| Abelia
x grandiflora ‘Edward Goucher’ Glossy Abelia
Dark green, glossy, little leaves make a dense, well-formed shrub 3-5' in height. An abundance of pale lavender-pink flowers appear in July and August for added interest. The Abelia specie “grandiflora” is deciduous and truly hardy. Abelias thrive in well-drained soil enriched with leaf mold in a protected spot.
Plant three feet apart Zone 6–9 full sun to part shade
grandiflora ‘Sherwood’ Dwarf Glossy Abelia
A dwarf form of Abelia at 3', ‘Sherwood’ has a dense compact habit. Its little white bell-shaped flowers are flushed pink in loose terminal panicles in July and August. Just as tidy and shiny as can be, try this dwarf Abelia in your sunny perennial border where some modest architectural definition is needed.
Plant three feet apart Zone 5–9 full sun to part shade
Berberis
thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’ Dwarf Red Barberry
Reddish-purple foliage on this classic dwarf Barberry consists of small leaves on arching spiny stems at 2-3'. Insignificant yellow flowers appear in mid-spring and are followed by tiny red fruit. Here’s a shrub that handles most any kind of soil as long as it’s not waterlogged. Its dense habit, striking mahogany foliage, and ability to blend well with a host of perennials and other shrubs, accounts for its consistent popularity.
Plant three feet apart Zone 4–9 full sun to part shade
Buddleia
davidii ‘Black Knight’ Butterfly Bush
An extra heavy producer, this deciduous shrub has silvery foliage and rich deep purple-black flowers attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees on dense spikes that bloom from July to fall. We recommend cutting back to 6–10" each spring before it starts new growth. While it breaks dormancy late each spring, once started by warm weather, it will grow very fast from 5–6'.
Plant 36 inches apart Zone 6–9 full sun
davidii ‘Honeycomb’ Butterfly Bush
Delicate, yellow flower clusters cover this variety from July to September at 4–6'. Adjacent to the ‘Black Knight’ in the nursery, the color contrast of yellow to darkest violet was striking and seemed to please butterflies as well.
Plant 36 inches apart Zone 6–9 full sun
davidii ‘Nanho Purple’ Butterfly Bush
Graceful, nodding spikes of purple flowers appear on 4–5' stems in July and then through the summer. Outstanding for its spreading (up to 6'), dwarf habit, it has pleasing, silver-green foliage. Blooms are slightly fragrant. Popular and easy to grow, it is not unusual to see Tiger Swallowtails swarming around it on a warm afternoon. ‘Nanho Purple’ can take heavy pruning in the spring before new growth appears.
Plant 36 inches apart Zone 6–9 full sun
davidii ‘Pink Delite’ Butterfly Bush
An unending source of cut flowers and garden beauty, the ‘Pink Delite’ Butterfly Bush, like our other varieties, blooms abundantly the same year as planted and is easy to grow with little or no care. The pink flower spikes grow up to 15" long on stems from 5–6' tall. It has a pronounced fragrance and the usual swarm of butterflies.
Plant 36 inches apart Zone 6–9 full sun
davidii ‘Royal Red’ Butterfly Bush
A deep wine-red in color, the blooms of ‘Royal Red’ appear from July to September on this fountain-shaped 4–6' tall Butterfly Bush. All our varieties thrive in average to moist, well-drained soils and, of course, attract many varieties of butterflies. Striking combined with the blue of Caryopteris.
Plant 36 inches apart Zone 6–9 full sun
davidii ‘White Ball’ Dwarf Butterfly Bush
As a not-so-big white Butterfly Bush, try 3-4' ‘White Ball’ for a long season of sweet blooms. It is adaptable to the border where this little woody perennial will not overwhelm surrounding herbaceous perennials with its more modest size while blooming from mid-July-September.
Plant 36 inches apart Zone 6–9 full sun
davidii ‘White Profusion’ Butterfly Bush
A fine, summer-long bloomer that produces hundreds of pure, snowy-white flower spikes, beautifully displayed against green foliage. Attractive seed heads follow the flowers and extend the period of interest. ‘White Profusion’ will also handle heavy pruning in early spring before new growth appears. Grows to 5–6', blooming from July–September.
