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Deciduous Shrubs - Botanical R through Z
PJM Rhododendrons
Rhododendron x 'P.J.M' & 'P.J.M ELITE' H: 3' W: 4' Zone 4 Part Sun to Part Shade. Prefers acidic, organically rich, humusy soil that is free draining but consistently retains medium moisture. While Rhododendrons can be particular about growing conditions, if just the right spot can be found in your garden they are sure to impress. PJM Rhododendrons are a series of hybrids selected for extra winter hardiness. PJM Elite (often just tagged as PJM) is the most widespread and available variety on the market. A beautiful Rhododendron with funnel shaped purple/pink blooms in Spring often before or at the same time foliage emerges. Upright growth habit with dark green leaves. Leaves turn a beautiful red colour in fall. A sheltered location with good snow cover is essential for good performance. Can be very late to leaf out in spring, seemingly dead branches will come to life so be sure to give it lots of time before pruning out winter kill or removing/replacing. |
Marjatta Finnish Rhododendrons (University of Helsinki)
Rhododendron x 'Haaga', 'Helliki', 'Mikkeli', 'Marjatta', & 'Elviira' H: 3' W: 3' Zone 4 Full Sun to Part Shade. The hardiest series of Rhododendrons developed by the University of Helsinki in Finland for cold tolerance. Prefers acidic, organically rich, humusy soil that is free draining but consistently retains medium moisture. While Rhododendrons can be particular about growing conditions, if just the right spot can be found in your garden they are sure to impress. These stunning Rhododendrons are compact and dense. Beautiful blooms emerge in early June that are SO spectacular and are loved by hummingbirds and butterflies. Leaves are dark green with a silver underside. A sheltered location with good snow cover is essential for good performance. Can be very late to leaf out in spring, seemingly dead branches will come to life so be sure to give it lots of time before pruning out winter kill or removing/replacing. |
Northern Lights Series Azaleas
Rhododendron x 'Golden Lights', 'Lilac Lights', 'Orchid Lights', 'Rosy Lights', 'Spicy Lights', 'Western Lights' & 'Nothern Hi-Lights' H: 2' W: 2' Zone 4 Full Sun to Part Shade. A series of deciduous Azaleas developed at the University of Minnesota to withstand cold winters. Prefers acidic, organically rich, humusy soil that is free draining but consistently retains medium moisture. While Azaleas can be particular about growing conditions, if just the right spot can be found in your garden they are sure to impress. Bright funnel shaped blooms in Spring often before or at the same time foliage emerges. Many colours available depending on variety all of which attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Dark green foliage turns bronze in the fall. A sheltered location with good snow cover is essential for good performance. Can be very late to leaf out in spring, seemingly dead branches will come to life so be sure to give it lots of time before pruning out winter kill or removing/replacing. |
Gro-Low Sumac
Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' H: 1'-2' W: 4'-5' Zone 3 Full Sun to Part Shade. Tolerant of a range of soil types as long as drainage is good. Low spreading form with dense green aromatic foliage that turns a stunning red/orange in the fall. Small yellow flowers cover the shrub in the spring before foliage emerges. A unique shrub great for borders, low hedges, erosion control/slopes and makes an excellent ground cover. Can be pruned anytime to maintain shape. |
Tiger Eyes Cutleaf Sumac
Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger' H: 4' W: 4' Zone 4 Full Sun. Adaptable to most soils and moisture levels. A stunning shrub that has a tropical look. With long finely cut bright green leaves turning to yellow mid summer and scarlet in the fall. Has a tiered branching habit which is stunning. Great texture and colour for use as an accent plant in the landscape. Best pruned in late winter after extreme cold has passed or in spring when winter/tip dieback is easier to spot. Winter dieback of Tiger Eyes is normal in our climate, and is usually replaced quickly within the growing season. Even after complete dieback this sumac will regrow from the root. Spreads/widens by root shoots when mature which are easy to remove if imposing. Benefits from a sheltered location and protection from winter winds. Occasionally produces a unique red flower on old wood in late summer. |
