Shrubs are some of the most useful landscape plants because of their variation in size, flower, color and other characteristics. Commonly used shrubs in the landscape include many species and cultivars of spirea, euonymus and burning bush. Boxwoods, common lilac and common privet are also frequently seen. When looking for unusual shrubs for the landscape, consider these options.
* Dwarf Oregon grape holly: Oregon grape holly is one of the few broadleaf-evergreen shrubs that will grow in Utah’s colder mountain valleys. Its leaves resemble those of the true hollies, although it is not related to them. Leaves turn a lovely shade of plum/purple in late autumn and winter and revert back to green in the summer. It is a very shade-tolerant shrub and also beneficial to wildlife. Dwarf Oregon grape holly grows to 4 feet high and wide. A common form is also available that grows between 6 and 8 feet high and wide.
* Dwarf Korean lilac: Old fashioned/common lilacs have been very popular in the past and will continue to be in the future. The advantage of using dwarf Korean lilac over common lilac is that it is more manageable in today’s smaller landscape since it stays much smaller than the common lilac. It still has the same flowers and scent in the spring and is very drought tolerant. Miss Kim Lilac is also great for use where common lilac may get too big.
* Rose of Sharon: Rose of Sharon is not completely hardy in Utah’s colder mountain valleys but can be used where it receives full sun and protection from the coldest winter temperatures. It has a longer bloom season than almost any other shrub used in Utah landscapes and blooms from mid-July until early October. Flower colors vary from white to lavender-pink and purple and resemble those seen in traditional Hawaiian leis. Rose of Sharon will reach 10 feet high and wide, but a dwarf variety called Lil Kim that grows only 3 to 4 feet high and wide is becoming more available. Lil Kim also holds flowers longer and has a darker, more ornamental green leaf than standard varieties. Rose of Sharon is drought tolerant once established.
* Simplicity roses: Simplicity roses are a series of shrub roses that repeat bloom the entire growing season and are also very pest and disease resistant. They can grow 6 feet high and wide when left unpruned, but tolerate and sometimes benefit from an occasional pruning. They are available in a multitude of colors. Because of their thorns, they should be kept away from high-traffic areas. A series of roses called Meidiland is also very useful in the landscape.
* New Mexico privet: This is a native shrub that can be used as a replacement for common privet and other large shrubs used for screening and hedging. It is fast growing and has ornamental yellow fall foliage. It also has early spring flowers that are present before leaves emerge. New Mexico privet, sometimes called desert olive, may be somewhat harder to find but is worth the effort. It can be found in nurseries that carry native plants or at the local farmers market.
Ask local garden centers or nurseries if they carry plants that may be underutilized. Be adventurous and have fun.
By: Taun Beddes - Mar. 31, 2008