Plant 36 inches apart Zone 6–9 full sun
Caryopteris
clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’ Blue Beard
A low-growing, late-blooming shrub that reaches a height of only 2–3', with clusters of deepest dark blue flowers from August through September. The foliage is lance-shaped and silvery-green. Makes an eye-popping show when combined the rich purple-black plumes of Buddleia ‘Black Knight’ and the peachy-pink fall Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield’.
Plant 24 inches apart Zone 4–9 full sun
clandonensis ‘First Choice’ Blue Beard
This new compact form of Caryopteris has deep inky-blue buds that open to large cobalt-blue flowers which are profuse on erect stems from late August to early October. Best of all, the rounded compact habit means ‘First Choice’ requires little pruning and won't have the floppy habit some cultivars exhibit. Pest and disease-free, it reaches about 36" at maturity.
Plant 24 inches apart Zone 5–9 full sun
clandonensis ‘Longwood Blue’ Blue Beard
This sky-blue, heavily-flowering shrub with its silvery foliage is a color rarely seen in the fall garden where it blooms to about 42" from late August to early October. This selection is desirable also for the quantity of blooms on young plants the first year. Butterflies love both our varieties. Cut flowers make a long-lasting indoor display. Prune back to live wood in early spring just before new growth starts.
Plant 24 inches apart Zone 4–9 full sun
Fothergilla
major ‘Mt. Airy’
Fothergilla is a group of deciduous, spring-flowering shrubs known for fall color and fragrant flowers. We have chosen to grow ‘Mt. Airy’ because of its vigorous growth habit (to 5'), lovely autumn color, dependable cold hardiness, and the bonus of those white flowers that open as leaves emerge in spring. Fall color is most brilliant where this shrub is grown in full sun. Give it the moist, peaty, acid soil it prefers for best performance.
Plant three feet apart Zone 5–9 full sun to part shade
Hydrangea
aborescens ‘Annabelle’ Garden Hydrangea
The classic brilliantly white “mop-head” blooms of ‘Annabelle’ are evident from May-July, and can be 12" in diameter. The shrub’s shape is definitely a rounded mound, broader than high at maturity. Figure the height at 3-5'. Try it with Spiraeas for a real summer show. Deciduous ‘Annabelle’ can be cut to within 6" of the ground in late winter.
Plant five feet apart Zone 3–9 full sun to part shade
macrophylla ‘Blue Wave’ Lacecap Hydrangea
This hardy Hydrangea has the distinct flower heads to which the term “Lacecap” refers: a small cluster of deep blue flowers in the center with a ring of large, flat flowers around the outside. ‘Blue Wave’ has wide, flat blue blooms in July and August. The bright green leaves are shiny, wide, and rounded. Hardy and tough, the blue flowers turn a parchment pink hue as cool autumn weather arrives. This long bloomer reaches 6' in height and can be 12' across and is not fussy about soil as long as it has even moisture.
Plant five feet apart Zone 6–9 full sun to part shade
macrophylla ‘Glowing Embers’ Garden Hydrangea
The blooms of ‘Glowing Embers’ are aptly named. The fat round flower heads are first tinged with an orange-red, then seem to be engulfed with fiery crimson that lasts from July into the fall. The glossy bright green leaves form a tidy 3-4' shrub with flowers close to the leaves.
Plant five feet apart Zone 6–9 full sun to part shade
macrophylla ‘Mariesii Variegata’ Lacecap Hydrangea
The unusual white and green variegated leaves and round shape of this Lacecap Hydrangea are striking at 4-6' and will surely brighten a semi-shady corner. Add the lovely blue June-July Lacecap blooms, and we understand ‘Mariessi Variegata’s’ popularity.
Plant five feet apart Zone 6–9 full sun to part shade
macrophylla ‘Nigra’ Garden Hydrangea
An old variety of the important shrub utilized by perennial gardeners, ‘Nigra’ has the classic blue or pink mop-headed Hydrangea blooms, depending on the neutral or acid nature of the soil (acidic soil promotes a more blue coloration). But, as its name implies, the shiny black stems on new spring and summer growth are attractive in themselves, and serve to show off the large globular flower heads. At 6' or so, ‘Nigra’ is a fine choice for year-round beauty in the landscape.
