Eleagnus ‘Gilt Edge’

Lagerstroemia (crape myrtle) These shrubs are a great favorite in our area as they adapt so well to heat, bloom in the summer and require little water once established. The plants naturally grow as multi-trunked shrubs, but are often trained as standard trees.  The height varies greatly from three to twenty feet, so be sure to choose the right variety for…

Abelia grandiflora has arching stems six to eight feet tall and produces large numbers of small white or pink bell-shaped flowers in summer. The variety ‘Sherwoodii’ is three to four feet tall and has lavender flowers and darker green leaves.  ‘Kaleidoscope’ is only two to three feet tall with yellow variegated foliage and white flowers in summer. The leaf color tends to redden…

Viburnum is a genus that contains many species, both evergreen and deciduous, and there are several good varieties for our area. Viburnum tinus ‘Robustum’ and Viburnum ‘Spring Bouquet’ are among the earliest spring blooming shrubs. They both have flat heads of pink buds opening to white blossoms which in turn form dark blue berries. The former can grow…

Commonly called butterfly bush, buddleja can reach fifteen feet and flowers in shades of purple, lavender, pink, white or yellow.  It is also available in an increasing number of dwarf varieties, most of which grow to three to five feet.  The flowers are a favorite of butterflies, hence the common name.  All the Buddlejas perform best if they are pruned severely…

Usually grown as a shrub or small tree, Vitex (chaste tree) reaches about twelve feet tall and wide.  The very attractive leaves are divided into five to seven leaflets and are a grey green.  The flower spikes appear in summer and are usually purple, although white is also available.  The plant is deciduous and can…