I am looking to find a shrub or evergreen to plant that will grow to be 3-4 tall with only a 2/2.5 foot or less spread. It is a sunny location in zone 6. I need a plant that will look good/interesting all year long.
This seems like a tall order but I know you all are so knowledgeable when it comes to plants so I would appreciate hearing any suggestions.
Thanks!
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rainbowgardener
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Kalmia (mountain laurel) and viburnum are both lovely shrubs that come in dwarf versions that would about fit your size requirements or be easily trimmed to it.
Kalmia is evergreen; viburnum isn't but has deliciously fragrant spring flowers and later berries that birds like.
Here's one of the dwarf kalmias
https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1722/elf-dwarf-mountain-laurel.php
Here's one of the dwarf viburnums:
https://www.waysidegardens.com/gardening/PD/46675/
Kalmia is evergreen; viburnum isn't but has deliciously fragrant spring flowers and later berries that birds like.
Here's one of the dwarf kalmias
https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1722/elf-dwarf-mountain-laurel.php
Here's one of the dwarf viburnums:
https://www.waysidegardens.com/gardening/PD/46675/
Skimmia Japonica has worked well for me as a sturdy little shade loving evergreen. You do need a male and a female but it's worth it for the bright red holly like berries.
I do like the Kalmia but they get leggy fo me and seem to require a bit more sun than the rhodys. I guess it depends on how shady your shady spot is.
I have some holly's that take pretty good shade but I haven't tried any dwarfs yet.. I just prune to size and they love the shears.
I do like the Kalmia but they get leggy fo me and seem to require a bit more sun than the rhodys. I guess it depends on how shady your shady spot is.
I have some holly's that take pretty good shade but I haven't tried any dwarfs yet.. I just prune to size and they love the shears.
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rainbowgardener
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Oops.. A sunny local opens up so many more options. "Briggs Moonlight" daphne is a real keeper is the shrub department but if you have the sun so many neat conifers will work. Think about a dwarf Poncerus Trifoliatta AKA Flying dragon orange. Nasty thorns but great year round interest esp the little contorted one with it's evergreen stems showing off it's corkscrew thorns.
Rainbow is right on the money with a viburnam. GREAT spring fragrance on any of them but I still like the older Carlesi..Not sure how small you can keep it and still get lots of blooms.
If I could I would give you a Lauders walking stick. It's just never been one of my favorites. Would like it better if the leaves didn't look contorted as well as the trunk/stems.
Rainbow is right on the money with a viburnam. GREAT spring fragrance on any of them but I still like the older Carlesi..Not sure how small you can keep it and still get lots of blooms.
If I could I would give you a Lauders walking stick. It's just never been one of my favorites. Would like it better if the leaves didn't look contorted as well as the trunk/stems.
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microcollie
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There are a couple weigela varieties out there that fit the bill. Look at "wine and roses" and "midnight wine". They have the advantage of red/burgundy foliage when they're not in bloom.
I also have a calicarpa that dies back to the ground every year in my zone 4 garden, so it stays short. Vibrant green foliage and pretty lavender berries in the fall. And it fruits on new wood, so you, too, could cut it way back in the spring.
I also have a calicarpa that dies back to the ground every year in my zone 4 garden, so it stays short. Vibrant green foliage and pretty lavender berries in the fall. And it fruits on new wood, so you, too, could cut it way back in the spring.
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rainbowgardener
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Well... I'm in zone 6, like the OP. I have a callicarpa and it does NOT die back and it is getting huge and outgrowing the space I have for it, which is considerably larger than the dimensions that were originally asked for. I keep cutting it back and it keeps getting huger.
I checked and I couldn't find any dwarf varieties of callicarpa (beauty berry). Too bad though, it is a nice shrub, with pretty much year around interest, since the berries persist most of the way through the winter.
I checked and I couldn't find any dwarf varieties of callicarpa (beauty berry). Too bad though, it is a nice shrub, with pretty much year around interest, since the berries persist most of the way through the winter.
maybe a fire power nandina? they give you green color in the summer and turn to a nice red toward the end of summer early fall. they shouldnt need much trimming. the abelia kalidescope is a nice plant also it get 2-3 ft tall but I think it gets slightly wider. I seen some very nice dwarf white pines