Plant five feet apart Zone 5–9 full sun to part shade
macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’ Garden Hydrangea
We are growing this old-fashioned 6' Hydrangea for its deep blue showy flower heads and the usefulness of its flowers when cut fresh all summer long for indoors, or dried for later on. ‘Nikko Blue’ is tolerant of some shade and handles coastal conditions with ease, as most Hydrangeas do. As soil acidity increases, the blue color is more intense; in neutral soil the flower globes can be both pink and blue.
Plant five feet apart Zone 6–9 full sun to part shade
macrophylla ‘Pia’ Dwarf Garden Hydrangea
Flower heads are a rich, rose pink and can be 4-5" across on ‘Pia’. This Hydrangea is unique for its very dwarf, compact form. It grows from 18-24" tall and about 24" wide with lovely rich green leaves, so you can see it has many possibilities within the perennial garden, or can even be grown in a container. It will maintain its color in all soil types, staying pink even in acidic soils. Blooms appear in June and July, and continue well into the summer. Prefers partial sun with rich, moist well-drained soil.
Plant three feet apart Zone 6–9 full sun to part shade
paniculata ‘Tardiva’ Garden Hydrangea
For late summer, fall, and winter interest in the landscape the elegant, lacy elongated white flower heads of ‘Tardiva’ are simply beautiful amid the changing foliage of our Maryland autumn. The pure white panicles open from August-October at the ends of the leafy stems, and turn a delicate buff color that lasts all winter. ‘Tardiva’ handles most any soil except the wettest or the driest, flowers well in full sun to dappled shade, and can grow to 10-12' if left unpruned. Try it in combination with the deep blue of Aconitum and pink Begonia grandis, or accented by purple Buddleia or blue Caryopteris.
Plant six feet apart Zone 4–8 full sun to part shade
quercifolia ‘Snow Queen’ Oakleaf Hydrangea
Take note — this may be the best shrub around for its long list of desirable traits. Native to the Southeast, it is prized for its oakleaf-shape foliage and its strong, upright panicles of pure white flowers that appear in late June-July. The leathery dark green leaves handle summer sun, heavy wind and rain with ease. The flowers age to tones of purple as the leaves turn russet red in fall. Then the cinnamon bark of the stems exfoliates as it ages through the snows of winter. For dried arrangements the mature flowers are exceptional. Its growth is compact, but reaches 5-7' in both directions in 6 years, and matures to 10-12'. It handles full sun to some shade with no problem, preferring moist, but well-drained soil.
Plant six feet apart Zone 5–9 full sun to part shade
Itea
virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ Virginia Sweetspire
Native Itea is gaining popularity for its usefulness in all sorts of landscaping situations whether massed by a pond or stream, or in a border as a companion to a host of perennials. ‘Henry’s Garnet’ has fragrant 6" long white racemes in June and July in good quantity. The rich green leaves make a nice rounded shape 4-5' high and 6' wide. Its foliage in the fall is dependably brilliant reddish-purple in color before fulfilling its deciduous life cycle. This shrub is easy to grow handling shade or sun, and wet or dry soils.
Plant five feet apart Zone 5–9 full sun to full shade
virginica Dwarf Virginia Sweetspire
The arching shoots of native ‘Little Henry’ bear the same fragrant white bottlebrush blooms as ‘Henry’s Garnet’, but this handy little deciduous shrub reaches 2 1/2' tall at best. Tidy in shape, the shiny dark green leaves turn brilliantly red-purple in fall. As a foil for competing perennial colors in the border, for foliage contrast, or massed on its own, ‘Little Henry’ is an alternative worth considering.
Plant three feet apart Zone 5–8 full sun to full shade
Spiraea
japonica ‘Little Princess’ Dwarf Bridal Wreath
Many clusters of pale pink, flat-topped flowers are carried above small dark green leaves in June and July, and intermittently into early fall. This handy dwarf deciduous shrub has a compact 2' height that could be the anchor in your small perennial border.
