Daphne x rollsdorfii ‘Wilhelm Schacht’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Thymelaceae
Small but handsome evergreen Daphne that can bloom in our climate up to 5 months. Dapper leaves on a compact shrub to 20" tall and as wide. In mid-spring and continuing sporadically until fall clusters of purple flowers that are intensely fragrant- best smelled up close. Full sun to light shade in WELL DRAINED soil. Occasional summer water- but not soggy in summer. DEERPROOF. Small applications of all purpose fertilizer in spring.
Dichroa febrifuga Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Hydrangeaceae
A close relative of Hydrangeas from China that forms a compact nearly evergreen shrub. Glossy leaves make way for umbels of small blue flowers that are followed by brilliant blue fruit on this form. To 3' tall and as wide. Loses leaves in cold winters, can resprout from the base after VERY cold winters. Full sun (but not reflected heat) to high overhead shade in rich soil with regular water. Berries last for months.
Drimys lanceolata Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Winteraceae
'Mountain Pepper' or 'Winter's Bark' is the name given to this handsome evergreen shrub that is native to Tasmania. To about 6' tall and 4' wide in our climate it has dramatic red stems that are a great foil to the deep green leaves. In early spring small chartreuse/white flowers followed by black berries. Full sun in a warm position. Regular water in summer. Looks excellent year round.
Drimys lanceolata ‘Suzette’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Winteraceae
A seldom seen variegated selection of Winter's Bark with leaves attractively flecked and edged in cream. Very effective against the deep green leaves and claret red stems. To 6' tall and 4' wide in five years. Full sun to very light shade in well drained soil. Occasional summer water. Small green flowers in late spring sometimes result in black berries. May be hardier to cold than we list. Syn. Tasmannia l. 'Suzette'.
Eleagnus pungens ‘Hosobu Fukurin’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Eleagnaceae
Don't forget Winter! This is one of the most striking of all evergreen shrubs and is an old variety from Japan. To 6' tall and 4' wide in 5 years it bears leaves strikingly outlinged in cream/gold. The stems are tan/gold and are a striking complement. Easily grown in full sun to light shade. Prune in late spring. Fragrant small flowers appear in fall. Loses some leaves in cold winters, spring recovery is rapid. Regular summer water. Good soil.
Erica arborea ‘Albert’s Gold’ Zn6b (-5º to 0ºF) Ericaceae
Cold hardy form of Tree Heath with new foliage that emerges vivid chartreuse green. Slow growing at first it gains speed as it ages and in several years will attain 4' tall by 3' tall with an ulitmate height of 12'. Small white flowers emerge with the new growth in spring. Full sun and well drained soil. Water until you see new growth, drought tolerant when established. Long lived shrub of Mediterranean origin. Handsome year round.
Erica cinerea ‘Atrosanguinea’ Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Ericaceae
A lovely summer blooming heath with masses of brilliant magenta flowers for months on end-May to Aug. Forms a bun to 20" tall and as wide. Shear back by at least 3" in early spring to encourage more blooming wood. Full sun to part shade in moist but well drained soil. Must have REGULAR water to establish during its first summer. Mulch with fine bark. Plant 1" deeper than the crown to establish faster. Beautiful with Hebe 'Quicksilver'.
Erica cinerea ‘CD Eason’ Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Ericaceae
A classic summer blooming heath with flowers of such a vibrant magenta-pink that they nearly vibrate. Deep green foliage forms a small evergreen shrub to about 9" tall and 20" wide. Vivid flowers are born from June until September. Shear back by one third after flowering has ended. Full sun, well drained soil and REGULAR summer water. Exellent with Zauschneria 'Mattole Select' for bold mid and late summer color.
Erica cinerea ‘Golden Drop’ Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Ericaceae
Sweet little summer heath with golden foliage in summer and taking on hints of rust and orange in the colder months. In summer light purple flowers. Full sun and well drained soil. Mulch after planting and water regularly (once a week) until fall rains arrive. Excellent plant for adding punch to a garden. Works well with ornamental grasses and Hebes. Shear after bloom to maintain a compact habit. 10" tall and 18" wide.
Erica cinerea ‘P.S. Patrick’ Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Ericaceae
Smokey purple flowers make P.S. Patrick one of our favorite summer heaths. Deep green foliage and long flowering spikes on a somewhat upright small plant to 10" tall and 18" wide. Full sun and well drained soil with REGULAR summer water. Combines wonderfully with Hebe glaucophylla and Penstemon 'Margarita BOP'. Flowers June to September. Shear plant back by one third after flowering to maintain density.
