Downsizing Shrubs

When you're deciding which shrubs to add to your perennial garden, go for the ones that provide something of interest when various perennials (and annuals) have finished blooming.

by Stephanie Cohen, special to HGTV.com

No matter the season, perennial gardens look much better when interspersed with small shrubs that are in scale with their perennial counterparts. On a snowy day in winter, look out to the border and--if there are only perennials there--all you may see are grasses and the dried flower heads of sedum. By using shrubs with interesting barks, forms, persistent berries and colorful stems, you have added structure and interest to the garden.

Many of these shrubs have wonderfully variegated foliage and exceptionally long periods of bloom. Their use is not limited to perennial borders; they can be incorporated into foundation plantings, shrub borders or even in containers. You can use them under windows or around decks and patios without fear of their becoming so enormous that you have added constant pruning to your workload.

'Chardonnay Pearls' --photo courtesy of Proven Winners

Slender deutzia (Deutzia gracilis) 'Chardonnay Pearls'. In spring the plant is covered with a multitude of beautiful white buds that pop open to emit a delicate fragrance. This three-foot shrub also has very lovely lime-yellow foliage that provides color from spring to fall. It does well in average garden soil. In hot climates it does best in partial shade; in cooler climates, it can take morning sun but needs shade in the afternoon. Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8.

Dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii). In April the honey-scented white flowers resemble little bottle-brushes and generally flower for two weeks before the foliage appears. The leaves are handsome, leathery dark green, and in fall the leaves become one of nature's truly glorious sights. The colors range from bright yellow to orange to scarlet--all combined on the same leaf. This two- to three-foot plant has definite three-season appeal. It grows best in acid, peaty, sandy loam. It tolerates partial shade, but for great fall coloration needs full sun. It also needs good drainage. Hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8.

'Little Henry' --photo courtesy of Proven Winners

In early summer Itea virginica 'Little Henry'--commonly known as sweetspire--begins to flower. The long, slender, sweetly fragrant white blooms can easily last for two months. A three-foot compact plant, it prefers moist fertile soils, but still grows quite well in moisture retentive garden soil in full sun to partial shade. An added bonus is that it is a good butterfly attractor. It does well in the garden, but it's equally at home in a container. During the summer the leaves are a distinct bright green, but when autumn approaches, scarlet and crimson are evident and can even become a vivid wildfire red. Hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9.

'Purple Emperor' --photo courtesy of Proven Winners

Speaking of butterflies, why not try a short version of the butterflybush (Buddleia davidii)? Many cultivars range from 10 to 15 feet, but ‘Purple Emperor’ is only four to five feet tall. Its fragrant, lavender-purple blooms from summer through fall make it a good background plant for shrub or perennial borders. Although shorter, 'Purple Emperor' is as floriferous as its taller cousins and quite well-behaved. It grows in full sun and average, well-drained garden soil. After the plant is established, cut back in early spring to rejuvenate and increase flower size. Hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9.

When fall comes, there are other options for color besides foliage, particularly witih late-flowering shrubs and berries. Two new Caryopteris selections are absolutely handsome in the late landscape.

'Petit Bleu' --photo courtesy of Proven Winners

'Sunshine Blue' --photo courtesy of Proven Winners

The blue-mist shrub (Caryopteris x cladonensis ‘Petit Bleu') is only 24 to 30 inches tall. The dark blue flowers look almost fluorescent in the garden. The dark green aromatic foliage highlights the spectacular flower color. You can expect a dazzling floral display from late summer through fall. ‘Petit Bleu’ grows in average garden soil in full sun.

Then there's common bluebeard (Caryopteris x incana). Well, 'Sunshine Blue' is far from common. This equally late three-foot bloomer sports striking amethyst-blue flowers, but the leaves are a magical sunny yellow. The contrast is astounding. 'Sunshine Blue' grows best in full sun and in cooler climates, but in hotter areas it does better in partial shade or some filtered morning sun.

Once they are established, both 'Petit Bleu' and 'Sunshine Blue' benefit from cutting back in late winter or early spring. They are hardy in Zones 5 and 6, but it's best to mulch for protection there. In Zone 7 and southward, this isn't necessary.

'Amethyst' --photo courtesy of Proven Winners

The pink flowers of coralberry (Symphoricarpos x dorenborsii), appearing in June, aren't overly showy, and the foliage is a soft blue-green. By fall, though, the flowers have metamorphosed into sparkling clusters of coral berries that put on a spectacular display from September to November. 'Amethyst' The plant is three to five feet high and tolerates both clay and limestone and grows in full sun t o partial shade. Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 7.

'Midnight Wine' weigela offers attractive foliage and spring flowers and tops out at only 12 inches tall. Find out more about this and many other short shrubs.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to selecting small and wonderful shrubs for combining with perennials, in foundation or shrub borders, and even for containers on patios or decks.

--Stephanie Cohen, co-author of The Perennial Gardener's Design Primer (Storey, 2005), is the former director of the Temple University arboretum in Ambler, Pa., and a contributing editor to Fine Gardening.

Resources
The Perennial Gardener's Design Primer
(hardcover)
by Stephanie Cohen, Nancy J. Ondra
Storey Publishing, 2005
Order this title from Amazon.com.

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