Alpine Current
Ribes alpinum H: 4' - 5' W: 4' - 5' Zone 2 Full Sun to Part Shade. Soil adaptable and will tolerate almost full shade. A dense rounded shrub with glossy green lobed foliage. Most often used as a hedge. Can be sheared anytime to maintain shape. Adds nice colour and texture to the landscape. Easy to grow and maintain. If using as a hedge remember to thin out the oldest branches every year or second year in addition to hedge trimming. Very hardy. |
Golden (Flowering) Current
Ribes aureum H: 4' - 5' W: 4' - 5' Zone 3 Full Sun to Part Shade. Soil adaptable and will tolerate almost full shade. Dark green deeply lobed foliage with beautiful showy yellow flowers that have a lovely scent in the spring. Arching branching habit. Flowers are followed by purple/black fruit loved by birds. Red-yellow fall colour. Easy to grow and maintain. |
Hardy Roses
Rosa
Full Sun. Preferring free-draining fertile soil with consistent moisture. Most roses appreciate having their own space (don't crowd with other plants) and require a bit more care than some low maintenance shrubs. Pruning to maintain good airflow is important to keep black spot, powdery mildew and other humidity related problems at bay. Sometimes spraying for fungal disease and insects is required. The reward of fragrant, incomparable blooms is well worth the effort. Deadheading roses also encourages rebloom and vigorous flowering. With care you can have roses blooming all season! Roses are loved by bees and come in many surprisingly hardy varieties. While there are always new varieties coming onto the market (too many to list!), the following are some of our tried and tested favorites:
Rosa
Full Sun. Preferring free-draining fertile soil with consistent moisture. Most roses appreciate having their own space (don't crowd with other plants) and require a bit more care than some low maintenance shrubs. Pruning to maintain good airflow is important to keep black spot, powdery mildew and other humidity related problems at bay. Sometimes spraying for fungal disease and insects is required. The reward of fragrant, incomparable blooms is well worth the effort. Deadheading roses also encourages rebloom and vigorous flowering. With care you can have roses blooming all season! Roses are loved by bees and come in many surprisingly hardy varieties. While there are always new varieties coming onto the market (too many to list!), the following are some of our tried and tested favorites:
Prickly Wild Rose (Rosa acicularis/woodsii) - Zone 2, H: up to 5' x Spreading - Alberta's official wildflower! Beautiful bramble-like shrub found everywhere in natural areas in Alberta. Prefers Sandy well drained soils. While extra hardy, this rose doesn't typically do well in cultivated settings (gardens), preferring wild areas and sunny hillsides lending itself to use in naturalization or erosion control. |
Canadian Artist Series roses were developed by a consortium of Canadian rose growers and breeders. Named for Canadian artists and artwork, the roses in this series are winter hardy across Canada and are also disease resistant:
Campfire 3' x 3' Emily Carr 3' x 4' Oscar Peterson 3' x 2' Bill Reid 3' x 3' Never Alone 2' x 2'
Explorer Series roses were developed by an Agriculture Canada rose breeding program in the 1960s with the objective to use roses from earlier efforts and cross them with newly developed roses from Europe to create a series of roses that are hardy, disease resistant, repeat blooming and easy to propagate:
Explorer Series roses were developed by an Agriculture Canada rose breeding program in the 1960s with the objective to use roses from earlier efforts and cross them with newly developed roses from Europe to create a series of roses that are hardy, disease resistant, repeat blooming and easy to propagate:
Blanc de Coubert 5' x 5' Frontenac 3.5' x 3.5' John Cabot 8' x 5' J.P. Connell 4' x 3' William Baffin 10' x 3'
