Shrubs_F-G 09

Shrubs

Grevillea juniperina ‘Molonglo’

Fabiana imbricata ‘Violaceae’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Solanaceae

AKA "Chilean Heather" this unusual shrub is actually related to tomatoes! Hardy and evergreen, in mid June to July the stems are covered with light purple tubular shaped flowers that give the impression of a honeycomb, and they smell like honey too! To 6' tall and 4' wide in 3 years. Full sun, drought tolerant. Prefers POOR soil-no amending. Prune after flowering. Hardier to cold than the white form. Deer dislike it.

Fatsia japonica ‘Spider’s Web’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Araliaceae

Dramatic twist on Japanese Aralia- leaves emerge frosted in white patterns and then fade to a more subdued green. Perfect plant for drama in the shade, appreciates rich, moist soil - part shade is alright too as long as there is no blasting sun. To 8' tall and as wide quickly. Bold leaves. In autumn a large flower spike with clusters of blossoms. Great container plant in shade. Excellent with Bamboo.

Fatsia japonica ‘Variegata’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Araliaceae

For winter, or for anywhere in the shade there is perhaps no more handsome evergreen shrub. Large evergreen leaves are marked with cream near the edges. To 8' tall and as wide in part shade or shade. Very handsome among Rhododendrons or with Bamboo. Occasional summer water. Lovely for entry ways. One of our favorite shrubs. White flowers appear in large clusters in fall against ivory white stems. Variegation increases with age. Click for a larger photo.

Feijoa sellowiana Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Myrtaceae

Pineapple Guava is a remarkable evergreen shrub. Hardy in the Maritime PNW and is best used as a specimen in a warm position. To 7' tall and 5' wide it produces small but dramatic flowers with bright red stamens and four swollen red petals that when eaten taste like fruity cotton-candy. Handome gray foliage. Full sun, regular soil and water. Rarely fruits in our climate. Gains hardiness as it ages. Good for hot aspects. Prune after flowering. Syn. Acca sellowiana.

Fremontodendron Flannel Bushes in the PNW

Flannel Bushes are excellent and showy large growing shrubs for the driest

locations. They are adapted to extreme drought in their native environs and perform best in our climate if they are strictly unwatered during the dry summer months. Irrigation and overly enriched soils dramatically decreases the cold hardiness of these spectacular shrubs- one reason they have the reputation for

tenderness. Irrigation in summer also leaves them vulnerable to root pathogens.

What they need? Strict neglect in well drained soil with NO supplemental water

during summer. Unwatered and grown under some stress they are cold hardy to

0ºF. Flannel Bushes grow extremely fast to their ultimate size- which is huge. In our cooler summers they will often be in bloom for 6 weeks or more. Remember neglect is their friend.

Fremontodendron x ‘Ken Taylor’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Sterculiaceae

A smaller selection of the spectacular Flannel Bush that grows to 8' tall and as wide very quickly. Full sun and VERY well drained soil with NO water in summer.

Evergreen shrub that is excellent trained on a hot south facing wall or hillside. Blooms on wood from the previous year. 3" orange and gold flowers appear from May to Sept. Tolerant of any amount of drought. Watering in summer will make it MUCH LESS hardy to cold. Showy.

Fremontodendron x ‘California Glory’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Sterculiaceae

Fantastically showy hybrid Flannel Bush that quickly grows to 8' x 8'. Up to 3" wide golden yellow flowers appear from late April to June. Full, hot sun and well drained soil. Flannel Bush is hardier to cold if you allow it to dry out completely during the summer. No extra water. Excellent espalier against a hot south wall. Prune after flowering. Evergreen leaves are furry. Blooms old wood. California.

Fremontodendron x ‘San Gabriel’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Sterculiaceae

A large growing and spectacular shrub that must be grown without summer water

in our climate to truly thrive. 4” Cup shaped golden yellow flowers smother the

stems for a month or more in May and June. Fast growing to 12’ tall and as wide

in average to very well drained soil with few amendments. The healithiest and

cold hardiest and longest lived plants are in poor soil with no water in summer.

Spectacular in bloom.

