New Shrubs for 2019 from one of the best in the business: Spring Meadow Nursery
Legend of the Fall™ Bottlebrush
(Fothergilla x intermedia 'ALICE')
Wow. And wow again. Designers have always favored fothergilla for its brilliant fall color, but this new one is truly outstanding, with shades of yellow, orange, deep red and purple. It has the usual white bottlebrush-type flowers in spring, along with pure green foliage. Four to five feet in height and width, it requires little pruning to stay in shape and prefers moist, acidic soil with excellent drainage. It's tolerant of shade, but fall color is best if it gets some sun every day. It's also heat resistant, deer resistant, and a native plant to boot. USDA Zones 5-9.
Montana Moss™ Juniper
(Juniperus chinensis 'SMNJCHM')
This just might be the choice for a tough evergreen groundcover that actually looks terrific. Its needles have a blue-green hue, it's soft to the touch, and it has a lovely moss-like texture. This juniper tolerates poor soil, drought, heat, salt, and full sun, and it may be pruned as needed to control its spread. It grows two to four feet high by three to five feet wide, and is hardy in Zones 4-9. Great as a groundcover in urban areas, and it may be used in mass plantings or as a specimen. Can't think of any reason NOT to use this plant.
Dandy Man Color Wheel™ Rhododendron
(Rhododendron x "NCRX1)
How about a disease-resistant rhododendron whose blooms first appear as deep red buds and open to ruffled pink flowers that fade to pure white. This rhody is heat tolerant, and its broadleaf evergreen foliage makes it a presence throughout the year. It grows four to eight feet high and wide and prefers cool acidic soil with excellent drainage. It flowers well in shade and also attracts pollinators. Particularly useful in foundation plantings, mixed borders, hedges, or as a stand alone specimen. Zones 5-9.
Illuminati Tiny Tower™ Mockorange
(Philadelphus coronaries 'SMNPVG')
I've never been a great fan of mockorange, but I'd like to know if this new one might change my mind. It has a narrow, columnar habit, three to four feet high and 1.5 feet wide, and it's said to have a four-sided "tower" effect. Of course it has loads of tiny, fragrant white flowers in spring, amid dark green leaves on upright branches. it blooms on old wood and may be pruned after flowering as required. Great for mixed borders and in perennial beds and the branches may be cut and used in arrangements. It's also deer resistant and and drought tolerant, hardy in Zones 4-7.
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