49th Parallel Collection is a group of roses that is disease resistant, easy to grow and hardy across Canada. Developed by the Vineland Research & Innovation Centre in Ontario (Vineland) in partnership with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, it has released 3 roses to date and more are on the horizon:
49th Parallel Collection is a group of roses that is disease resistant, easy to grow and hardy across Canada. Developed by the Vineland Research & Innovation Centre in Ontario (Vineland) in partnership with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, it has released 3 roses to date and more are on the horizon:
Aurora Borealis 3' x 3' Canadian Sheild 5' x 4' Chinook Sunrise 4' x 4'
Parkland Series of roses were developed by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba to withstand the cold Canadian winters, but also to thrive in warm and humid summers. Parkland roses are very easy to care for, needing minimal spraying for disease and insects. Although very hardy, the Parkland Series is not quite so cold hardy and disease resistant as the Canadian Explorer Series. However, they are “own root” plants, so even when they die back to the snow line, they will come back true:
Parkland Series of roses were developed by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba to withstand the cold Canadian winters, but also to thrive in warm and humid summers. Parkland roses are very easy to care for, needing minimal spraying for disease and insects. Although very hardy, the Parkland Series is not quite so cold hardy and disease resistant as the Canadian Explorer Series. However, they are “own root” plants, so even when they die back to the snow line, they will come back true:
Adelaide Hoodless 3' x 2.5' Cuthbert Grant 2.5' x 2.5' Hope for Humanity 1.5' x 1.5' Morden Belle 3' x 3' Morden Blush 2.5' x 1.5'
Mord. Centennial 3' x 2.5' Morden Fireglow 2' x 1' Morden Sunrise 2' x 2.5' Winnipeg Parks 2' x 2'
Pavement Series and other Rugosa Roses are the hardiest ornamental roses available for our region. They have coarser/rougher textured foliage and sturdier branches. These roses are also the most fragrant varieties, their fragrance can be enjoyed from the whole other side of a garden. Vigorous with large blooms, thrive on neglect and are hardy to Zone 2:
Pavement Series and other Rugosa Roses are the hardiest ornamental roses available for our region. They have coarser/rougher textured foliage and sturdier branches. These roses are also the most fragrant varieties, their fragrance can be enjoyed from the whole other side of a garden. Vigorous with large blooms, thrive on neglect and are hardy to Zone 2:
Pristine Pavement 3' x 3' Purple Pavement 3' x 3' Scarlet Pavement 3' x 3' Snow Pavement 3' x 3' Hansa 6' x 5'
Blue Fox Willow & Powderface Willow
Salix brachycarpa 'Blue Fox' & Salix commutata 'Powderface' H: 3' W: 3' Zone 2 Full Sun to Part Shade. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers well-drained soil but will tolerate moist conditions (not standing water). Both species are native to parts of Alberta and are very similar, often used interchangeably. Fine textured blue/gray foliage. Easy to grow and very hardy. Often used in reclamation and naturalization. Also very useful as a backdrop or planted en masse. |
Iceberg Alley Sageleaf Willow
Salix candida 'Jefberg' H: 4' W: 4' Zone 2 Full to Part Sun. Moisture tolerant. Newer variety discovered and developed in Newfoundland. Very hardy with robust silver foliage and naturally rounded form. Takes pruning well. Attractive silver catkins produced in spring which make an attractive cutting for floral arrangements as well as providing food for pollinators. This versatile shrub is sure to gain in popularity in the coming years. |
Native Pussy Willow & Marquette Pussy Willow
