Arbutus menziesii

Arbutus menziesii

Common name: arbutus

Family: Ericaceae

Leaf: thick, with a waxy texture, oval, 2-6" long, arranged spirally, glossy dark green above and lighter, gray-green beneath, entire margin. Leaves are evergreen, lasting a few years before detaching

Flowers: In spring, sprays of white ursulate flowers

Fruit: autumn, red berries

Habit: evergreen tree; Form: irregular, open rounded form
Height: 30-80'
Culture: Plant in well drained, average, well-drained soils in full sun. Fairly drought tolerant once established. Does not like being transplanted at all, and its roots are very sensitive to local disturbance. Susceptible to black spot fungal disease. Seeds in the berries are highly viable- self-seeds well.
Uses: South-facing slope, naturalized areas.
Origin: Western coastal areas of north America from British Columbia to California.

 

 

Amelanchier alnifolia

Amelanchier alnifolia

Common name: serviceberry, Saskatoon berry

Family: Rosaceae

Leaf: Finely-toothed, oval-rounded leaves are pale to dark/flat green. Foliage turns attractive various shades of yellow in autumn.

Flower: showy, 5-petaled, white flowers (up to 3/4 in diameter) in compact clusters which appear in early spring (April) before the leaves.

Fruit: edible, small, round, edible berries which ripen to dark purplish-black in June and resemble blueberries.

Height:4-6'; Spread: 4-6'

Habit: multi-stemmed suckering shrub or small tree; Form: open, irregular, rounded

Culture: Grow in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part-shade. Tolerant of a somewhat wide range of soils. Root suckers are common, and if not removed, will result in a twiggy, shrubby growth habit for the plant. Hardy in USDA zones 2-7.

Uses: Best in shrub borders, woodland gardens or naturalized areas, stream banks and ponds.

Origin: North America

Syringa vulgaris

Syringa vulgaris

 

 

Common name: common lilac

Family: Oleaceae

Leaf: Glaucous, opposite, pointed-ovate to heart-shaped leaves (2-5" long) are dark gray-green to blue green. No fall colour.

Flowers: mid to late spring bloom (May) of very fragrant, tubular, 4-lobed, lilac to purple flowers (each 1/3" long) which bloom in large conical panicles (6-8" long)

Fruit: loose clusters of smooth, brown seed capsules

Habit: upright, multi-stemmed, suckering deciduous shrub; Form: rounded

Height: 12-16'; Spread: 8-12'

Culture: Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade, but best bloom is in full sun. Intolerant of full shade. Prefers moist, fertile, organically rich, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils with good drainage. Avoid water-logged soils. Needs good air circulation- can often get powdery mildew. Prune as needed immediately after flowering. To the extent practicable, remove faded flower panicles before seed set. Best grown in cool summer climates. Not recommended for planting in the hot and humid conditions of the deep South in USDA Zones 8-9. Promptly remove root suckers, particularly on grafted plants, to maintain plant appearance and prevent unwanted colonial spread.  Hardy in USDA zones 3-7.

Uses: A reliable spring-flowering shrub for cold winter landscapes. Excellent as a specimen/accent or in small groups. Shrub borders. Hedges or screens. Cottage gardens. Margins of woodland gardens. 

Origin: Balkan peninsula

 

 

 

Syringa reticulata

Syringa reticulata

 

Common name: Japanese tree lilac

Family: Oleaceae

Leaf: Sharply tipped, lanceolate to ovate, opposite dark green leaves (up to 6" long). No fall colour. Reticulata means netted-veined in reference to the leaf veins.

Flowers: very showy, fragrant, creamy white flowers that bloom in upright panicles to 12" long in late spring to early summer (later than most lilac species).

Fruit: loose clusters of brown capsules that persist into winter.

Habit: small tree or large shrub; Form: oval-rounded crown

Height: 20-30'; Spread: 15-20'

Culture: Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade, but best bloom is in full sun. Prefers organically rich, moist, slightly acidic soils with good drainage. Needs good air circulation- otherwise can get powdery mildew. Good tolerance for urban conditions. To the extent practicable, promptly remove faded flower panicles before seed set- this helps next year's bloom. Prune as needed immediately after flowering. Best grown in cool summer climates, and not recommended for planting in the deep South below USDA Zone 7. Hardy in USDA zones 3-7.

