Plants

Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Shasta'

[Shasta Doublefile Viburnum]

'Shasta' is a prolific bloomer and handsome plant that has strong, horizontal branching. The Doublefire Viburnum is fertile and more commonly used in the landscape than the sterile Japanese Snowball Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum). The white flowers are reminiscent of a lace doily with sterile showy flowers at edge surrounding the non-showy fertile flowers. Flower clusters accentuate the horizontal branching. Fruits are red that change to black if not eaten by birds, beginning in…

Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum 'Mariesii'

[Mariesii Viburnum]

Mariesii Viburnum has a spectacular fall color, dark green, ovate, strongly-veined, leaves turn burgundy red to purple red come fall.

Viburnum prunifolium

[Blackhaw Viburnum]

Widely tolerant of different soils and exposures. Transplants well. Relatively trouble-free. Can be pruned to form a nice hedge. Scale and borers are occasional problems. The edible fruits are sweet and can be eaten fresh, or used in jams and preserves.

Viburnum prunifolium 'Mrs. Henry Large'

[Mrs. Henry Large Blackhaw Viburnum]

'Mrs. Henry Large' is quite rare and unlikely to be found in commerce. Widely tolerant of different soils and exposures. Transplants well. Relatively trouble-free. Can be pruned to form a nice hedge. Scale and borers are occasional problems. The edible fruits are sweet and can be eaten fresh, or used in jams and preserves.

Viburnum trilobum

[American Cranberrybush Viburnum]

Widely tolerant of soils and microclimates. May be troubled by aphids. Drought resistance is not good. Fruits are used in preserves.

Viburnum trilobum 'Bailey Compact'

[Bailey's Compact American Cranberrybush Viburnum]

Widely tolerant of soils and microclimates. May be troubled by aphids. Drought resistance is not good. Fruits are used in preserves.

Weigela floribunda

[Crimson Weigela]

Less common, but very similar to Weigela florida (Old Fashioned Weigela), primarily differing in flowers (dark red-brown and not as showy) and less cold hardiness (USDA zone 6). Spreading, dense, rounded shrub, with branches eventually arching to the ground. Extremely adaptable, but prefers good drainage and full sun. Some drought sensitivity. A 3-year pruning cycle improves form and prevents development of legginess.

Wisteria floribunda

[Japanese Wisteria]

Use plants propagated vegetatively from heavy-flowering clones, as much variation exists in flowering. Some find it difficult to induce flowering. Too much nitrogen may promote more vegetative than flower bud formation. Can damage light-weight supporting structures, as vine can develop several inches in diameter.

Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'

[Amethyst Falls Wisteria]

Slower growth, more compact habit, and slightly smaller foliage than the species

Wisteria macrostachya 'Betty Matthews' [sold as Summer Cascade™]

[Summer Cascade Wisteria]