Salix discolor & Salix caprea H: 8' - 12' W: 4' - 8' Zone 2 Full to Part Sun. Prefers average to moist soils, with some drought tolerance once established. Fast growing. There are actually many varieties of Pussy Willows native to Alberta most of which hybridize readily. Therefore, there is a lot of genetic diversity and slight differences in Native Pussy Willow Crops. They generally have yellow to brown bark and thin elongated foliage. Marquette Pussy Willow on the other hand is an introduced variety with reddish bark, a uniformly upright shape and less suckering than native varieties. Pussy willows are grown often as a windbreak, on stream/pond banks and in reclamation due to their speedy growth rate and ability to tolerate periods of standing water (once established). They also produce puffy catkins along their stems in early spring sought after by florists and crafters alike. |
Dappled Willows (AKA: Tri-Coloured Willow)
Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki' & 'Flamingo' H: 4' W: 4' Zone 4 Full Sun to Part Shade. Best colour with more sun but can scald so an area protected from high afternoon heat is best. Good drainage is important but also requires consistent moisture. Winterkill is common but once removed usually outgrows within a season. A very showy shrub for foliage colour. The variety names Flamingo and Hakuro Nishiki are often used interchangeably. However; while almost identical many designers prefer one over the other. We haven't noticed any real difference in performance. New growth is soft pink and white while old growth remains green giving this shrub a very unique and attractive colouring. Attractive red stem colour in winter on younger growth. Be sure to prune/thin out oldest branches every year or 2 to encourage new growth (best stem and foliage colour) and increase airflow within the shrub. While not considered low maintenance, the extra pruning and water management is well worth the unique colour show. |
Dwarf Arctic Willow
Salix purpurea 'Nana' & 'Canyon Blue' H: 4' W: 4' Zone 3 Full to Part Sun. Small upright rounded shrub with purple coloured stems and fine textured grey-green foliage. Can easily be pruned to maintain shape and can be used as a hedge or border plant. Adds interesting fine texture and colour to the landscape. Can be grown in moist soils (will not tolerate standing water for extended period of time) and is easy to grow. Can become quite dense so be sure to prune/thin out oldest branches every year or 2 to encourage new growth (best stem and foliage colour) and increase airflow within the shrub, especially if hedging/shearing. |
Elders
Sambucus canadensis, nigra & racemosa
Full Sun to Part Shade. Prefers well drained soil. Fast growing and quite hardy. All varieties listed produce distinctly fragrant flower clusters in spring followed by small berries. Some varieties are used in preserves and syrups. Does well in part shade with good drainage (dry shade). Foliage colour is best with Full Sun. Significant dieback after winter is very common but the shrub will quickly outgrow any loss usually increasing in size. For this reason many gardeners preemptively prune hard in late dormancy (very late winter/very early spring) before new growth emerges. A great underused shrub with lots of history. The following are some of the Elder varieties we carry:
Golden Elder (canadensis 'Aurea') - Zone 3, H: 8' x W: 7' - Selected from native species. Vigorous and reliable with golden foliage, white flowers and red berries.
Lemony Lace Elder (racemosa 'SMNSRD4') - Zone 3, H: 4' x W: 4' - A Proven Winners selection. Lacy golden foliage. Not Edible.
Morden Goldenglow Elder (racemosa 'Morden Golden Glow') - Zone 3, H: 4' x W: 4' - Cutleaf foliage emerges red maturing to gold. Not Edible.
Red-Berried Elder (racemosa var. melanocarpa) - Zone 2, H: 8' x W: 5' - Very hardy. Variety native to Western Canada. Not Edible. White flowers and red berries.
Black Beauty Elder (nigra 'Gerda') - Zone 3, H: 6' x W: 6' - Proven Winners Selection. Dark purple foliage and fruit. Pinkish white flowers.
Black Lace Elder (nigra 'Eva') - Zone 3, H: 6' x W: 6' - Proven Winners Selection. Lacy/cutleaf dark purple foliage and fruit. Pinkish white flowers
Black Tower Elder (nigra 'Eiffel') - Zone 3, H: 6' x W: 3' - Dark purple foliage and fruit. Pinkish white flowers. Upright columnar habit.
Golden Tower Elder (nigra 'Jandeboer001') - Zone 4, H: 8' x W: 4' - Golden cutleaf foliage with upright columnar habit. White flowers.
Serenade Elder (nigra 'Jonade') - Zone 3, H: 6' x 4' - Interesting semi-cutleaf foliage that emerges red maturing to green with hints of red.
