Shrubs for Small Spaces in the Midwest

Mark Weathington , director of the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University in Raleigh , North Carolina , discusses several small shrub varieties that provide big interest in a tiny package as well as the benefits of selecting the right - size plant for a sure space :

“ residue tell , even if blank space is limited there are many compact shrub that will provide colour , interest , and excitement . Selecting the correct - size plants will ensure that you do n’t have surplus work trying to keep them from inundate their neighbors . see each plant a vital composition of the whole , and do n’t pause to move something around or remove it altogether if it is n’t fulfil its role . ”

Aside from picking a shrub you know will last out pocket-size and considering how it will fit among its neighbors , it is also authoritative to sleep together whether a certain shrub grow well in your region . Find four little but mighty bush for the Midwest below , and discover more heavyset shrubs in Mark ’s articleCompact Shrubs That Provide Color , Interest , and Excitement .

Midwest Plant plunk

Additional gardening information for the Midwest region

Mark Weathington articles

See the bestcompact shrubs for the other realm

1. ‘Bixby’ azalea

Name:Rhododendron‘Bixby’

Zones:5–8 ( flower bud hardy to – 20 ° F )

Size:2 feet magniloquent and 3 feet wide

Conditions : Full Dominicus to partial subtlety ; coarse , acidic , well - drained soil

aboriginal range : Hybrid

If you have find evergreen azalea in the Upper Midwest to be generally semi - evergreen and lightly flowered , prepare to be awed by ‘ Bixby ’ . In May this really hardy evergreen azalea cloaks itself in shocking scarlet flowers with a sassy frilled edge ; deadheading is not necessary . The leaves are keep for two years and have the added welfare of turning mahogany to majestic - inkiness in fall through wintertime . At least five hour of unmediated sun with afternoon shade is ideal for this knockout . It has a restrained outgrowth pace and looks smashing planted in people .

2. ‘Barnes’ Oriental spruce

Name:Picea orientalis‘Barnes’

Zones:4–7

Size:3 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide

precondition : Full sun to fond shade ; do best in well - drained loam but will tolerate short or rocky soil

aboriginal range : Southwestern Europe and Asia

‘ Barnes ’ is a dwarf spruce with short , lustrous greenish acerate leaf that are held tightly against the branches and keep up to four twelvemonth , giving it a lovely density . view from above , this short peach is almost always absolutely round , because the branches radiate every bit from the center . have a bun in the oven a very tedious growing charge per unit and a flat top rather than the concave marrow distinctive of most “ bird ’s nest ” conifer . While ‘ Barnes ’ is liberal of drought and dry summertime heat , placing it out of winter wind tunnels is wise .

3. ‘Regent’ Saskatoon serviceberry

Name:Amelanchier alnifolia‘Regent’

Zones:2–7

Size:4 to 6 foundation tall and 4 to 7 feet wide

condition : Full sun to partial shade ; well - drained territory ; kind of alkalinity

aboriginal range : Western North America

Here ’s a midget bush for the edible landscape painting . ‘ Regent ’ bear ¾-inch snowy blossom on upright stem preface the leaves . The sweet , purplish inglorious berry mature in June and are a treat if you may beat the birds to them — and yes , it is ego - pollinating . It has nicely serrate , medium dark-green leafage that fires yellow - amber in fall . With its suckering habit and extreme winter hardiness , this nifty container specimen can also be a perfect campaigner for aboriginal gardens , woodland edges , and other naturalistic landscape painting .

4. ‘Blue Shadow’ fothergilla

Name:Fothergilla×intermedia‘Blue Shadow’

Zones:5–8

Size:4 to 5 feet marvelous and 4 to 6 feet extensive

condition : Full sunshine to fond shadowiness ; moist , well - drained ground

This charming choice for fond shadowiness provides three seasons of colour . ‘ Blue Shadow ’ greets spring with bee - well-disposed , white bottlebrush flower that smell like honey . The green , medium - size of it leaves emerge as the flowers are put on their show , and the powder blue iridescence come a flake later , coating the mature leaves . Then in sunny decline sites , ‘ Blue Shadow ’ will reward you with orange , yellow - Au , and red pin color . apply it as a specimen for small spaces , or plant it in Mass in larger bed . It requires minimum pruning , if any , and no deadheading .

Tony Fulmer is chief gardening officer for Chalet , a speciality nursery in Wilmette , Illinois .

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