Shrub/Tree Hibiscus syriacus [Rose-of-Sharon] Flowers single or double, in wide range of colors (depending on cultivar), are born on new growth, so heavy pruning in the spring enhances blooming later that summer. Pruning to functional size of 4-5' produces excellent habit and flowering. Becomes leggy with age if not pruned. Prune hard when young to promote more branching. Occasionally, stems are killed back in winter; nevertheless, flowering on new growth is not reduced. Generally not the best for solid…
Shrub Hibiscus syriacus 'Morning Star' [Morning Star Rose-of-Sharon] 'Morning Star' has showy white flowers with a red eye and anemone center. Flowers are born on new growth, so heavy pruning in the spring enhances blooming later that summer. Pruning to functional size of 4-5' produces excellent habit and flowering. Becomes leggy with age if not pruned. Prune hard when young to promote more branching. Occasionally, stems are killed back in winter; nevertheless, flowering on new growth is not reduced. Generally not the best…
Shrub Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA1' [sold as Invincibelle® Spirit] [Invincibelle Spirit Smooth Hydrangea] The Invincibelle Spirit Smooth Hydrangea produces large (larger than the straight species), upright globular heads of sterile, pink flowers in June. Tops usually die back in extreme Northern regions of its hardiness zone (including Zones 4 and 5). However, flowers are on new wood, and they still appear when tops are winter killed, or plants are pruned to ground. Winter killed branches need removal. Not drought tolerant. Poor, coarse form in the winter landscape. Many…
Shrub Hydrangea macrophylla [Bigleaf Hydrangea] Beautiful flowers that are borne as either mopheads (hortensias), which are globular masses of mostly showy sterile flowers, or lacecaps, which are flat-topped clusters that have an outer ring of showy flowers surrounding small, less-showy fertile flowers in the center. In general, an acidic soil will produce a very blue colored flower in most cultilvar, and alkaline pink. High quality foliage. Lower flower production in cold climates, and performs poorly on hot dry sites. A…
Shrub Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer' [sold as Endless Summer®] [Endless Summer Bigleaf Hydrangea] 'Bailmer' is an excellent mophead (hortensia) cultivar for cold climates, as it is hardy to USDA zone 4 and produces flowers on both old and new growth, unlike other Hydrangea macrophylla variants. As the name Endless Summer suggests, this plant blooms all summer, and even into the fall. An acidic soil will produce a very blue colored flower and alkaline pink. High quality foliage. Performs poorly on hot dry sites. A few pest problems, including…
Shrub Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mariesii Variegata' [Variegated Bigleaf Hydrangea] This cultivar has beautiful variegated foliage and lacecap flowers. An acidic soil will produce a very blue colored flower, and alkaline pink. High quality foliage. Lower flower production in cold climates, and performs poorly on hot dry sites. A few pest problems, including scale, mites, powdery mildew, and leaf spot.
Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia [Oakleaf Hydrangea] A unique plant with attractive flower panicles and large, coarse, handsome foliage. Tops (including flower buds formed in fall) can die back when winter temperatures go much below – 20 degrees F (often in Zone 6b and colder). Flowers form on previous season's growth. Thus, no flowers will appear in the years when the tops are killed. May be best used for foliage effect in cold areas. Not very drought tolerant. Spreads by stolons forming…
Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice' [Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea] Alice is an upright, stoloniferous shrub with a broad, rounded habit which grows 5-8' tall and similar in witdth. In optimum growing conditions, Alice can reach heights of 12' tall. The flowers of this shrub are the highlight of any landscape with creamy-white, feathery panicles that change to a rosy-pink color with age. Large, coarse green leaves change to a burgundy-red in the fall. Exfoliating stems add texture and color during the winter months. Tops…
Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia 'Flemygea' [sold as Snow Queen™] [Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea] A unique plant with attractive flower panicles and large, coarse handsome foliage. 'Flemygea' is known for its larger and more numerous showy, sterile flowers in each panicle. This cultivar also has stronger flower stems that can withstand a heavy rain better than many Hydrangea quercifolia variants. Tops (including flower buds formed in fall) can die back when winter temperatures go much below – 20 degrees F (often in Zone 6b and colder). Flowers form on…
Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee' [Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea] A unique plant with attractive flower panicles and coarse, handsome foliage. 'Pee Wee' is an excellent compact cultivar (up to 3' high and wide) that has smaller leaves and flower panicles than the species type. Tops (including flower buds formed in fall) can die back when winter temperatures go much below – 20 degrees F (often in Zone 6b and colder). Flowers form on previous season's growth. Thus, no flowers will appear in the years…