Sambucus canadensis, nigra & racemosa
Full Sun to Part Shade. Prefers well drained soil. Fast growing and quite hardy. All varieties listed produce distinctly fragrant flower clusters in spring followed by small berries. Some varieties are used in preserves and syrups. Does well in part shade with good drainage (dry shade). Foliage colour is best with Full Sun. Significant dieback after winter is very common but the shrub will quickly outgrow any loss usually increasing in size. For this reason many gardeners preemptively prune hard in late dormancy (very late winter/very early spring) before new growth emerges. A great underused shrub with lots of history. The following are some of the Elder varieties we carry:
Golden Elder (canadensis 'Aurea') - Zone 3, H: 8' x W: 7' - Selected from native species. Vigorous and reliable with golden foliage, white flowers and red berries.
Lemony Lace Elder (racemosa 'SMNSRD4') - Zone 3, H: 4' x W: 4' - A Proven Winners selection. Lacy golden foliage. Not Edible.
Morden Goldenglow Elder (racemosa 'Morden Golden Glow') - Zone 3, H: 4' x W: 4' - Cutleaf foliage emerges red maturing to gold. Not Edible.
Red-Berried Elder (racemosa var. melanocarpa) - Zone 2, H: 8' x W: 5' - Very hardy. Variety native to Western Canada. Not Edible. White flowers and red berries.
Black Beauty Elder (nigra 'Gerda') - Zone 3, H: 6' x W: 6' - Proven Winners Selection. Dark purple foliage and fruit. Pinkish white flowers.
Black Lace Elder (nigra 'Eva') - Zone 3, H: 6' x W: 6' - Proven Winners Selection. Lacy/cutleaf dark purple foliage and fruit. Pinkish white flowers
Black Tower Elder (nigra 'Eiffel') - Zone 3, H: 6' x W: 3' - Dark purple foliage and fruit. Pinkish white flowers. Upright columnar habit.
Golden Tower Elder (nigra 'Jandeboer001') - Zone 4, H: 8' x W: 4' - Golden cutleaf foliage with upright columnar habit. White flowers.
Serenade Elder (nigra 'Jonade') - Zone 3, H: 6' x 4' - Interesting semi-cutleaf foliage that emerges red maturing to green with hints of red.
Silverleaf Buffaloberry
Shepherdia argentea H: 10' W: 10' Zone 2 Full Sun. Prefers well drained soil with poor/low fertility. Very drought tolerant once established. Native species often used for large areas or naturalization. Spreads quickly by suckers to form large "stands". Very Salt tolerant and a nitrogen fixer! Small yellow flowers in spring followed by small bright red fruit (if pollinator present). Smooth brown bark and thorns. The silver foliage is unique in colour, texture and shape. |
Russet Buffaloberry (AKA: Canada Buffaloberry)
Shepherdia canadensis H: 8' W: 8' Zone 2 Full Sun. Prefers well drained soil with poor/low fertility. Very drought tolerant once established. Native species often used for large areas or naturalization. Spreads quickly by suckers to form large "stands". Very Salt tolerant and a nitrogen fixer! Small yellow flowers in spring followed by small bright red fruit (if pollinator present). Smooth brown bark and thorns. The silver foliage is unique in colour, texture and shape. |
Sem False Spirea
Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem' H: 3' W: 4' Zone 3 Full Sun to Full Shade. In full shade plant will remain green. Prefers well drained soil but will tolerate slightly moist soils or temporarily wet soils. Drought tolerant once established. Foliage emerges bronze/red maturing to bright lime green/chartreuse with pink and red tips that intensify throughout the summer. Great fall colour. Soft clusters of white flowers in the summer add to this shrubs beauty. Fast growing and hardy. Spreads quickly to fill an area via root shoots. Great option for dry or neglected areas that you don't mind being taken over by this easy to grow shrub. Grows well beneath spruce and pine trees. |
Japanese Spirea
Spiraea japonica x bumalda
Zone 3
Full to Part Sun. Prefers average to well drained soils. Drought and heat tolerant once established. Easy to grow and maintain. Provides colourful foliage and clusters of tiny pink blooms in spring. Different varieties offer variety of combinations of flower and foliage colour. Blooms on new wood. Spent blooms can be sheared after they brown or leave and shear/prune entire shrub for shape in late dormancy (very late winter/very early spring). Golden foliaged varieties offer great orange to red fall colour. The following are some of the Japanese Spireas we carry:
