The most popular shrubs today provide lots of colour, create appealing texture and are dwarf or compact in stature. Small shrubs provide us with more options in the landscape and combinations with other shrubs, perennials and annuals are endless. Consumers prefer shrubs that display a different look each season so that they can provide an ever-changing landscape that is attractive all year round.
Shrubs that require minimal maintenance are suited to the consumer who does not want to spend an excessive amount of time pruning, fertilizing and watering. Selecting shrubs that are cold-hardy and well-adapted to a variety of sites considerably reduces the need for care. This article features six shrubs suited for colder zones.
Pink Beauty® Potentilla
Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty' (PBR 0714, PP 9874)
Zone: 2 - 7
Height/Spread: 90cm / 125 cm
Growers rate this introduction as the very best pink potentilla on the market today. Pink Beauty is very floriferous, showing off a display of semi-double, clear pink flowers during most of the growing season. The colour of the flowers does not develop as well during extremely hot and dry weather. This plant continues to bloom well into October and maintains a healthy appearance with its glossy, dark green foliage. With light shearing the plant can be maintained at 60 cm height and width. While most potentilla prefers full sun, Pink Beauty does well in light shade and is well adapted to a variety of soils. This shrub requires very little maintenance, only a light trimming of branches or removal of old branches is needed. A balanced fertilizer should be applied before and during the flowering period. Potentilla mixes well with other shrubs and perennials in the landscape. The University of Manitoba, Department of Plant Science, developed Pink Beauty. Propagation of this cultivar is by licensed growers only.
Snowbird Potentilla
Potentilla fruitcosa 'Snowbird' (COPF)
Zone: 2-7
Height/Spread: 60-75 cm / 60-90 cm
Snowbird is the first double flowering white potentilla to be introduced. This double flowering may not be expressed when first planted, but as the plant matures, approximately 80 per cent of the flowers are double. Snowbird has an upright and compact form. The glossy green foliage makes the plant look great all season long. Snowbird is very easy to maintain because it is a slow grower and a smaller plant than the mainstream potentilla. Developed by the University of Manitoba, Plant Science Department.
Yellowbird Potentilla
Potentilla fruticosa "Yellowbird' (COPF)
Zone:
Height/Spread: 90 cm / 90 cm
Yellowbird received recognition as the first double flowered potentialla for the landscape industry. Bright yellow flowers give appeal throughout the season. The upright form of this shrub makes it very easy to manage. The glossy green foliage is very attractive and full and the plant form makes Yellowbird a good choice for a hedge. Yellowbird is another introduction from University of Manitoba, Plant Science Department.
Ivory Halo ® Dogwood
Cornus alba 'Bailhalo' (COPF)
Zone: 3- 7
Height/Spread:
This superb compact selection of the variegated dogwood has a dense plant form and fine-textured foliage. The great advantage of Ivory Halo over regular growing forms of variegated dogwoods is it can be planted in smaller spaces in the landscape. This shrub requires much less pruning and attained a height of only 90 cm after five years in our tests. The variegated foliage brightens up a shady area and the red twigs in the winter are attractive. We have not seen or has it been reported that it produces any seed. Dogwoods such as Ivory Halo are ideally suited to shaded area or full sun and prefer moist growing conditions. Developed by Bailey Nurseries in St. Paul, MN.
Blizzard Mockorange
Philadelphus lewisii 'Blizzard' (COPF)
This is a very hardy mockorange that produces an abundance of s