Gardenia radicans ‘Frostproof’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Rubiaceae

After having grown a number of “hardy” Gardenias this one has proven to be a

winner in our climate. To 2’ tall and 3’ wide in 5 years it supplies fully double corsage quality flowers with a wonderful and powerful perfume. Gardenias

can be fussy, for the most part they prefer a warm position but with protection

from afternoon sun- which causes the flowers to scorch. Light, airy soil amended

with bark and an annual application of acid loving fertilizer. The soil should retain

moisture. One easy way to accomplish this is to plant it next to a rock or paved path where the roots will be shaded- this even moisture is what they love.

Flowers appear from mid-July in Portland to early October. Established plants

ARE MUCH HARDIER to cold. This variety doesn’t require as much heat

to bloom so it is a good one for Seattle.

Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Garryaceae

Wavy Leaf Silk Tassle is a beautiful winter blooming evergreen shrub native to the Oregon coast from Lincoln Co. South. Amazing 1' long silver gray tassles from late fall last throug winter. Large shrubs have the appearance of a chandelier. To 8' tall and as wide for well drained soil in full sun with good air circulation. Some leaf burn in the coldest winters. Drought tolerant when established. Prune AFTER flowering. Excellent espalier.

Garrya x issaquahensis ‘Glasnevin Wine’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Garryaceae

A wonderful form of this cold hardy variety of Silk Tassel. Winter tassels are

burgundy red rather than the more common gray/silver. 4” tassels appear in February and are effective for months. The stems of this handsome evergreen

shrub are burgundy as well. To 8’ tall in 5 years for well drained soil in full sun to part shade. Extremely tolerant of dry conditions in summer. Light watering will speed growth. This is a derivation of a hybrid between two west coast natives

Garrya elliptica x Garrya fremontii. It is hardier to cold than the species Garrya

elliptica- so is good to try in cold gardens.

Gomphostigma virgata Zn7b (5º to 10ºF)

A wiry silver leaved shrub that takes incredibly hot and dry condtions. To 4’ tall in a single season it wreaths its branches in small white flowers in late spring through summer. May be cut back hardy in early spring. Wonderful informal shrub for borders combining well with lavender and even roses as well as ornamental grasses. Full hot sun and well drained soil - with regular irrigation or NONE. Adaptable.

Grevilleas Fascinating shrubs from Down Under

If you look up Grevilleas in nearly any book it will say that they are seldom hardy below Zn9. Its true that the majority of this gigantic genus native almost exclusively to Australia are for the most part to tender to grow in the PNW. HOWEVER, there are quite a few that are native to very cold areas of Australia and are perfectly at home in our climate. We’ve grown quite a few. They all prefer full sun, well drained soil that has NOT been amended. They even grow well in clay as long as it is not water-logged in summer. As a whole Proteaceous shrubs are adapted to poor soil, acid soil. Amendments and fertilizers should be STRICTLY avoided especially phosphorous and potassium. That having been said they are very easy to grow in our native soils and require very little

once established. Grevilleas offer pretty foliage and exotic flowers which will often

appear for up to 9 months of the year in our climate. The following varieties have

proven to be great garden shrubs. In December 2009 we recorded

7ºF on consecutive nights at our nursery. All the following varieties were undamaged by cold. They were established plants in the ground. It turns out that

there are quite a few that are hardy below 10ºF.

Grevillea australis Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Proteaceae

The MOST cold hardy Grevillea is a lovely, informal, evergreen shrub that sports intensely fragrant flowers in early spring. Small, olive green leaves are lined in orange/brown indumentum that also covers the flower buds. In mid-March to April powerfully fragrant flossy white flowers. Rounded to 4' tall and as wide, in FULL sun well drained soil w/ NO fertilizer or amendments. Drought tolerant when established. Neglect is its friend.

Grevillea x ‘Constance’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Proteaceae

This hybrid between Grevillea victorae and Grevillea juniperina has been grown in

the United States for many years. A reliable Grevillea that turns out to be fairly cold hardy as well. Established plants can weather lows just below 10ºF. Willowy

growth with sage green small leaves and a prodigious amount of orange red flowers for months on end. To 8’ tall and as wide in as many years. Full sun to light shade. Well drained rather poor rocky soils suit it best. Little water when established.

