Shrubs - others

Prunus lauocerasus 'Zabeliana' ( Zabel Laurel )

 
Description: Narrow leafed variety has branches that angle upward and outward from the base. Will reach up to 6' and wide if not pruned back.
Ideal conditions: Full sun to part shade. Regular water, but seems to take drought well if not in full sun.
Bloom: Creamy flowers.

Aucuba japonica variegata 'Mr. Goldstrike' ( Gold dust bush)

 
Description: Evergreen, medium height shrub. Shiny green leaves splashed with vivid yellow.
Ideal conditions: Tolerant of a wide range of soils, but will flourish with organic matter added. Performs well in deep shade. A great color splash. Regular water until established.
Bloom: Miniature dark maroon flowers in March followed by bright red flowers.
 

Phormium Tenax 'Atro purpureum' ( New zealand flax )

 
Description: Sturdy and fast growing. Tolerates high coastal winds and rain. Purpleish or brownish red foliage that grows 6-8' tall and wide.
Ideal conditions: Average soil. Sun to part sun. Low to moderate water.
Bloom: Branched clusters of yellow to orange tubular flowers appear in late spring to early summer. Seed pods afterwards are interesting as well.

Phormium Tenax 'Tom thumb' ( New Zealand flax )

 
Description: Upright clump 2-3' high. Green, wavy ,edged, half inch wide leaves have red bronze margins.
Ideal conditions: Average soil. Sun to part sun. Low to moderate water.
Bloom: None yet

Phormium colensoi 'Yellow wave' ( Mountain Flax )

 
Description: Hybrid. 4-5' high 5-7' wide. 2.5" wide leaves in chartreuse with lime green margins.
Ideal conditions: Average soil with part sun. Too hot a location can scorch leaves of this variety. Low to moderate water.
Bloom: Golden orange tubular flowers are borne on long spikes that extend well above the main plant in summer.

Phormium cookianium 'Carousel' ( Mountain Flax )

 
Description: Slightly arching leaves are long and spiked in tri color reddish tones. 3' tall x 3' wide .
Ideal conditions: Average soil well drained. Part sun is best as the leaves can scorch. Low to moderate water.
Bloom: Haven't seen this one bloom yet.

Hebe 'Black beauty'

 
Description: Dark purple stems with dark purple tipped green leaves. Can reach up to 5' high if the winter doesn't kill it. Seems to be more tender than green leaved varieties. This one is in a shadier location, so the purple is not as vibrant.
Ideal conditions: Part sun to sun on the coast. Winter shelter near large trees seems to have kept my last one alive through our recent colder winters. Regular water, and compost/mulch.
Bloom: Blooms in summer with a dark purple flower.

Hebe pinguifolia 'sutherlandii'

 
Description: Compact evergreen shrub. Height is 16" x 36". Leaves are greyish green
Ideal conditions: Well drained soil. Sun to part sun. Regular water. Compost/and or mulch to cover shallow roots. Enjoys coastal wind.
Bloom: Small white clusters in summer.

Hebe 'green globe'

 
Description: Small evergreen shrub with a dense globular habit made up of small branches covered in tiny moss green foliage.
Ideal conditions: Well drained soil. Sun to part sun. Regular water. Compost/and or mulch to cover shallow roots.
Bloom: Tiny white flowers in summer.

Euonymous 'Golden'

 
Description: 4-5' high x 3' wide. Dense growing erect shrub with deep green leaves edged in gold.
Ideal conditions: Best in sun to avoid any mildew problems and to keep color true. Gold fades to white if not enough sun. Provide moderate to regular water. Average well drained soil. Organic matter will improve growth.
Bloom: none

Euonymous 'Emerald and gold'

 
Description: Excellent ground cover or low area planting. Small leaves with bright gold edging. Color seems more defined in part sun location.
Ideal conditions: Well drained soil with regular water. Organic matter will improve the look of plant. Part sun part shade.
Bloom: none

Euonymous 'Emerald Gaiety'

 
Description: Excellent ground cover or low area planting. Sturdy stems have small green leaves with white edging.
Ideal conditions: Well drained soil with regular water. Organic matter will improve the look of plant. Part sun part shade.
Bloom: None

Arbutus unedo 'compacta' (strawberry tree)

 
Description: Evergreen shrub. Slow to moderate growth. Dark green leaf. Looks related to a rhododendron.
Ideal conditions: Part sun to shade. Any soil seems to work with drainage. Tolerates sea breeze.
Bloom: Clusters of small white flowers in fall.

