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.
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.
Fothergilla ‘Blue Shadow’ P.P.15,490 Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Hamamelidaceae
An extraordinarily handsome "new" shrub for gardens with the bluest leaves of all Witch Alders. 'Blue Shadow' is a compact growing deciduous shrub with rounded leaves of TRUE blue. In April 2" ivory bottlebrush flowers decorate the tips. Tolerates full sun w/ water to light shade. To 5' tall and 3' wide in time. Fall color is a vigorous purple/red/orange display. Regular water. By far the best Fothergilla we have ever seen, elegant, handsome.
Fremontodendron californica Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Sterculiaceae
The spectacular "Flannel Bush" from the Sierra Nevada foothills in California. A very fast growing evergreen shrub to 9' tall and 9' wide with showy 3" golden cup shaped flowers from May until frost. Hardy to cold in a well drained site in full sun with no summer water. Great against a warm south facing wall. Well drained soil, tolerates any amount of drought. Prune after flowering has ended. Seedlings from the far north part of its range.
Fremontodendron californica ‘Cut Leaf Selection’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Sterculiaceae
Our selection of a Flannel Bush from one of the coldest areas of its native range.
The foliage on this selection is deeply indented. Beautiful bowl-shaped flowers of rich gold appear in late spring through early summer. Fast growing to 12’ tall and as wide. Easily kept smaller as an espaliaer on a warm southfacing wall. Flowers appear on wood from the previous season. Full sun, well drained soil and little water during summer.
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.
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.
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, exotic 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 ammended. 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 ferilizers should be STRICTLY avoided especially phosphorous and potassium. That having been saide 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 our garden.
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 juniperina ‘Low Red Form’ 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.
Grevillea juniperina ‘Molonglo’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Proteaceae
A vigorous and exotic evergreen groundcover 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.
Grevillea victorae Zn7b (10º to 15ºF) 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 with 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. Australian alpine plant. 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.
Feijoa (Acca) sellowiana
Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’ as a clipped hedge.
Grevillea juniperina ‘Low Form’
Grevillea victorae ‘Marshall Olbricht’
Fatsia japonica ‘Variegata’
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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Grevillea juniperina ‘Molonglo’
Grevillea australis
