Plants

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.

Filipendula purpurea 'Elegans' [sold as Japanese Meadowsweet]

[Japanese Meadowsweet]

Forsythia × intermedia

[Border Forsythia]

The most showy forsythia cultivars are found in this vigorous and adaptable hybrid species. Cut stems excised in mid-winter will flower indoors due to very short chilling requirement. Hardy to USDA Zone 4 for vegetative parts and USDA 5(6) for flowers. Flower buds are killed by severe winters in zone 5, and frequently in colder zones. Plants, however, are hardy in Zone 4. Too big for most foundations and small border plantings (Don't Shear!). Remove…

Forsythia × intermedia 'Courtasol' [sold as Gold Tide®]

[Dwarf Border Forsythia]

'Courtasol' is a compact, dwarf cultivar that can function as a groundcover. It has arching branches that are covered with an abundance of bright yellow flowers early in the spring. Cut stems excised in mid-winter will flower indoors due to very short chilling requirement. Hardy to USDA Zone 4 for vegetative parts and USDA 5(6) for flowers. Flower buds are killed by severe winters in zone 5, and frequently in colder zones. Plants, however, are…

Forsythia × intermedia 'Golden Bells'

[Golden Bells Forsythia]

The Golden Bells Forsythia flowers in early spring, golden flowers cover the bare shrub as the emerge before foliage. Groups or clusters are produced along the stems although, Forsythias only bloom on old wood, leaves sprout shortly after bloom and are medium to dark green in the summer season.

Forsythia × intermedia 'Karl Sax'

[Karl Sax Border Forsythia]

The Karl Sax Border Forsythia is a dense shrub that bears its dark yellow flowers horizontally. Flower buds are more cold hardy than many Forsythia variants, but flower buds can be killed by severe winters in zone 5, and frequently in colder zones. Plants, however, are hardy in Zone 4. Cut stems excised in mid-winter will flower indoors due to very short chilling requirement. Too big for most foundations and small border plantings (Don't Shear!).…

Forsythia × intermedia 'Spectabilis'

[Showy Border Forsythia]

'Spectabilis' is a well-known and high quality Forsythia variant that has been around for many years. It is a very vigorous grower and prolific bloomer with bright yellow flowers that smother the branches early in the spring. 'Spectabilis' flower buds have better cold hardiness than many cultivars, but flower buds can be killed by severe winters in zone 5, and frequently in colder zones. Plants, however, are hardy in Zone 4. Cut stems excised in…

Forsythia × 'Meadowlark'

[Meadowlark Forsythia]

This hybrid of Forsythia ovata and F. europaea is an excenllent variant for the Midwest and is noted for its abundance of cold hardy flower buds that open to create a bright yellow flower show in the spring. Cut stems excised in mid-winter will flower indoors due to very short chilling requirement. Too big for most foundations and small border plantings (Don't Shear!). Remove old wood for best appearance.

Fothergilla gardenii

[Dwarf Fothergilla]

A very useful and adaptable small shrub that has unique, fragrant, bottle-brush flowers and spectacular fall foliage. Chlorosis develops in high pH soil.

Fothergilla gardenii 'Jane Platt'

[Jane Platt Dwarf Fothergilla]

A very useful and adaptable small shrub that has unique, fragrant, bottle-brush flowers and spectacular fall foliage. Compared to the species type, 'Jane Platt' has slightly larger flower spikes and more cascading branches, but reportedly the fall color is not quite as brilliant. Chlorosis develops in high pH soil.