Trachycarpus 'Takil' ( Windmill palm )

 
Description: Leaves are fan shaped and will spread out to 3' wide on a mature plant. Very slow grower with heavy, inclined trunk. Can reach 20', but is dwarf for many years.
Ideal conditions: Full sun. Regular water. Average soil. Plant vigor will be improved with organic matter.
Bloom: none

Fatshedera lizei

 
Description: Hybrid between fatsia japonica and hedera helix. Shows characteristics of both plants. Dark green glossy leaves 6-8" wide look like giant ivy. Has a long trailing or climbing stem, but needs support for upright growth. Branches are very soft, and break easily.
Ideal conditions: Full sun to part on coast. Shelter from snow or frost. Regular or lots of water. Pinch tips to encourage side growth.
Bloom: none

Fatsia japonica (Japanese aralia)

 
Description: Tropical appearance with dark green, deeply lobed, fanlike leaves up to 16" wide on stiff stalks. Moderate growth 5-8' tall. Branches are mostly at the top.
Ideal conditions: Shade to part sun on coast. Grows in almost any soil except boggy. Works in containers too. Organic matter will keep leaves darker green as well as less intense sun. Regular water will give it a fuller look.
Bloom: Small creamy flowers in fall and winter.

Salix 'Flame' (willow)

 
Description: Deciduous fast growing, weak wooded, short lived plant. Can grow 15-20' high if not cut. To maximize color and shape it is worth pruning back in spring as new growth starts. New twigs are bright orange in winter.
Ideal conditions: Full sun to part shade. Ample water. Prefers moist humus soils over dry and sandy.
Bloom: Vivid orange stems in fall and winter.

Salix purpurea 'Pendula' ( Alaska blue willow )

 
Description: Deciduous to 15' high and wide with purple weeping branches. Narrow 1-3" leaves are dark green above and bluish beneath. Maintainable for a smaller garden.
Ideal conditions: Full sun to part shade. Ample water. Prefers moist humus soil over dry sandy.
Bloom: none
 

Cornus alba 'Bud's yellow' ( Tartarian dogwood )

 
Description: Deciduous shrub can grow up to 10 ' tall and wide unless kept in check. Brilliant yellow stems year round. New wood has the best color, so cut back in early spring when wood is becoming dark.
Ideal conditions: Full sun to part shade. Ample water. Prefers moist humus soil over dry sandy.
Bloom: small creamy white flowers in spring.
 

Viburnum davidii

 
Description: Evergreen 3-4' high shrub and wide. Rich dark green deeply veined leaves up to 6" long.
Ideal conditions: Acid soil lover. Regular water until established. Sun to part shade on coast. Does not appreciate the sea breeze.
Bloom: Starts with pinkish buds turning to white flowers and then blue black berries.

Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga'

 
Description: Deciduous shrub up to 6' tall or larger. Has foliage that emerges deep maroon and maintains its purple tinge throughout summer. This one is in heavy shade and changed to green.
Ideal conditions: Full sun to part shade. Average soil with regular water.
Bloom: Lacecap flowers are pink tinged with white appearing in late spring.

Buxus green series 'Green gem' ( boxwood )

 
Description: Evergreen shrub slowly forming a mound 3-4' high with some bronzing of foliage in winter or in hot sun.
Ideal conditions: Sun to part shade. Soil rich in organic matter, but well drained. Regular water.
Bloom: none.

Buxus sempervirens ( boxwod ) 'Suffruticosa'

 
Description: Small leaved evergreen shrub. Growth is very slow but can reach up to 4-5' high. Generally clipped lower. Makes a great border hedge or a pot evergreen.
Ideal Conditions: Sun to shade. Soil rich in organic matter, but well drained. Regular water.
Bloom: none.
 

Taxus x media 'Hicksii' ( yew )

 
Description: Upright slow grower. 10-12' tall 3-4' wide. Grows larger with age. Dark green needles in shade and more golden in the sun.
Ideal conditions: Rich organic soil in woodsy environment. Sun to part shade on coast. Regular water.
Bloom: Females produce bright red single fleshy fruit.

Taxus cuspidata 'emerald spreader' ( Japanese Yew )

 
Description: Height 30". Width 8-10'. Dark green needles. Excellent ground cover.
Ideal conditions: Rich organic soil in a woodsy environment. Sun to part shade on coast. Regular water.
Bloom: Red berries in fall.

Pinus Leucodermis ( Bosnian pine )

 
Description: A very slow growing pine eventually reaching 20-25' tall. Great specimen for pruning creatively. Long dark green needles. Drought tolerant.
Ideal conditions: Most soil types should accommodate this pine as long as they are well drained. Full sun or mostly sun is best. Water regular until established.
Bloom: Medium sized brown cones.

