Tag Archives: Evergreen Shrub

Horticultural Report: Mountain Laurel

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Photo by: Carlotta Lucas, Ashland OR

Plant Name:Kalmia latifolia,
Common name: Mountain Laurel
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height: 3-15 ft (depends on variety)
Spread:3-15 ft (depends on variety)
Bloom Time:May to June
Flower Color:Rose, White, has purple markings
Exposure:Full Sun – Part Shade (Morning sun with afternoon shade is best)
Soil Requirements: Acid loving plant
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes:Excellent Showy Flowers, Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub, Year-round interest
Note: These shallow rooted plants are best in moist, cool, rich, acidic, well-drained humus soil
Uses: ;Compliments rhododendrons and azaleas.Use as border shrub, Woodland gardens Cottage gardens, Wild areas, Hedges, Foundation plants
Native to: Eastern USA
USDA Hardiness Zone:4-9

Horticulture Report: Cotoneaster salicifolius

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Plant Name:  Cotoneaster salicifolius


Common name:  Willow-leaf cotoneaster
Plant type: Broadleaf  Evergreen shrub
Height:  6-8 ft
Width:   6-10 ft
Bloom Time:  May
Flower Color:  Small White
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Well-drained Sandy Loam
Water Needs: Average, tolerates drought       
Attributes:  Non-edible Showy Red Berries in Winter, Arching Habit with open branches, Bird-friendly. 
Uses:  Border, Specimen, Background plant, Bank Cover, Group/Mass Plantings, Hedge, Year-round Interest.
Note: In hot areas part sun is best.
Native to: Western China & Northern India  
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-8

Low-growing varieties:

Cotoneaster salicifolius ‘Repens’:  Low-growing form. Can use as a groundcover. Covered in red pomes fruits in the fall.  Semi-evergreen in severe winter areas. ‘Green Carpet’ is very similar in habit.

Cotoneaster salicifolius ‘Scarlet Leader’ – Prostrate form creates a mat-like low ground cover only 2-3′ tall but spreads 8- 10′. Foliage is glossy & disease-free. Leaves can have purple hue in winter.  Produces abundant scarlet berries in the winter.

Horticulture Report:Rock Rose

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Plant Name: Helianthemum   heliamthemum
Common name: Rock Rose
Plant type: Evergreen, or Semi-evergreen, Shrubby Perennial
Height:   6-12 inches
Spread: 1-3 feet

Bloom Time: May – June
Flower Color: Various – White, Yellow, Red, Pink, Scarlet, Orange.
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Well Drained Rocky to Sandy Soil.

Water Needs: Low
Attributes:  Good in Alpine & Rock Gardens, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Evergreen Good accent plant with texture & form, Gray Foliage & Dark Green Foliage.
Uses: Attracts Butterflies,  Rock gardens, Container, Ground Cover, Xeriscape Gardens.
USDA Zone: 5-8  (check cultivar)

Horticulture Report: Arbutus unedo ‘compacta’

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arbutus-unedo-compactaPlant Name: Arbutus unedo ‘compacta’
Common Name:  Dwarf Strawberry Tree
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height: 6-8 ft
Spread/Width: 5-6 ft
Bloom Time: Repeating Fall to late winter
Flower Color: White, bell-shaped
Exposure:  Part to Full sun
Soil Requirements: Lean, well-drained soil
Water Needs: Low – Drought tolerant once established
Attributes: Masses of white flowers, Dark glossy green foliage, Cinnamon-colored bark, Edible strawberry-like fruit, , Dwarf plant, Bird friendly
Note: Low maintenance
Uses: Firewise plantings, Waterwise plantings, Privacy Screen, Specimen focal point, Wildlife gardens, Year-round interest, Informal hedge,  Butterfly gardens, Attracts Hummingbirds, Winter interest
Native to: Southern Europe and Ireland
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9

Horticulture Report: Winter Flowers

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Mid-Winter MadnessErica carnea…..Winter Heath

A dwarf evergreen shrub native to the European Alps which persist even under the snow. It often blooms at Christmas (“Winter Beauty”). Flowers are borne individually on the stem in masses of bell-shaped blossoms. Colors range from creamy white, rich pink, to deep ruby red (“ Ruby Glow”). Plant in well drained humus-rich soil. It needs partial shade in hotter areas. Prune yearly to prevent “legginess”.
Height 12-18”, spreading to 3 feet, so give it room.  USDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 10

“They are adorable, these clumps of winter heather. Actually they seem to welcome the snow, for it enhances their sweet complexions.” Beverley Nichols, Down the Garden Path

Horticulture Report: Firepower Nandina

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Plant Name: Nandina domesticanadina-firepower
Common Name:  Dwarf Heavenly bamboo
Cultivar: Firepower
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height:   24 inches
Spread:  24  inches
Bloom Time: None–Prized for lime green leaves &  brilliant red fall color.
Exposure:  Full sun
Soil Requirements: rich, humus, well drained, acid soil.
Water Needs: 1st growing season water weekly until established, more in extreme heat.  Once established water deeply, but less frequent.
Attributes: Vibrant Fall Color,  Firewise Plant, Waterwise Plant, disease resistant,  hardy.
Uses: Urban Garden, Woodland Garden, Asian/Zen Garden, Borders, Containers, Mass plantings, Groundcover.
Note:  Firepower Nandina does not produce berries.
USDA Zone: 6-11