Callistemon, or bottlebrush, is a well-known shrub. It is loved by hummingbirds and bees. The most commonly grown species is C. citrinus, a fast grower to ten to fifteen feet tall and wide. An excellent dwarf variety is C. viminalis ‘Little John’ which grows about three by three feet and sports intense red flowers. All Callistemon like full sun and moderate to regular water. They are also tolerant of waterlogged soil.
Helianthemum is a great low growing evergreen shrub. It only gets about six inches tall and spreads two to three feet. Flowers can be white, yellow, pink, orange or red. The biggest flower show occurs in late spring or early summer, but further flowering can be encouraged by shearing off the spent flowers. Full sun,…
Buxus, or boxwood, is the classic hedging plant. It responds well to pruning and clipping and is also great for topiaries. It is a slow grower and is very cold hardy. Some varieties and species turn orange to bronze in winter. For green foliage all year, plant ‘Green Beauty’ or ‘Winter Gem’. Buxus will also…
The Cotoneasters listed here are all evergreen and require little to moderate water. They have small white flowers in spring and red berries in autumn and winter. The most common groundcover types are ‘Coral Beauty’, ‘Lowfast’ and ‘Streib’s Findling’, all of which will get about ten feet wide and do well in sun or partial shade. …
Salvia microphylla is a wonderful plant that requires little water once established and is not liked by deer, but is a hummingbird magnet! Flower colors are off-white, yellow, coral, pink, red and purple. One very popular variety is called ‘Hot Lips’, with red and white flowers. An interesting aspect of this one is the changing flower color. The flowers are…