Pinus parviflora 'Glauca'

 
Description: Growth of this tree is open, upright, and irregular. I have put it in shrubs because I will keep it a moderate size with pruning, but it is a tree that reaches 40' x 40'. Needles are slightly twisted. They are bluish green on top with the grey underneath showing itself. This color variation gives it a very striking appearance.
Ideal conditions: Best in full sun, but this one receives it only part of the day. Well drained soil with moderate water. Seems to do well on the west coast, but it's out of extremely harsh winds.
Bloom: Small clusters of cones.
 

Pinus densiflora 'umbraculifera', 'tanyosho' (Japanese red pine)

 
Description: Moderate grower 10-20' and 18' wide. Broad flat topped tree with many trunks that emerge from the base, often grafted onto a single short base for containers and small gardens. Lends itself well to being sheared.
Ideal conditions: Well drained soil. Sun to part shade. Regular water, but will take a drought well on the coast. tolerates a partial sea breeze.
Bloom: small cones
 

Pinus densiflora ' Compacta'. ( Japanese red pine )

 
Description: Very similar to umbraculifera. The denseness of this variety lends itself to the bonzai pruning. Excellent for a small garden, container, or focal point. This specific plant was cultivated, and shaped by Hans Jensen.
Ideal conditions: Well drained soil. Sun to part shade. Regular water, but will take a drought well on the coast. Does not mind the sea breeze.
Bloom: Small cones.

Pinus mugho ( mugho pine )

 
Description: Slow growth 4-8' high and 8-15 ' wide. Starts out as a small symmetrically round dark green shrub. Can be sheared back to maintain smaller size and shape. Even better is candling. Break off new growth on top to stop upright growth. Sides to stop the width from increasing.
Ideal conditions: Well drained soil. Sun to part shade. Regular water, but will take a drought well on the coast. Does not mind the sea breeze.
Bloom: If not sheared it will get cones up to 1 1/2 " long.
 

Pinus Sylvestris 'Waterii' ( Scots pine or Walter pine)

 
Description: Needles are compact. Their color is a blue, greenish, grey. Height is 7-10 feet by the same wide. Can be kept shorter with regular pruning for a garden accent shrub , or left natural in a larger setting.
Ideal Conditions: Full sun with well drained soil. Tolerates drought well once established.
Bloom: Small cones.

Thuja occidentalis 'Sunkist' ( Sunkist Cedar ) ( Northern White Cedar )

 
Description: Slow growing conical coniferous evergreen shrub. Height 10'-15'. Bright yellow tips on new growth.
Ideal conditions: Sun or part shade. Moist soil with regular water. Hardy to about-25 degrees celcius.
In Bloom: very small cones

Thuja occidentalis 'golden globe' ( american arborvitae )

 
Description: Dense rounded growth 3 -5' tall and wide. Bright golden foliage with dark green inside. Better color in hotter sun.
Ideal conditions: Full sun on the coast to part sun. Well drained moist soil with organic matter and regular water. Clip in spring to maintain tidy shape and compactness.
Bloom: Sometimes tiny cones down inside.

Thuja occidentalis 'globosa' ( globe arborvitae)

 
Description: Dense and rounded with bright green foliage to about 4' high and wide in 10 years.
Ideal conditions: Full sun on the coast to part sun. Well drained soil with organic matter and regular water. Clip in spring to maintain tidy shape and compactness.
Bloom: Sometimes tiny cones down inside.

Thuja occidentalis ( smaragd )

 
Description: Neat, dense growing, columnar shaped 10-15' tall x 3-4' wide. Holds its bright green color throughout winter.
Ideal conditions: Full sun on the coast to part sun. Well drained soil with organic matter and regular water. Clip in spring to maintain tidy shape and compactness.
Bloom: none.

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold' ( Dwarf golden thread branch cypress)

 
Description: Hardy globose bush with deep gold thread like foliage turning to lime green in the summer. Slow grower up to 3 1/2' tall x 5' wide. If left alone it can reach 8' tall.
Ideal conditions: Well drained soil. Water regularly until established. Seems to tolerate drought, but color is not as true. Does not like ocean wind.
 

Ilex aquifolium (English holly) 'blue prince'

 
Description: Dark green glossy leaves. Very defined spines.
Ideal conditions: Full sun to part shade. Looks better with compost and regular water.
Bloom: grows berries when mature.

Ilex aquifolium (English holly) 'Aureo-marginata'

 
Description: 6-10' tall. Gold /green leaf variegation. Can be pruned to desired shape.
Ideal conditions: Full sun to part shade. Average soil. Looks fuller with compost and regular water.
Bloom: Male grows berries when mature.

Ilex Aquifolium ( English holly )

 
Description: 6-10' tall with bright green glossy leaves.
Ideal conditions: Full sun to part shade. Average soil. Looks fuller with compost and regular water.
Bloom: Male grows berries when mature.