Spiraea japonica x bumalda
Zone 3
Full to Part Sun. Prefers average to well drained soils. Drought and heat tolerant once established. Easy to grow and maintain. Provides colourful foliage and clusters of tiny pink blooms in spring. Different varieties offer variety of combinations of flower and foliage colour. Blooms on new wood. Spent blooms can be sheared after they brown or leave and shear/prune entire shrub for shape in late dormancy (very late winter/very early spring). Golden foliaged varieties offer great orange to red fall colour. The following are some of the Japanese Spireas we carry:
- Goldmound (japonica 'Goldmound') - H: 2' x W: 3' - Low mounding form with yellow to golden foliage and pink flowers.
- Shirobana (japonica 'Shirobana') - H: 3' x W: 3' - Rounded form with green foliage and flowers emerging pink and fading to white. Resulting in pink and white flower clusters simultaneously.
- Magic Carpet (japonica 'Walbuma') - H: 1.5' x W: 2.5' - Low to mounding form. Gold foliage with contrasting red new growth at tips. Pink flowers.
- Anthony Waterer (x bumalda 'Anthony Waterer') - H: 3' x W: 4' - Upright rounded form. Green foliage with pink/light pink flowers.
- Dart’s Red (x bumalda 'Dart's Red') - H: 3' x W: 4' - Upright rounded form. Green foliage with contrasting red new growth at tips. Dark pink flowers.
- Firelight (x bumalda 'Firelight') - H: 2' x W: 3' - Low mounding form. Golden foliage with red/orange new growth at tips. Pink flowers.
- Goldflame (x bumalda 'Goldflame') - H: 3' x W: 4' - Rounded form. Golden foliage with red/orange new growth at tips. Pink flowers.
- Mini Sunglo (x bumalda 'Mini Sunglo') - H: 1.5' x W: 2' - Mini rounded form. Bright chartreuse to gold foliage and pink flowers.
- Limemound (x bumalda 'Monhub') - H: 2' x W: 3' - Low rounded form. Bright lime green foliage and pink flowers.
- Neon Flash (x bumalda 'Neon Flash') - H: 3' x W: 4' - Improved version of Anthony Waterer selected for brighter larger pink flower clusters
Snowberry & Buckbrush
Symphoricarpus alba & occidentalis H: 3' W: 3' Zone 2 Full Sun to Part Shade. Soil adaptable. A spreading understory shrub native to Alberta. Tends to sucker and is often used in reclamation and for erosion control. Small pinkish white flowers in summer followed by clusters of white berries that persist into winter adding interest. Twigs with fruit are sought after by florists for use in arrangements. |
Amethyst & Proud Berry Coralberry
Symphoricarpus (x doorenbosii 'Kordes' & sp 'Sofie') H: 3' W: 3' Zone 3 Full Sun to Part Shade. Best fruiting in Full Sun. Soil adaptable and easy to grow. Vigorous shrub selected from species native to North America. Produces subtle white bell-shaped flowers along the branches in early summer followed by magnificent fuchsia berries from early fall to late winter. Often used as cut in floral arrangements. Flowers & fruits on new wood so prune hard and remove any overgrown branches or deadwood in very early spring/very late winter (late dormancy) before foliage emerges to encourage new growth. Upright to rounded form with gracefully arching branches. |
Lilacs
Syringa
Zone 2
Full Sun. Preferring free-draining fertile soil. Drought tolerant once established. Won't tolerate standing water or moist soils, especially while young. With beautiful fragrant blooms in spring and cold hardiness that can't be beat, lilacs are a standby in Alberta gardens. Native to Siberia lilacs are tough and reliable. Colours ranging from white to pink to deep purple available. From shelterbelts/windbreaks to the most meticulous garden there is a lilac for every use. Many new varieties coming on the market all the time so availability is ever changing but here are a few of the lilacs we carry:
French Lilacs are usually larger varieties with smooth heart shaped leaves good fragrance and vigorous growth. They tend to sucker freely making them great as space fillers or windbreak/shelterbelts but can be troublesome in a small yard or near veggie gardens (will sucker into adjacent beds and turf).
