From the garden of David Christopher, Agway of Cape Cod, Orleans
Azaleas, Hydrangeas, Spirea, Rhododendron, Lilac, Forsythia…whether you’re a gardener or not, these are all common shrubs that everyone is familiar with. These shrubs are a staple on every property and they are some of the most common plants sold at every garden center. They are universally beautiful, but they are not unique garden decor.
Looking for something that can make your property stand out from your neighbors? Look to the “not so common” plants. Choosing unusual plants can get heads turning and cause people to ask, “What is that?” They’re what we call a “Showgarden Shrub.”
As an avid gardener, I’m always wanting to try something new. For me, the best way to learn about anything is to experience it myself. So, in planning my gardens, I always reserve a spot for a showgarden plant. Caring for them and watching them grow isn’t always what I would expect. Learning about their growth habits comes with some failures and unfortunately having to loose a few along the way!
The showgarden plants that do mature are the ones that stand out and catch the eye of the curious passerby.
I frequently get questions about these “not so common” shrubs in the garden center. “How big will it get?” “What does the flower look like?” “How wide will it get?” etc… These are all valid questions since in most garden centers you are looking at an immature plant when shopping. It’s hard to imagine what a particular tree or shrub will look like at full maturity.
With some simple planning anyone can add a showgarden plant to their landscape. For best effect, select varieties that offer something unique for each season. It’s not always the flower that catches the eye. Sometimes it can be the foliage of the black lace elderberry, sunsplash winterberry, or dappled willow that stands out.
The cross pollination of plant species has produced many new cultivars with interesting and unique features! Even native plants have been hybridized to create new variations that remain environmentally beneficial to our wildlife and yet, are extremely eye catching in the landscape.
A number of these plants that I’ve had success with kick off the season in early spring with the rose like flowers of April Dawn Camellia, Cherry Blossom Deutzia, Sweet Emotion Abelia and Double Take Orange Quince.
Cherry Blossom Deutzia – An Early Spring Rose Flower
Late spring introduces the citrusy scent of Minnesota Snowflake Mock Orange, the sweet aroma of Miss Kim Lilac and Merlot Itea. Eye catching is the darker foliage of Summer Wine Ninebark, Black Lace Elderberry and the newly forming pink tips of the Dappled Willow.
As the curtain closes on one season the spot light shines upon a new act with the foggy blossoms of Royal Purple Smoke Bush bringing in summer. A cast of other surrounding showgarden plants include Bush Clover Gibraltar, Nightglow Diervilla, Ruby Spice Clethra, Blue Diddley Chaste Tree, and Peegee Hydrangea.
Sunsplash Winterberry Plant
Fall time winds down the season but not before a final showing from the American Beautyberry Bush, Sunsplash Winterberry and Crape Myrtle Hopi.
Whether your gardens are a planned hobby or you have a low maintenance yard, anyone can easily add a few specimens that not only raise the bar, but catch your neighbors attention and cause them to ask, “what is that shrub standing out in your garden”?
I hope this post inspires you to tap into your creativity when gardening this year. There really are endless options to brighten up your garden and make it uniquely you, we invite you to explore and ask questions at Agway!