Blondy Euonymus

The Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, is a rounded, 6 to 8 feet tall and occasionally reaqching 10 to 12 feet tall shrub. It is very open, almost gangly in habit. Flowers are creamy-white, on spherical heads, 1 to 1 1/4 inches long, blooming in late summer. It prefers moist situations, not dry tolerant, and best used for naturalizing in wet areas. Native from New Brunswick to Florida, west to Minnesota, Oklahoma and southern New Mexico, Arizona, California, into Mexico and Cuba.

The Red Flowering Quince, Chaenomeles speciosa, is valued for its spring flowers. The single or double rose like flowers emerge in clusters of 2–4, often before leaves develop. The oblong, serrated foliage opens bronze red and fades to a glossy dark green. It is very nice for a shrub border or espaliered to wall.Cut branches with swollen flower buds may be forced indoors, making a welcomed winter flower arrangement. To prune, remove only crossing, diseased or broken branches. Flowering quince should never be sheared.

The Euonymus Blondy, 'Euonymus f. 'Blondy', a Proven Winners selection, is a colorful new variety of evergeen euonymus. Blondy has dramatic, crisp variegation. The green and yellow foliage will be more pronounced in full sun but this adaptable plant can be planted in most locations. Blondy can be used at the front of the border or along walkways for four season interest. Place in well drained soil.

The Spicebush, Lindera bezoin, is a native deciduous shrub with a broad, rounded habit which typically grows 6-12' high. Clusters of tiny, aromatic, greenish-yellow flowers bloom along the branches in early spring before the foliage emerges. Flowers of female plants give way to bright red drupes (to 1/2" long) which mature in fall and are attractive to birds. Female plants need a male pollinator in order to set fruit, however. Tolerates full shade, but habit becomes more open and wide-spreading.

The Heavenly Bamboo, Nadina domestica, is not a true bamboo but a upright 6-8’ high, semi-evergreen shrub that tends to slowly sucker at the base, forming colonies. When this plant is in full sun it usually assumes a reddish tint in winter (depending on environmental conditions). Careful pruning, as canes do not branch out and best to thin out old stems every year or head back old canes at varying lengths to produce a dense plant. Once established, they are very tough plants, thriving in sun, shade, moist or dry conditions.

The Sweet Mock Orange, Philadephus coronarius, is a deciduous shrub. This name is probably derived from the fragrant white flowers resembling orange flowers that some species and cultivars of mock oranges have. Some mock oranges are without fragrance. Flowers are single, semi-double, or double and they vary in size. There is no color change in the fall. It is possible that most mock oranges will suffer from occasional tip kill in zone 4 and quite often in zone 3.

The Alpine Currant, Ribes alpinum, is a very hardy hedge plant that can be kept trimmed to any desired height from 18 inches to 4 feet. The abundant green, glossy foliage forms a dense hedge. Grows well in sun or shade and is rarely bothered by insects or plant diseases. The Alpine Currant can survive the coldest of winter climates with annual temperatures as low as -50° Fahrenheit. It does well in dry soils. Alpine currant is drought tolerant.

The American Elderberry, Sambucus canadensis, is a deciduous, upright shrub. It produces black or purple berries that are great for wildlife and jams and jellies. It has light gray or brown bark and is arching in form. Produces attractive flowers and berries all season long. Flattened panicles of small white flowers are produced in midsummer. It grows up to 12 feet in height and 10 feet in spread. Prefers moist soil and full sun. Native to North America.