Uses: Effective as a specimen in the landscape. Tree forms are effective along streets, in lawns, near decks/patios or in foundations. Shrub forms are effective in borders or small groups. May be used as a screen along property lines. Very attractive.

Origin: Northern China

 

 

 

 

 

 

Syringa meyeri

Syringa meyeri

 

 

 

Common name: lilac

Family: Oleaceae

Leaf: Small, broad-elliptic to obovate leaves (up to 2" long) are dark green.

Flowers: fragrant, pale lilac to violet-purple flowers bloom in small, dense terminal clusters (panicles 3-4" long) in late April to early May.

Habit: slow-growing deciduous shrub; Form: compact, rounded

Height: 5-8'; Spread: up to 10'

Culture: Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade, but best bloom is in full sun. Prefers organically rich, moist, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils. Needs good circulation, can get powdery mildew. Good tolerance for urban conditions. Prompt removal of faded flower panicles before seed set will increase the bloom the following year. Prune as needed immediately after flowering. Hardy in USDA zones 3-7. Can be trained into a little standard tree.

Uses: Effective as a specimen or massed. Shrub borders, foundations. Good screen or informal hedge for property lines. Meyer lilac can be more resistant to mildew than the other varieties.

Origin: Northern China

 

 

 

S. meyeri trained into a little standard tree

 

 

 

 

 



Spiraea x vanhouttei

Spiraea x vanhouttei

Common name: bridalwreath spirea

Family: Rosaceae

Leaf: small, rhombic to obovate, coarsely serrate, dark blue-green leaves (up to 1.5" long) may have or at least suggest 3-5 lobes.Fall colour sometimes an attractive purplish hue.

Flowers: spring bloom, tiny white flowers (each 1/3" in diamter) appearing in late April to May in umellate clusters (up to 2" wide) that profusely cover the leafy branching.

Habit: vase-shaped, deciduous shrub with branching that arches gracefully towards the ground

Form: vase, arching, mounded

Height: 5-8'; Spread: 7-10'

Culture: Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade, a wide variety of soils and some drought. Prune as needed emmediately after flowering. Can prune out dead/crossing stems from a couple inches above the base. Keep in mind its naturally graceful, arching for when pruning, so try not to prune arching stems too far back. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8.

Uses: Hedges, foundations, borders, sunny woodland margins. Beautiful flowering specimen.

Origin: garden origin

Spiraea nipponica

Spiraea nipponica

Common name: snowmound spirea

Family: Rosaceae

Leaf: Narrow, dark blue leaves, narrowly ovate-obovate, with some serration on the upper portion of the leaf
Flowers: profuse, showy, white flowers in small corymbs cover the arching stems in late spring. Flowers are attractive to butterflies
Habit: dense, upright, compact deciduous shrub with arching stems; Form: arching mounding
Culture: Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Prune/shape after flowering- try to maintain vase arching stems (its natural attractive shape) so can prune deadwood from the base as well. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8.
Uses: Effective in borders, foundation plantings or hedges.
Origin: Japan

Spiraea japonica

Spiraea japonica

Common name: Japanese spirea

Family: Rosaceae

Leaf: up to 3" long are oval and sharply toothed

Flowers: pink flowers in flat-topped clusters (corymbs) cover the foliage from late spring to mid-summer, with sparse and intermittent repeated bloom sometimes occuring. Butterflies are attracted to them.

Habit: dense, upright deciduous shrub; Form: mounded

Height: 4-6'; Spread: 5-7'

Culture: Plant in full sun to part sun. Needs consistent moisture and well-drained soils. Does tolerate a wide range of soils. Remove faded flower clusters by lightly shearing to encourage additional bloom. Flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed. Shear down to the ground if you want or cut out old stems. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8.

Uses: Borders, cottage gardens, informal hedge. Incorporates well into foundation plantings.

Origin: Japan, China

Spiraea douglasii

Spiraea douglasii

Common name: hardhack

Family: Rosaceae

Leaf: oval, green leaves (up to 4" long),toothed towards tip, whitish undersides, prominent veins

Flowers: terminal clusters (up to 8" long) of rose-pink flowers appearing in summer. Turn brown as they fade.

Height: 4-6'; Spread: 3-6'

Habit: rhizomatous, deciduous upright shrub; Form: clumping

Culture: Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained, acidic soils in full sun to part shade. Needs consistent moisture. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. Remove suckers promptly to prevent plants from spreading to form thickets. Can shear right down to the base in early spring.