Syringa
Zone 2
Full Sun. Preferring free-draining fertile soil. Drought tolerant once established. Won't tolerate standing water or moist soils, especially while young. With beautiful fragrant blooms in spring and cold hardiness that can't be beat, lilacs are a standby in Alberta gardens. Native to Siberia lilacs are tough and reliable. Colours ranging from white to pink to deep purple available. From shelterbelts/windbreaks to the most meticulous garden there is a lilac for every use. Many new varieties coming on the market all the time so availability is ever changing but here are a few of the lilacs we carry:
French Lilacs are usually larger varieties with smooth heart shaped leaves good fragrance and vigorous growth. They tend to sucker freely making them great as space fillers or windbreak/shelterbelts but can be troublesome in a small yard or near veggie gardens (will sucker into adjacent beds and turf).
Preston/Late Lilacs bloom a little later than french varieties. They also sucker far less and therefore are better suited to areas where suckering would cause issues. Fragrant blooms available in many colours.
Little Leaf Lilacs Are smaller in stature with small rounded leaves and typically have a more rounded form. Very dense and loved by little birds for the shelter they provide in winter. The most fragrant group of lilacs.
Manchurian Lilacs are usually dwarf varieties that have an upright form and wavy foliage. Very little if any maintenance required to keep dense upright form. Dark purple fall folilage.
Mohican Wayfaring Tree
Viburnum lantana 'Mohican' H: 6' W: 6' Zone 3 Full Sun to Part Shade. Prefers well drained soil but will tolerate periods of heavy moisture. While this variety has the word tree in the name it is actually a compact and globe shaped version of regular Wayfaring Tree (which get up to 12' tall!) that has quickly become the standard version on the market. Green-grey almost fuzzy foliage adds texture to the landscape. Produces abundant clusters of creamy white flowers in spring loved by pollinators. Flowers are followed by clusters of berries in fall which emerge yellow, turning red then dark purple/black, often all colours can be found in a single cluster adding great colour interest in the fall land into winter. Fall foliage can range from orange/yellow to red/purple or all these at once. Loved by birds. |
Nannyberry
Viburnum lentago H: 8' W: 5' Zone 2 Ful Sun to Part Shade. Prefers well drained soils but is considered soil adaptable. Drought and heat tolerant once established. Large shrub or small multi-stemmed tree (as pictured) depending on pruning. Upright vase habit with clusters of creamy white flowers followed by black fruit enjoyed by birds and sometimes used for preserves. Red to purple fall foliage. Very hardy and easy to grow. Can be prone to suckering, especially while young. |
Dwarf European Cranberry
Viburnum opulus nanum H: 2' W: 2' Zone 3 Full Sun to Part Shade. A very dwarf and dense shrub that keeps its shape very nicely with no pruning required. Lobed, glossy green foliage is dark green all spring and summer and turns a red-purple in the fall. White flowers in the spring are followed by red berries in the summer and fall. Great texture and shape to add to the landscape. |
Snowball
