Denny's Soapbox

Last week I wrote about some interesting new tree varieties. Today, I would like to introduce you to some exciting new shrubs, a vine, and a bamboo. What I consider to be one of the most exciting parts of my job at the garden center is getting to meet some of these new kids as they arrive at our nursery in the spring. Review the following list and see if any of these new plants may have a future home in your landscape.

This is an extremely dense, compact form of Crimson Pygmy Barberry which requires essentially no pruning. Bright crimson new growth is followed by rich burgundy to purple foliage with notes of orange and scarlet in the fall. Drought tolerant once established. Grows 2’ tall by 2-3’ wide.

A narrow, upright form of barberry with burgundy leaves. This plant makes an excellent upright thorny hedge. Grows 4-5’ tall and 2-3’ wide.

This Butterfly Bush has the closest to a red color flower available. Deep purple buds open to reddish-purple flowers with blooms throughout the summer. This plant grows 5-7’ tall and 5’ wide.

This is the first re-blooming lacecap hydrangea out of the Endless Summer Series of Hydrangeas. Flowers will bloom on old and new wood and the color of the flowers will be pink unless aluminum sulphate is added to make blue flowers. This plant grows 3-5’ tall 3-4’ wide.

Donald Wyman has purple buds that open to single, red-purple fragrant flowers in early to mid-June. This lilac blooms two weeks later than the common lilacs. Grows 8-10’ tall and 4-10’ wide.