Erica cinerea ‘Velvet Night’ Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Ericaceae
A very favorite summer heath with some of the darkest flowers of the genus. Deep green needle-like leaves are handome year round and in summer profuse beetroot purple/black flowers June through September. Full sun and well drained soil. REGULAR summer water. Shear off one third of the growth after blooming has ended to encourage a compact habit and more blooming stems. Somewhat upright to 10" tall and 2' wide.
Erica cinerea ‘Windlebrook’ Zn5a (-15º to -10ºF) Ericaceae
A great summer blooming heath with brilliant gold and orange foliage that remains stunning year round. Good low spreading, twisty habit to about 14" tall and 20" wide. Summer blooms of light purple. Full sun to light shade in well drained soil with REGULAR summer irrigation. Foliage has added orange tints in winter. Shear lightly in early spring to maintain a compact habit. Mulch after planting with fine ground bark.
Erica x stuartii ‘Irish Orange’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Ericaceae
Tough, sturdy, summer flowering hybrid Heath that offers beautiful foliage and flowers and a compact habit. New growth emerges orange in spring before changing to green. In June through Sept. profuse lilac-pink urn-shaped flowers. Excellent in full sun to light shade on a slope in ammended soil with regular summer water. Combines wonderfully with Hebe p. 'Quicksilver'. Shear to the base of the flower spike after bloom to encourage density
Erica terminalis Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Ericaceae
An unusual tree heather that grows to about 6' tall and 4' wide. Needle-like foliage turns a pleasant rust red in cold weather and then back to green in the warmer seasons. In summer pink bell-shaped flowers appear at the tips of the branches and spent flowers are easily brushed off. Full sun and well drained soil. A classic shrub that was first planted extensively around Craftsmen style houses in the early 20th Century.
Erica x veitchii ‘Pink Joy’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Ericaceae
Odd thing about 'Pink Joy' is that the flowers are only briefly pink when they first emerge, otherwise this Tree Heath is an AMAZING garden shrub. To nearly 4' tall and as wide (allow space for it to grow) in full sun and well drained soil- occasional water in summer. In late spring a profusion of white flowers transforms the plant- retains old flowers which remain a handsome rust color. New growth emerges vivid green. Great garden shrub.
Erythrina x bidwillii Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Papillionaceae
A subtropical plant that has been successfully grown in the PNW for many years, dying to the ground in winter and resprouting and blooming by summer. Artful, pointed leaves and in July BRILLIANT red spikes of pea flowers up to 18" long. Incredible die-back shrub for well drained soil in a HOT position. Plant slightly deep and MULCH HEAVILY the first year. Tops will die back in winter. Regular water, full sun. To 3' x 3'.
Escallonia bifida ‘Compact Form’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Escalloniaceae
Very handsome and easy to grow, this is the compact form of the hard to find white flowering Escallonias. Dapper evergreen hedge to 6' tall and 5' wide and may be sheared.White flowers all summer. Excellent around a lawn where one intends to play croquet and sip tea at a table covered with perfect white linen.Tolerant of drought but growth speeds with a little summer water. Prune after flowering.
Escallonia x exoniensis ‘Gold Brian’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Escalloniaceae
Unusual Escallonia with golden foliage and bright pink flowers. To 4' tall and 5' wide in two years this evergreen shrub may be pruned to any desired shape. Part shade to full sun with protection during the hottest hours. Pink blooms in May-July and sporadically when it feels like it. Occasional summer water. A brilliant clipped hedge, literally.Try not to say "brain", I dare you. May be cut back very hard in spring and will quickly rejuvinate.
Escallonia ‘Lou Allen’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Escalloniaceae
FANTASTIC compact form of Escallonia that grows relatively slowly to only 2' tall and 3' wide. Great low hedge or small scale groundcover. Very formal looking. Medium pink flowers appear in early summer and sporadically throughout the year.Tough low maintenence shrub that is drought tolerant when established. Evergreen. Full sun to very light shade in average soil. No pruning necessary- it just grows like this. Cool.
Eleagnus ‘Hosobu Fukurin’
‘Alberts’ Gold’ (pictured on the left) is nearly identical to E.’Pink Joy’. Both tree heathers have new growth that emerges brilliant chartreuse. In mid-spring they bear copious amounts of small white flowers which hang on into summer and change to a handsome rust color. They make excellent drought tolerant shrubs for hillsides or as the backbone of a border. They are also a good for a taller element in a heather garden and great with conifers.
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
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