Viburnum opulus 'Roseum' H: 6' W: 6' Zone 3 Full Sun to Part Shade (best flowering with sun) Soil adaptable. An old fashioned favorite! Lobed dark green foliage and absolutely stunning ball-shaped flowers in the spring. The flowers resemble round snowballs hence the name! Nice reddish orange fall colour and a nice rounded shape make this shrub a must in the landscape. Needs very little maintenance but can be pruned to maintain shape after flowers have fallen. Often pruned into small tree. Can scorch in hot locations. A great shrub for cut flower use or overall beauty. |
American High Bush Cranberry
Viburnum trilobum (CV: 'Redwing') H: 8' W: 8' Zone 3 Full Sun to Part Shade. Soil adaptable. Drought tolerant once established. A wonderful four season shrub with white flowers in the spring, bright red fruit in the summer and a great fall colour! Large serrated lobed leaves have an absolutely beautiful red fall colour. The red tipped leaves in the spring give this shrub interesting texture and colour in the landscape. Berries attract birds in the summer and fall. This shrub is native to parts of North America. |
Compact American Cranberry
Viburnum trilobum compactum (CV: Baileys & Alfredo) H: 3' W: 3' Zone 3 Full Sun to Part Shade. Soil adaptable. A compact and upright cultivar of High bush Cranberry that boasts the same beautiful lobed foliage in the spring and summer that turns a stunning red in the fall. If you love cranberries but have limited space, this is a great choice. Flowers and fruit are showy and attract birds in the spring and summer. Can be used as an informal hedge or border plant. |
Weigelas
Weigela florida
Zone 4
Full Sun to Part Shade. Best blooms in full sun but can scald in high heat areas. Prefers moist but free-draining soil. Will not tolerate standing water. Doesn't like to dry out too much between watering. Abundant tubular blooms (usually pink/red) in mid-late spring with sporadic rebloom in summer & fall. Somewhat fragrant. Blooms are loved by hummingbirds. Array of foliage colours dependent on variety. The following are some of the weigela varieties we carry:
Weigela florida
Zone 4
Full Sun to Part Shade. Best blooms in full sun but can scald in high heat areas. Prefers moist but free-draining soil. Will not tolerate standing water. Doesn't like to dry out too much between watering. Abundant tubular blooms (usually pink/red) in mid-late spring with sporadic rebloom in summer & fall. Somewhat fragrant. Blooms are loved by hummingbirds. Array of foliage colours dependent on variety. The following are some of the weigela varieties we carry:
- Minuet ('Minuet') - H: 2.5' x W: 2.5' - Compact, with purplish-green foliage and dark pink blooms.
- Minor Black ('Verweig 2') - H: 2.5' x W: 3' - Dark purple (almost black) foliage and deep red blooms.
- Wings of Fire ('Wings of Fire') - H: 3'-4' x W: 3'-4' - Foliage emerges green maturing to bronze. Red blooms.
- Crimson Kisses (x 'Slingco1') - H: 2.5' x W: 2.5' - Green foliage with deep pink-red blooms.
- Electric Love (x 'ZR1') - H: 1'-2'' x W: 2'-3' - Purple foliage with deep red blooms.
- Maroon Swoon (x 'Slingco2') - H: 4'-5' x W: 2'-3' - Green foliage with deep pink-red blooms.
- Strobe (x 'Verwof 1') - H: 3' x W: 3' - Green to bronze foliage turns red in fall. Bright pink blooms.
- Stunner (x 'Spring2') - H: 3'-4' x W: 3'-4' - Purple foliage with vibrant pink blooms.
- Tuxedo (x 'Velda') - H: 2'-3'' x W: 2'-3' - Dark Purple (almost black) foliage with white blooms.
- My Monet (x 'Verweig') - H: 1.5' x W: 1.5' - Variegated green foliage with pink tips/edges. Pink Blooms.
- Midnight Wine (x 'Elvera') - H: 1' x W: 1.5' - Dark burgundy foliage. Pink blooms (blooms less than others, grown for foliage mostly)
- Wine & Roses (x 'Alexandra') - H: 3' x W: 3' - Purple foliage with deep pink-red blooms.