Plant two feet apart Zone 4–8 full sun
japonica ‘Magic Carpet’ Variegated Bridal Wreath
While the 24" height is a plus, the chartreuse to light yellow leaf color of ‘Magic Carpet’ will add an unusual color accent to the perennial border, or massed on its own. Vivid orange-red new stems with deep rose pink flowers in June-July complete the vibrant combination of colors that will drift through the landscape and combine nicely with a host of perennials.
Plant three feet apart Zone 4–8 full sun
‘Neon Flash’ Bridal Wreath
In any decent garden soil ‘Neon Flash’ will be a dependable long bloomer in June and July, and then off and on until fall. Its blooms are a rich dark rosy pink color, which contrasts nicely with the dark green tidy foliage. While preferring fertile, well-drained soil, don’t let the soil dry out through the drought we so often experience in the mid-Atlantic region during the growing season. Expect this upright deciduous shrub to reach about 3-4' in height. ‘Neon Flash’ is trouble-free, easy to grow, and long-lived.
Plant three feet apart Zone 4–8 full sun
Weigela
florida ‘French Lace’
This 3-4' deciduous shrub has arresting rose red nodding tubular flowers in May-June. But like so many shrubs of special interest to perennial gardeners, it’s the variegated foliage that offers a striking presence in the landscape all season long. Leaves are green with bright yellow margins. What a background for those red flowers!
Plant three feet apart Zone 4–8 full sun
florida ‘Wine & Roses’ (‘Alexandra’)
Weigelas are primarily grown for their trumpet-shaped flowers that appear in May and June, and then sporadically through the summer. ‘Wine & Roses’ has deep rose-pink 1-2" long funnel flowers. When combined with the 4-5' dark burgundy wine-colored foliage of this particular Weigela, gardeners have a deciduous shrub that provides interest all season. Provided fertile, well-drained soil, lots of sun, and routine pruning of dead branches after flowering, ‘Wine & Roses’ will work in a mass, or as a spectacular color contrast in the border.
Plant three feet apart Zone 4–8 full sun
Yucca
filamentosa Adam’s Needle
As a bold accent in groups or in the border, evergreen Yucca is unsurpassed. The sword-like blue-green leaves of this native, with thin curling threads on the leaf margins, are 3–4' high and are of interest all year long. In July and August, very showy and fragrant, creamy-white, bell-shaped flower spikes rise on stiff stems to 5–6'. Sun and drought-tolerant, its foliage is a great contrast to a host of finer-textured plants from Coreopsis to Sedums.
Plant two feet apart Zone 5–9 full sun
filamentosa ‘Bright Edge’ Variegated Adam’s Needle
Thriving in infertile, dry, sandy soil, as well as being reliably hardy, Yuccas continue to gain popularity throughout our area. Couple these attributes with the striking beauty of variegated ‘Bright Edge’ and we understand this evergreen perennial’s success as a landscape fixture. The sword-like leaves are rich green with a decidedly bright yellow leaf edge. The height is 36", and the same lovely white flower bells rise on strong stalks in July and August.
Plant two feet apart Zone 5–9 full sun
filamentosa ‘Color Guard’ Variegated Adam’s Needle
Truly stunning! ‘Color Guard’ has stiff green sword-like leaves with a wide bright yellow center, and we mean bright! Our trial crops were gorgeous close up or at a distance, where visitors would gravitate to that brightest sunny yellow blast of color. Add a compact and dwarf habit at 2'-3', superb drought-tolerance, deer resistance, an evergreen quality, and a preference for plain sandy soil, and ‘Color Guard’ becomes irresistible. The white flowers in July-August on strong stems are a delightful after-thought.
Plant two feet apart Zone 5–9 full sun
flaccida ‘Golden Sword’ Variegated Adam’s Needle
As useful for bold architectural emphasis in the landscape as Yucca filamentosa, ‘Golden Sword’ offers creamy yellow and green variegated leaves with a slightly more relaxed habit. Plan on all the attributes common to our other Yuccas plus a lovely coral winter foliage color at about 30-36". Creamy white fragrant flowers on tall spikes in July-August are a given.
Plant two feet apart Zone 5–9 full sun
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