Uses: Keep in mind that this plant can naturalize and form thickets. Effective in low spots or along ponds or streams. It is a good plant for wild areas, but may not be appropriate for more formal garden areas.

Origin: Western N. America

Lonicera x purpusii

Lonicera x purpusii

Common name: winter flowering shrubby honeysuckle

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Leaf: opposite, ovate, matte-green leaves with entire margins

Flowers: very fragrant, early spring, five petals that are white, with yellow stamens that protrude, flowers emerge in pairs. Can be showy, especially in full sun.

Habit: multi-stemmed, very twiggy shrub; Form: broad mound

Height: 4-6'; Spread: 6-8'

Culture: Hardy in USDA zones 5-8(9). Plant in full sun to part shade/dappled shade in moist, fertile, humusy soils. Keep in mind it is not super attractive the rest of the year (when it is not in bloom). Drought tolerant once established. Can be pruned back hard if necessary in early spring.

Uses: winter interest, shrub (do not plant too centrally as it is not super attractive during the rest of the season that it is not in bloom).

Origin: garden origin

Lonicera pileata

Lonicera pileata

Common name: privet honeysuckle

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Leaf:  Ovate, glossy green leaves (up to 1 1/4" long), opposite. Slightly more elongated than Lonicera nitida

Flowers: small, fragrant yellowish-white flowers in spring (May). Not showy.

Fruit: translucent purple berries (up to 1/4" wide) which mature in fall. Not showy.
Fruit: purple drupe

Habit: dense, spreading, evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub with whippy shoots

Form: mounded, horizontal, vase
Height: 2-3'; Spread: 5-8'

Culture: Easily grown in organically-rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full-sun to part shade. In hot summer climates, plants typically perform better in part shade to full shade. Plants have drought tolerance in shady areas, but need regular moisture in sunny locations or foliage may burn. Hardy in USDA zones 6-8. Prune as needed right after flowering. Retains its foliage more around USDA zone 8.

Uses: shrubby groundcover, underplanting in shady areas, woodland gardens, slopes or banks.
Origin: SE China

Lonicera nitida

Lonicera nitida

Common name: box honeysuckle

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Leaf: Tiny, opposite, glossy, ovate, dark green leaves (up to 1/2" long), reminiscent of some of the leaves of boxwoods. Foliage may take on purple tinting in winter.

Flowers: Fragrant, creamy, white flowers (up to 1/4" long), bloom in late spring

Fruit: purple-black berries (up to 1/4" across), mature in fall.

Habit: dense, spreading, evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub

Form: mounded

Height: 5-8'; Spread: 4-7'

Culture: Easily grown in humusy, organically-rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. I hot summer climates, plants typically perform best in part shade. Some drought tolerance once established. Prune as needed after flowering. Hardy in USDA zones 7-9, becoming semi-evergreen around USDA zone 7. Easily grown from cuttings. In USDA zone 6, it would have to be planted in a protected location with good winter mulch. Can be very effectively sheared into a dense hedge. 

Uses: evergreen border, hedge, woodland gardens, slopes or banks

Origin: SW China

Lonicera x brownii 'Dropmore Scarlet'

Lonicera x brownii 'Dropmore Scarlet'

Common name: Dropmore Scarlet honeysuckle

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Leaf: attractive blue-green, sessile leaves with a very wide base, attached to the very wide base of the opposite leaf, giving the appearance of one, wide sessile leaf surrounding the twining stem

Flowers: magenta-red tubular flowers, showy, early summer. Hummingbirds love them.

Fruit: log-lasting red berries

Habit: dense, twining vine

Height: 10-20' long

Culture: Hardy in USDA zones 4-9. Plant in full sun, in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Gets powdery mildew in Vancouver. Prune back in early spring to increase flowering. Only prune established honeysuckles.

Uses: over an arbor, trellis, even as a groundcover. Hummingbird attractor. 

Origin: garden origin

Kalmia latifolia

Kalmia latifolia

Common name: mountain laurel

Family: Ericaceae

Leaf: Elliptic, alternate, leathery, glossy, evergreen leaves (up to 5" long) are dark green above and yellow green beneath

Flowers: up to 1" across, cup-shaped, with five sides and ranges in colour from rose to white with purple markings inside. clustered, showy. If not deadheaded, flowers give way to non-showy brown. 

