. tall. Produces bell shaped yellow blooms before the leaves appear in the spring. Excellent as a barrier, thicket, foundation, or hedge plant.
Jet Bead Jet Bead, "Rhodotypos Scandens". White flowers appear in June/July. Black berries appear against amber foliage in the fall. Requires full sun to partial shade.
Mahonia Mahonia, "Mahonia Repens". Also known as Oregon Grape. Low growing (1-2 ft). Produces yellow flowers in the spring, followed by black, edible berries in late summer. Is known for winter kill back due to dessication. It is essential to keep shrub watered in fall to maintain winter moisture.
Pieris Pieris Mountain Fire, "Pieris Japonica". Fiery red new foliage fades to green over the summer. White blooms appear in late March to April. Requires acid soil. Can attain heights of 8-10 ft.
Potentilla Potentilla (Cinquefoils). Of the Rosaceae family. Low growing shrub blooms from June to September in colours of pink, white, yellow, and red shades. Excellent as a groundcover, low hedge, and in Xeriscaping..
Red Osier Dogwood Red Osier Dogwood, "Cornus Sericea". White blossoms in May, red berries in fall. This shrub has winter interest with red branches. Prune old and dead wood in the spring. New wood is the most colourful. Grows 6-10 ft. tall..
Rose of Sharon Rose of Sharon, "Althea Hibiscus Syriacus". Great as an accent plant. Hibiscus like flowers bloom from late summer to early fall in shades of white, pink, or purple. Generally attains heights of 6-8 ft. Is drought tolerant..

Other Flowering Shrubs of Interest

  • Mock Orange. - Nicely scented white flowers, single and double forms. Needs pruning. Good filler plant.
  • Silver Edged Daphne - needs full sun to bloom.
  • Garnet Japanese Maple (Acer Dissectum). Shrub, cascading rockery form, prefers dappled shade. Has brittle winter branches.
  • Flowering Almond (Prunus Trilobum). Pink flowers in spring, use as an accent plant or as a foundation shrub.
  • Viburnum - Highbush Cranberry. Berries need to dry out for sugar content to increasse before the birds eat them. V. ferrari - knee high, fragrant pink flowers in spring. V. double file - 12ft layered shrub, 2 sets of white flowers in "double file".
  • Serviceberry. Multi stemmed shrub, 10-12 ft., slow growing. Grey bark with white flowers. Looks nice planted in groups of three with ajuga or euonymous underneath. Will produce sucker growth.
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