These smaller woodies have a small stature but a big presence
Winteris a great fourth dimension to await outside and evaluate thestructure of your landscape . It can be easier during this time of yr to tell if you involve a few morewoodiesto add geomorphologic support . belittled bush in finicky have a lot of utility in gardens . They fit perfectly inbedsandbordersand can be used intight spaceswhere more presence than a perennial is warranted . Here are a few smaller shrubs with impressive foliage that have worked well for us in the Southeast .
Candy Corn®Japanese spirea
Spiraeajaponica‘NCSX1 ’ , Zones 4–8
Candy Corn ® Nipponese spirea is so bright and cheerful that it almost does n’t seem real . Its leaf during the growing time of year is yellowish green but the orange - ruby young growth in bound create it truly striking . Once the newfangled growth turns yellowish - green , the bush produces clump of shining pinkish flowers . Growing to about 1 to 1½ feet improbable and 1½ to 2½ feet wide , Candy Corn ® is moderately drought tolerant and sturdy , taking full Dominicus to fond shade . The flowers make it democratic with pollinators , especially butterflies . A clipping in late summer prompts a flush of fabulous new growth for downfall . good of all , this cultivar is uninspired , which allays invasiveness concerns .
‘Margie Jenkins’ leucothoe
Leucothoeaxillaris‘Margie Jenkins ’ , Zones 5–9
The drear light-green parting and arching stems on ‘ Margie Jenkins ’ leucothoe are very attractive . This multistemmed shrub can progress to 2 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 5 substructure wide . It will distribute a morsel from the base as it produces fresh stems . ‘ Margie Jenkins ’ is a excerpt of a southeastern aboriginal species that is resistant to the leaf spot that plagues the species . This shrub tolerates full sun if kept consistently dampish but expect well with promising shadiness or morning sun and afternoon tad . It can also take full subtlety . Once show , it is somewhat drouth tolerant but very tolerant of tight base . In spring , racemes of clean , bell - shaped flowers appear , followed by bronze - colored new growth .
‘Radiance’ abelia
Abelia‘Radiance ’ , Zones 6–9
‘ Radiance ’ abelia has little folio that are vary . The cream and green foliage remains for most of the class and flex orange in winter . lily-white clusters of flower appear in the summer . The light - colored foliage and efflorescence make this shrub really stand out against darker light-green industrial plant . The blooms are very pop with pollinators and have a sweet sweetness . ‘ shine ’ is showy when grown in full Lord’s Day , but it will also take partial shade . It will grow 2 to 3 feet tall and 4 to 5 invertebrate foot wide-cut . The new growth that appears in spring and often again after flowering is tinted red .
Cinnamon Girl®distylium
Distylium‘PIIDIST - V ’ , Zones 7–9
Cinnamon Girl ® distylium features evergreen foliage on branch that grow up and out , reaching 2 to 3 animal foot tall and 3 to 4 metrical unit wide . The foliage is a lovely blue - green , while new growth is a flashy reddish purple . In other springiness , lilliputian red flower are produced all along the branches . This shrub maturate nicely in full sun . It will also take partial shade but will have a looser growth habit . The best affair about it is that it ’s tough . Cinnamon Girl ® can wield red-hot summer , drought , and pruning mistakes . However , it looks best with unconstipated lacrimation and yearly fertiliser .
There are so many groovy plants to opt from out there that it can be hard to narrow down the pick . These are a few compendious shrub that we ’ve been successful with in the Southeast , and all have interesting foliage to boot . Any one of these plant will have the neighbors require about that terrific George H.W. Bush in your yard .
For more compact bush , check outShrubs for Small Spaces in the South . And for more southeasterly regional reports , get across here .
Jason and Shelley Powell own and do Petals From the Past , a garden centre in Jemison , Alabama .
Photos : Shelley Powell
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‘Radiance’ abelia’s variegation is truly radiant, and it only grows 2 to 3 feet tall.
Candy Corn®Japanese spirea’s new spring growth is a bright yellow-orange.
The delicate white flowers of ‘Margie Jenkins’ leucothoe contrast well with its dark green foliage.
‘Radiance’ abelia features stunning yellow and white variegation on its foliage, which can also be tinted red and orange during other times of the year.
Cinnamon Girl®distylium’s pretty teal foliage has an intriguing ovate shape.