Fruits: 3/16" dehiscent capsules that persist into winter

Habit: Gnarled, multi-stemmed, broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree

Height: 5-15'

Form: mounded

Culture: Hardy in USDA zones 4-9. Best planted in cool, moist, acidic, humusy, well-drained soils in part shade/dappled shade. Mulch to retain moisture and keep root zones cool. Plants tolerate a wide range of light conditions (full sun to full shade), but are best in part shade (morning sun with early to mid-afternoon shade), but can get leggy in full shade. Raised plantings should be considered in order to promote better drainage. Does not do well in heavy heavy clay soils. Remove spent flower clusters immediately after bloom. Prune lightly after bloom to promote bushy growth. Not great in Vancouver

Uses: for groups or massings in shrubs borders, cottage gardens, woodland areas or wild/naturalized areas. Hedges, foundations.

Origin: Eastern U.S.A.

Garrya elliptica

Garrya elliptica

Common name: silk tassle bush

Family: Garryaceae

Leaf: oval, dark green, waxy, convex leaves with wavy margins. Dense individual hairs on leaf undersides. Leaf blades are 6-8" in length.

Flowers: Dioecious, which are pendulous catkins, 4-6 cm in length. Pendant male catkins are much more showy and a re grey-green, up to 12" long. Female ones are shorter and silver-grey. Flowers bloom in late winter and early spring. Dried catkins remain on flowers well into summer- showy.

Habit: multi-stemmed evergreen shrub

Form: rounded

Height: 7-16'

Culture: Hardy in USDA zones 7-10. Prefers a sunny position succeeding in most well-drained, fertile soils. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Also succeeds in light shade. Plants are also quite tolerant of fairly deep shade. Does not require very rich soil and abundant moisture. Can be coppiced or thinned in spring before new growth starts, but after flowering ends. Needs some protection from wind scorch, cold drying winds. Therefore, plant in a protected location. Hardy to about -15 degrees C. Plant in their permanent position, as they do not like being transplanted.

Uses: attractive specimen tree in protected location in a landscape, especially if thinned- reveals an attractive multi-stemmed form. Slopes

Origin:SW North America- California to Oregon usually found 40-50 miles off the west coast, in chaparral and dry forests.

Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko'

Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko'

Common name: slender deutzia

Family: Hydrangeaceae

Leaf: medium green leaves, lanceolate, opposite, turn an attractive deep burgundy in fall.

Flowers: Tiny, (to 3/4" across), white flowers in small, upright panicles, cover the shrub for 10-14 days. Flowering in June.

Habit: spreading, dwarf, dense, deciduous shrubby groundcover

Form: rounded

Culture: Easily grown in avergage, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, humusy soils, with best flowering in full sun. Hardy. Hardy in USDA zones 5-8. Does not like super dry soils. Can be pruned from base. Prune after flowering. 

Uses: shrubby groundcover, sunny rock garden, border front, shrub border, hillside

Origin: Japan.

Daphne odora

Daphne odora

Common name: white daphne

Family: Thymelaeaceae

Leaf: Glossy, leathery, obovate to elliptic, dark green leaves (to 4" long).

Flowers: Blooming in late winter, intensely fragrant reddish-purple flowers with pale pink to white insides in terminal inflorescences.

Habit: broadleaf evergreen shrub; Form: mounded

Height: 3-4': Spread: 2-4'

Culture: Hardy in USDA zones 7-9. Usually only winter hardy to about -10F. If sited in colder areas of its hardiness zone, be sure to plant it in a protected location, for example the south side of the home. Best grown in moist, humusy, rich, sandy-humusy, well-drained soils with a neutral pH in part shade. Good drainage is essential. If you have dense, clay soil, consider planting this daphne in raised beds to ensure good drainage. Winter root mulch is a good idea. Do not allow soils to dry out. Established plants have some drought tolerance, but drier soils may mean reduced bloom. Slow to establish. Best not to disturb/transplant once establish. Can even be overwintered in containers in a greenhouse/summer porch.
Uses: Rounded evergreen shrub for borders and foundations. Specimen or groups. Plant near decks, doors etc. for maximum enjoyment of frangrant flowers. May also be uses as a hedge.
Origin: China, Japan