Phyllostachys aurea (golden bamboo)

 
Description: 6-10' tall controlled. 10-20' uncontrolled. This is a running type, and it should be contained to limit growth. Fast growth. Stem diameter is up to 2". Leaves are a golden green. More color in sun.
Ideal conditions: Great for a container or a screen. Sun or partial shade. It can take drought. Average soil will do with little to regular water.
Bloom: None

Pyllostachys fargesia 'nitida' (Fountain Bamboo)

 
Description: A clumping variety of bamboo 6-8' tall, but if left uncontrolled it an reach 15-20'. Spreads in width slowly. Graceful weeping fountain shape. Greenish purple culms (stems) mature to purpleish black.
Ideal conditions: With shade it will look best but still looks good in part sun especially on the coast. Little to regular water.
Bloom: None

Escallonia ' Newport Dwarf'

 
Description: A smaller variety great for large pots or shrub borders. Leaves are 3/4" long, dark green, and glossy. Overall height is about 3' tall by 4' wide.
Ideal conditions: Full sun with well drained soil. Moderate water in the summer. Coastal winds are tolerated.
Bloom: Deep pink clusters appear in mid summer.

Corylus avellana 'Contorta' ( Harry Lauders walking stick )

 
Description: Deciduous moderate growing tree 8-10' tall and wide. Can be pruned to a smaller space. Growth is upright, but branches are very twisted. A great winter feature. Leaves are dark green.
Ideal conditions: Full sun for best results, although it can take partial shade. Very hardy with well drained soil and regular water.
Bloom: Delicate chains of yellow flowers hang down from the tips of the branches in very early spring.
 

Juniper Squamata 'Blue Star'

 
Description: An evergreen shrub colored silver blue. Very uniform growth. 2-3' tall x 3-4' wide.
Ideal conditions: On the coast this juniper prefers the hottest location possible. Any soil seems to work as long as it is well drained. Out here I don't bother with supplemental watering. In the right location this plant is a gardener's friend!
Bloom: None
 

Prunus laurocerasus ( Dwarf English Laurel )

 
Description: Lush looking evergreen shrub. Leaves are bright green and glossy. Reaches 6-8' tall but grows very slowly.
Ideal conditions: Full sun or part shade will work. Most soil types should work, but better to have it well drained. Regular water until established. It is best to prune it's branches individually. The leaves are 5-6" long and look tattered when shears are used. If it is a hedge do a bit regularly so it looks natural but well kept.
Bloom: In the spring small spikes of white flowers emerge if it hasn't been cut back too much.

Hydrangea quercifolia ( Oakleaf Hydrangea )

 
Description: Deciduous shrub 6' tall x 8' wide. Leaves are similar to oak tree leaves, but larger, and rougher in texture. Leaves have a slight burnt orange color mixed with green in summer if it's positioned in full sun. That orange turns more red as it changes to fall, and then to frost.
Ideal conditions: Sun on the coast to part shade. Rich soil. Regular water.
Bloom: Flowers are white, as they mature they gain a pinkish , purple tinge. They grow in tall upright spikes similar to paniculatas. Spring is there arrival time, and can be up to 8" long. As they mature they gain a pinkish , purple tinge.

Picea abies 'pendula' ( Weeping Norway Spruce staked upright )

 
Description: Evergreen shrub reaching 10' x 3' wide. Must be staked at first for training. Slow growing.
Ideal conditions: Hot sun with fertile well drained soil. Can tolerate a moderate amount of sea wind, but would prefer none I'm sure.
Bloom: small cones
 

Picea abies 'pendula' ( Weeping Norway Spruce, unstaked 'prostrata' )

 
Description: Evergreen shrub with tight cat tail like needled branches. Looks soft and flowing. Left unstaked it becomes a ground cover. It can be trained over a stump or looks great in a large pot.
Ideal conditions: Hot sun with fertile well drained soil. Can tolerate a moderate amount of sea wind, but would prefer none I'm sure.
Bloom: small cones

Picea abies 'Ohlendorfii'

 
Description: This variety of Norway spruce is very hardy. If left unpruned it's mature height would be 7-10' tall x 6-15' wide. The needles are dark green, very tight together and face upwards. This specific one was cultivated and pruned by Hans Jensen.
Ideal conditions: Takes hot sun to part sun. Well drained soil. Regular water until established. Tolerates a drought. Tolerates salt wind, but tends to burn on the side that’s getting it.
Bloom: small cones.

Picea abies 'Nidiformis' ( birds nest spruce )

 
Description: Dwarf spruce with compact growth. Very circular shaped. 2' x 4' spread. Ideal for rock gardens.
Ideal conditions: Likes sun on the coast. Shade seems to make it sparse. Well drained soil with regular water until established. Can tolerate drought. Doesn't enjoy the coastal wind.
Bloom: none
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