Shrub Dasiphora fruticosa 'Yellow Bird' [Yellow Bird Bush Cinquefoil] 'Yellow Bird' has large, single to semi-double yellow flowers. Extreme hardiness and long season of bloom make Potentilla fruitcosa a favorite in severe climates. Low stature and tolerance of poor, dry soils give it added usefulness in other areas also. Can develop a ragged, unkept habit over time. Remove 1/3 of canes each year (3-year pruning cycle), and consider renewal pruning to a very low framework every 3-5 years if needed.
Shrub Exochorda racemosa [Common Pearlbush] The Common Pearlbush is lovely in the spring time with its abundance of beautiful, white flowers, but is unfortunately a rather non-descript shrub during the rest of the year. It is a tough plant, able to withstand both heat and drought. The common name refers to the round, pearl-like white flower buds.
Herbaceous Filipendula rubra 'Venusta Magnifica' [sold as Venusta Queen-of-the-Prairie] [Venusta Queen-of-the-Prairie]
Shrub Kerria japonica [Japanese Kerria] Fairly adaptable to soils and microclimates, including considerable shade; best out of extremely sunny exposures. Occasionally winter-injured in the north, but otherwise relatively trouble-free. Suckers and spreads slowly. Needs occasional pruning to remove dead branches and renewal pruning to maintain form.
Shrub Kerria japonica 'Golden Guinea' [Golden Guinea Japanese Kerria] 'Golden Guinea' has crisply textured leaves and bears an abundance of large yellow flowers. Fairly adaptable to soils and microclimates, including considerable shade; best out of extremely sunny exposures. Occasionally winter-injured in the north, but otherwise relatively trouble-free. Suckers and spreads slowly. Needs occasional pruning to remove dead branches and renewal pruning to maintain form.
Shrub Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' [Double Japanese Kerria] 'Pleniflora' is a very popular cultivar of Japanese Kerria with its long lasting, bright yellow, double flowers that are nearly spherical, reminiscent of "pom-poms". Fairly adaptable to soils and microclimates, including considerable shade; best out of extremely sunny exposures. Occasionally winter-injured in the north, but otherwise relatively trouble-free. Suckers and spreads slowly. Needs occasional pruning to remove dead branches and renewal pruning to maintain form.
Tree Malus × 'Adirondack' [Adirondack Flowering Crabapple] The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. This variant has a vase-shaped (somewhat columnar) habit, extremely upright branching, and high resistance to apple scab, fireblight, cedar-apple rust, and powdery mildew. Tends to flower and fruit in alternate years. Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth.