Shrub/Tree Frangula alnus [Glossy Buckthorn] Rhamnus frangula is very weedy (invasive in some areas) and adaptable, and generally has an unattractive, leggy habit. Birds love the fruits and spread the seeds. This species is not recommended for use in the landscape.
Shrub Frangula alnus 'Ron Williams' [sold as Fine Line®] [Fine Line Glossy Buckthorn] Though the name buckthorn is forever a synonym of invasiveness, this cultivar gives the species a round of redemption. Fine Line is a hybrid of the cultivars of R. frangula 'Aspleniifolia' and 'Columnaris', giving its distinct upright habit and the glossy dark green leaves. Though Fine Line will flower and fruit, the seed viability extremely low, removing the invasive threat.
Shrub Hamamelis × intermedia 'Sunburst' [Sunburst Witchhazel] The Sunburst Witchhazel is a large, vase-shaped deciduous shrub that produces a profusion of interesting, strap-like lemon-yellow and red flowers in mid to late winter.
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 'Diana' [Diana Rose-of-Sharon] The white flowers of 'Diana' 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 screening. Late to leaf out in spring.…
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 'Abetwo' [sold as Incrediball®] [Incrediball® Smooth Hydrangea] Improved version of the 'Annabelle' cultivar
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…
