Gardening With Native Shrubs
Native shrubs are among some of the easiest to grow
, useful and most beautiful plants available to the gardener. This article examines native shrubs for the both the traditional and woodland garden.
Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) blooms in spring with white flowers. Flowers are followed by blue berries, which ripen in summer and attract wildlife. Lowbush blueberry has lustrous blue-green leaves that turn bronze & scarlet in fall. It grows well in dry, acid, nutrient poor soil.
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is, as the name suggests, a taller version of the lowbush blueberry..
Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) is a hardy shrub with dark green fragrant foliage which is found growing along the coast. It also produces fragrant waxy berries that attract wildlife and are often used in candle making. Bayberry is a very hardy shrub tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. It grows well in poor infertile, clay and sandy soils.
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) a deciduous holly which produces an abundance of red berries which can brighten up a garden in winter. An ideal shrub for shady areas with wet soil. As with most hollies both male and female bushes are required for berry production.
Summersweet (Clethera alnifolia) is an easy to grow shrub, native to wetland and wooded areas of the northeast. Summersweet is ideal for the shade garden and is one of the few late summer flowering shrub. It can provide the garden with color at a time when few other shrubs are in bloom. Its intensely fragrant flowers are white or pink.
Swamp Azalea (Azalea viscosum) is a hardy, deciduous azalea which blooms in late June to early July. Its prolific white to pinkish white flowers have a clove-like fragrance. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. In fall, its foliage turns a brilliant red. Swamp azalea is tolerant of wet soils, however its roots cannot be submerged in water. It is also tolerant of dry conditions.
The Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) is a tall, spring blooming shrub with white fuzzy flowers. Its large red flower buds develop into silky white and gray catkins. Its vibrant yellow fall color and reddish stems, which provide the landscape with winter interest, make this shrub are year round joy. Pussy willows grows well in almost any soil but it is a good idea to supplement it with peat moss or compost. Pussy Willows works well in the natural garden.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier Canadensis) is a perfect tall shrub for the natural or woodland garden. Its fragrant white flowers bloom in early spring before its leaves develop. After it flowers the serviceberry forms tasty, purple berries which are prized by both people and wildlife. The small edible berries can be used in jams, jellies and pies. In the fall the foliage of the serviceberry turns vibrant shades of orange, gold and red. Serviceberry is tolerant of shady conditions but it flowers best in full sun.
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a spring flowering, evergreen shrub that is ideal for the woodland garden. Its pale pink flowers attract hummingbirds This plant can withstand below zero temperatures and it is sun loving. The roots of the mountain laurel are shallow and need protection from too much heat and fertilizer. Provide shade for the roots with companion plants or with mulch. Water often during growth periods, do not let the plant dry out.
Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) is a spring blooming shrubs which produces pinkish white flowers in May. A great alternative to the invasive 'burning bush', chokeberry turns a brilliant red in fall. After it flowers, the chokeberry produces an abundance of glossy red berries which form in dense clusters along the branches. It berries often will last through winter and attract birds. Perfect for areas along streams and pond as it is tolerant of wet and boggy soils. Prefers full sun or part shade.
Native shrubs can be integrated into just about any garden plan. They're generally very hardy and easy to grow. They also require little maintenance, encourage bio-diversity and many berry producing species attract wildlife.
by: John Green
Great Native Shrubs For The Garden Frequently Asked Questions About Online Landscaping Ideas Learning The Landscaping Basics Jimboomba Turf Farm: Growing For Australia Basic Hydroponics, The Things To Get You Started The Basics Of Spring Gardening Flowers For Full Sun Gardens Hydroponics, A New Kind Of Indoor Gardening A Biodynamic Gardening Avenue The Path Of Biodynamic Gardening The Heart Of Biodynamic Gardening Water Fountains - History Of Water Fountains Growing Mushrooms Tips And Advice