Category Archives: Ornamental Shrubs

Holly II / Ilex

Posted on March 25, 2012 by soulofagardener

Ilex aquifolium ‘Golden van Tol’ – This sport of ‘J.C. van Tol’ features slightly puckered green foliage (on purplish stems) with bright gold margins and very few spines. It is considered self-fertile but produces a larger crop of red berries … Continue reading →

Posted in Ornamental Shrubs | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Holly / Ilex

Posted on March 20, 2012 by soulofagardener

Ilex aquifolium ‘Amber’ – An unusual female form of English holly with unique amber to deep apricot berries, a nice change from the traditional red. This RHS Award of Garden Merit winner also features glossy bright green leaves that are … Continue reading →

Posted in Ornamental Shrubs | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Boxwood / Buxus

Posted on March 4, 2012 by soulofagardener

Buxus sempervirens ‘Elegantissima’ (syn. ‘Silver Variegated’) – This variegated form of English boxwood is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner and features green foliage with creamy-white margins. Even though it makes a dense hedge, ‘Elegantissima’ is more commonly seen … Continue reading →

Posted in Ornamental Shrubs | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Alba Garden Shrubs

Posted on November 28, 2011 by soulofagardener

Philadelphus x ‘Snowbelle’ – A dwarf form of Mockorange which bears very fragrant double white blooms in late spring. It forms a compact, mounded deciduous shrub which is much more suited to urban gardens than the taller old-fashioned cultivars. ‘Snowbelle’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Ornamental Shrubs | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Late-Blooming Shrubs

Posted on November 10, 2011 by soulofagardener

Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Summer Sorbet’ – A variegated deciduous shrub with aromatic green foliage edged in gold. Blue Spirea prefers full sun with good soil drainage and the airy periwinkle blue flowers attract butterflies. These are borne from late summer … Continue reading →

Posted in Ornamental Shrubs | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Shrubs with Burgundy-Red Foliage

Posted on November 9, 2011 by soulofagardener

Corylus avellana ‘Red Majestic’ – A new option in contorted Hazelnut or Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick with leaves that emerge burgundy-red and mature to green – which makes this deciduous shrub entirely burgundy in spring and somewhat two-toned in summer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ornamental Shrubs | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Native Coastal BC Shrubs

Posted on October 28, 2011 by soulofagardener

Sambucus racemosa (subsp. pubens var. arborescens) Red Elderberry is a large deciduous shrub often found in moist soils near ditches and streams. It has an arching habit with compound leaves (5-7 leaflets), creamy-white April to May flowers and bright red … Continue reading →

Posted in Ornamental Shrubs | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hydrangea macrophylla / Bigleaf Hydrangea

Posted on October 3, 2011 by soulofagardener

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Ayesha’ – Everything about this plant’s flowers is unique – from the waxy cup-shaped florets that look like little spoons to its light fragrance when in full bloom. The pale pink to mauve flowers (depending on pH) are … Continue reading →

Posted in Ornamental Shrubs | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shrubs with Autumn Colour

Posted on September 28, 2011 by soulofagardener

Aronia melanocarpa ‘Autumn Magic’ – A much underused deciduous shrub native to eastern North America – Black Chokeberry has something for every season. The glossy dark green foliage (grows to 5′ tall) is smothered by white blooms in late spring, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ornamental Shrubs | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weeping Japanese Maples / Acer palmatum var. dissectum

Posted on August 23, 2011 by soulofagardener

Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Red Dragon’ – I consider this one of the best weeping Japanese maples for retaining its rich burgundy-red colouring into summer or in partial shade exposures. The leaves of ‘Red Dragon’ emerge scarlet in spring, darkening … Continue reading →

Posted in Ornamental Shrubs | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment