Shrubs
Indigofera pendula
Indigofera amblyantha Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Papillionaceae
Supremely graceful but tough deciduous shrub from China Fountain-like stems rise from multiple trunks and are clad with fine textured leaves. In the axils of each leaf is a vertical spike of delicate blush pink pea flowers- a beautiful effect. Full sun to light shade. Blooms on new wood- may be cut back hard in early spring. Average to rich soil, regular summer water. Flowers begin in mid-June continue with new growth to frost. To 6' tall and 4' wide.
Indigofera heterantha Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Papillionaceae
Tough as nails but elegant and extremely free flowering. This pea shrub produces rose-pink flowers in continuing flushes through the growing season. To 5' tall and as wide it blooms on new growth and can be kept quite a bit smaller. Full sun to part shade in average to good soil with occasional summer water. Extremely tolerant of dry conditions when established. Deciduous in winter. Prune in early spring.
Indigofera pendula Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Papillionaceae
A wonderful whimsical shrub that amazes as it grows tall each year. The outstanding flowers
are born in the leaf axils as new growth extends. Each chain of violet pea shaped flowers
extends as it grows and these chains of flowers dangle up to 18” long from the stems.
The effect is like a whacked out floral chandelier. Flowering starts in July and continues
to October. In colder than average years this fantastic plant freezes back or to the ground and regrows from the base- very quickly. Its best adapted to average to poor well drained soils in full sun with regular water in summer. Overly rich soil seems to decrease hardiness to cold. This is a spectacular shrub that is difficult to propagate and raise in a nursery. If you see it on the availability list order it right away. To 9’ tall in a season.
Itea ilicifolia Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Iteaceae
An incredibly elegant evergreen shrub To 8' tall and 6' wide, in summer it is bedecked in 12" long fragrant chains of green flowers. The effect is of a chandelier or waterfall. Part shade to shade in a PROTECTED LOCATION such as a woodland. Excellent courtyard espalier subject. Water in summer. Blooms on the previous season's wood. Prune after flowering. Dislikes subfreezing wind- but is hardy to cold. Graceful and refined shrub.
Shrubby Jasmines Tough and indispensable
Most people associate Jasmine with vines but there are some shrubby forms that are
excellent garden plants in our climate and they often get overlooked. All shrubby
Jasmines have yellow flowers- and its a good soft yellow with no mustard overtones. They
bloom for an extremely long period from late spring to early fall. They are adaptable
to the driest locations. Even better Jasminum humile Himalayan Jasmine is adaptable
to dry shade and still blooms and performs well. Their habits range from a tightly growing dwarf shrub in Jasminum parkeri to the graceful open habit of Jasminum humile. Italian Jasmine (Jasminum fruticans) is a delightful floriferous shrub for the toughest locations enduring drought and extreme cold with aplomb. They are also valuable where deer are a problem- they seem
to be low on their dietary needs. All are cold hardy and deciduous- more of these tough and lovely shrubs should grace our gardens.
Jasminum fruticans Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Oleaceae
Italian Jasmine is a deciduous shrub native to the mountainsides bordering the Mediterranean. To 4' tall and as wide it produces copious amounts of small, fragrant yellow flowers, with an initial large flush in late spring and then continuously until fall. Full sun and well drained soil. Tolerant of drought and heat. Prune in summer. Spreads by runners that stabilize the soil. Cold Hardy. Blooms along time. Great plant, works well with Ceanothus.
Jasminum humile Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Oleaceae
Himalayan jasmine is a fine textured, graceful, deciduous shrub with lightly fragrant yellow flowers that appear all summer. Adaptable to both full sun or dark shade it is somewhat drought tolerant. You really can't go wrong with this delightful plant. The stems are bright green to shiny black in winter. To 5' tall and as wide. Adapted to life with bamboo. Delicate nodding flowers for a long season. Pretty in a woodland. Shiny black berries.
Jasminum nudiflorum ‘Aureum’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Oleaceae
Hmmm. A gold leaved Winter Jasmine. What do I do with this? I'll tell you what to do- you plant it in a woodland and let it become a little fountain 3' tall and 4' wide and you LOVE the cheerful winter flowers. Then, you plant golden Japanese Forest Grass and Hosta 'Thunderbolt' nearby and spend all summer rocking yourself with delight. May be trained as a scandant vine. Drought tolerant when established. Sun or shade. Deciduous.
Jasminum nudiflorum ‘Mystique’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Oleaceae
A stunning form of the legendarily tough Winter Jasmine with white edged leaves and stems. Smaller growing, it forms an arching clump 2' tall and only 3' wide. Cheery bright yellow flowers in mid-winter to spring. Light shade to full sun. Light watering and tolerant of dry conditions when established. Easily woven though a fence or lattice as it grows. Blooms on old wood. Prune thoughtfully in mid-spring. Handsome summer foliage plant.
Jasminum parkeri Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Oleaceae
A delightful, deciduous and very long blooming shrubby Jasmine. Profuse butter yellow flowers are lightly fragrant and appear from May until frost. Tolerates very hot and dry locations but is ammenable to regular water as well. To 1' tall and spreading to 2' wide over time. Stems root where they touch the ground. Tiny leaves appear in early May. Shear lightly to improve form and blooming wood. Native to the Himalayan foothills. Likes heat.
Juniperus ‘Daub’s Frosted’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Pinaceae
If were growing a Juniper it has to be good. This one is a winner. A prostrate growing
variety that has new growth that emerges gold/chartreuse then changes to blue green for
a great bicolor effect. Low and spreading to barely 2’ tall it reaches out to 8’ wide quickly.
Full sun and well drained soil with occasional summer water to speed growth. At its
best in winter when it virtually glows.
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.
Shrubs
Indigofera amblyantha
Plants for problem areas
Jasminum humile
Jasminum parkeri
Jasminum fruticans