Grevillea juniperina ‘Lava Cascade’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Proteaceae

Alpine form of the Juniper Grevillea from Australia. Low growing and spreads to form an evergreen mat about 8' across, it may be pruned to be smaller. In late winter through spring and into early summer honeysuckle like flowers of glowing orange cover the plant. Full sun and well drained to sandy soil- no fertilizer. The cold hardy form of this plant. Light water. Extremely long blooming. No compost or fertilizer. Established plants are hardier to cold. AKA Grevillea juniperina ‘Low Red’. A large close-up of the flower here.

Grevillea juniperina ‘Molonglo’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Proteaceae

A vigorous and exotic evergreen ground cover for hot slopes in full sun with little summer water. This selection of the Juniper Grevillea from Australia has profuse clusters of apricot/yellow flowers beginning in March continuing through October. Sharp needle-like leaves are bright grass green year round. One of the most cold hardy Grevilleas, has been lovely in our garden for years. Large to 2' tall x 8' wide.

Xera Plants Introduction

Grevillea juniperina ‘Xera Ember’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Proteaceae

Our selection of a form of Juniper Grevillea with flowers that are more intensely

true red and a more upright and compact habit. Easy to grow in well drained soil it appreciates occasional summer water, but tolerates drought when established. To 30” tall and 4’ wide in 5 years. A perfect evergreen for slopes or dry borders. Flowers abundantly and they appear from March to October- an extremely long season of bloom. No fertilizer or compost.

Xera Plants Introduction

Grevillea juniperina ‘Orange Zest’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Proteaceae

Our seedling selection of an upright form of Juniper Spider Flower that has profuse clear orange flowers for months beginning in late winter. This variety

survived 7ºF with no damage during December 2009. Fine foliage is grass green and handsome year round. Adapted to poor soils in full sun to light shade

with excellent drainage. Extremely drought tolerant when established requiring no summer water to thrive. To 3’ tall and 4’ wide in 5 years. Avoid fertilizers and

compost- Grevilleas grow best in unamended native soil. Flowers are loved by

hummingbirds.

Grevillea x ‘Poorinda Queen’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Proteaceae

A very cold-hardy Grevillea with deep green small foliage and amazingly long season of bloom. Pendant spider-like flowers of intense apricot appear from late February through October (yeah, a long time). Large evergreen shrub for poor soil (alright in clay or sand). To 8' tall and arching as wide. Tip prune to shape, reduce size. NO FERTILIZERS OR AMENDMENTS- virgin soil. Little water needed. Full sun. Deer resistant. Grows quickly.

Grevillea victorae Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Proteaceae

From the high mountains of Australia one of the most handsome and exotic shrubs that will grow in our climate. Fast growing evergreen to 6' tall and as wide

in 5 years. Silvery gray leaves and from September to April rust colored drooping buds that open to orange flowers. Full sun and NO FERTILIZER, NO COMPOST- virgin soil that is well drained is best. Protected location. BLOOMS ALL WINTER. Hummingbirds.

Grevillea victorae ‘Marshall Olbricht’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Proteaceae

Spectacular evergreen shrub with lovely small gray leaves and stems and from rust orange buds flowers that open to light orange. Blooms nearly year round when established. Fast growing to 8' tall and as wide. Best in unammended loam soil in full sun with only occasional water. Works in clay or sand as well. Proteacous= no fertilizer or compost. Maybe also be G.v. var leptoneura. AKA 'Marshall's Seedling'-Western Hills.

Grevillea victorae ‘Murray Queen’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Proteaceae

An exceptional selection of an exceptional shrub. The new leaves on this form emerge with brown and silver indumentum and the leaves then change to a warm green. Chains of flowers with rust orange buds open to light orange from late summer to early summer. Yes 8 MONTHS. To 5' tall and as wide. Full sun, well drained soil. Occasional water and NO fertilizer. Nice. Evergreen. Protected location. A great picture of this fantastic bush is here.

Shrubs play a vital role as the backbone of Pacific Northwest gardens. Our winters are mild enough to enjoy a multitude of choices. Evergreen to deciduous they offer so much from profuse bloom to handsome structure.