Front Landscaping: New Shrubs up Top

Okay, I just braved the rain (and spiders!) to get these plant tags from the shed.

Totally worth it.

Especially since the spider in my gardening bag was not on any of the tags.

I think. EEK!

 

Top Bed:

 

So these shrubs are mostly background for the blooms below.

Also, the idea is for them to grow big and tall to help screen the house.

 

Elderberry 'Black Beauty'

8-12' tall and wide

Soft pink early summer flowers, edible fall berries.

Prune after flowering. Leave flower clusters intact for fall fruit.

 

* This is one I saw in VWGarden's yard, that I wouldn't have picked up on my own, probably. I really liked how it fit into her garden, with the darker foliage and stems.

I already enjoy the contrast it provides here, too.

Viburnum opulus 'Roseum'

Common Snowball

8' tall and wide

 

Abundant, ball-shaped clusters of double, white blooms in late spring.

Three-lobed foliage turns burgundy-red in fall, accented by red ornamental berries.

Cold hardiness: zone 3

Prune to desired size and shape.

 

This one is a sentimental favorite.

I have fond memories of a snowball bush outside of our home when I was little.

(Must have been really little, because it was pre-Alaska days.)

I remember picking the big "snowballs," then shaking them to see the "snowflakes" coming down.

I would love to give my kids the same experience.

May it grow quickly!

'Green Mountain' boxwood

5' tall, 3' wide

 

Fast-growing when young.

Leaves stay green through winter (we'll see about that).

 

 'Quick Fire' Hardy Hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bulk'

6-8 ' tall and wide

 

Blooms about a month before other hardy varieties and flowers every year.

Flowers open white, then turn pink as summer progresses.

Prune late winter/early spring.

 

Here's the kicker: *once established, seldom needs watering*

Are we sure this is really a hydrangea?

I'll take it!

 

I planted this one behind the trio of peonies down below.

I'm hoping the bloom times will be staggered enough that they can play off each other--one giving more background green while the other is the star.

However, you know what they say about the best laid plans, and all that.

This spring will be the true test.

 

Daphne 'Carol Mackie'

3' tall and wide

 

Fragrant pink flowers in spring.

Prefers dry locations (check!) and fairly cool roots.

Do not overwater.

Fertilize in spring prior to new growth.

Prune to control size and shape as needed.

 

This little Daphne is on the end close to the walkway, so I didn't want anything too large or overpowering. I hope it doesn't look strange with the all the other shrubs being so tall.

 

Of course, right now, they're all about the same size, so it's all good.

[not pictured]
'Watercolor' rose

This was the one in the back flowerbed, far-left side.
It hasn't done much this year (the other rose I planted at the same time tripled in size this summer!), so I thought a new location might give it a boost.
Plus, I found a different rose to put in its place.
Anyway, it's not pictured, partly because I forgot and partly because it's not looking too great right now. If it survives, I'll get a proper picture of it next summer when it's blooming. How's that?
It's up top, as well, but on the other side of the evergreen.