Published: Thursday, April 29, 2010

By Denise Woodring
GreenThumb Garden Consulting & Design

My last article (click here to read) was about choosing the right annual and perennial plants. This article covers new and exciting shrubs and trees to consider for your landscape. Each year the nurseries and growers introduce new plant varieties that provide interesting plant choices for our landscapes. You might want to consider one of these new plants this year while you are shopping at nurseries and garden centers this spring.

'Delta Jazz' Crape myrtle - This is a brand new small tree or shrub that will be available for purchase across the Southeast this spring. This crape myrtle was developed by Mississippi State University and will be sold through the Southern Living Plant Collection. 'Delta Jazz' has maroon or burgundy colored foliage and the leaves do not scorch in the summer heat. The foliage is accented by medium pink flowers. 'Delta Jazz' grows 6 - 10 feet high and 4 - 5 feet high. It will grow in full sun or partial shade.

'Limelight' Hydrangea paniculata -An exciting hardy Hydrangea from Holland, 'Limelight' is an easy to grow plant with reliable flowering and flower color regardless of soil pH. The flower heads are of good size, ranging from 6 to 12 inches. The blooms start off chartreuse that is almost white, and then change to bright, light green. The flowers start turning pink as fall approaches. 'Limelight' grows to 6 to 8 feet tall and wide in a mounding habit. It will grow in full sun or partial shade and is hardy in zones 3 - 9.

'Mardi Gras' Abelia x grandiflora - A semi-evergreen compact shrub with variegated foliage. In spring, the new growth is tipped in bright pink which changes to a mound of creamy white. 'Mardi Gras' has fragrant pink flowers from early summer to fall. It grows in full sun or partial shade. 'Mardi Gras' grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide and is hardy in zones 6 to 9.

'Sky Pointer™' Japanese Holly, Ilex crenata - This upright, evergreen shrub will be useful to many homeowners who need a smaller upright evergreen. 'Sky Pointer™' grows 4 to 5 feet tall. It has shiny, dark green leaves with an elegant vertical habit. 'Sky Pointer™' is hardy in zones 6 - 7. Plant 'Sky Pointer™' in sun or partial shade. It is easily grown and maintains a columnar shape without pruning. It also makes a great container specimen.

'Soft Serve®' False Cypress, Chamaecyparispisfera - A compact, evergreen, False Cypress with graceful, soft, fern-like branches. 'Soft Serve®' False Cypress is a great substitute for Dwarf Alberta Spruce. It has soft, bright green leaves flecked with silver blue underneath, and an elegant soft texture. 'Soft Serve®' grows in an upright, conical habit. It grows 6 - 10 feet high and is hardy in zones 5 - 7. 'Soft Serve®' is a slow growing evergreen that does not require any pruning.

(Summersweet) 'Vanilla Spice', Clethraanifolia - This shrub has attractive, glossy, dark green leaves. It has extra large pure white flowers that are very fragrant and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. 'Vanilla Spice™' offers a wonderful fragrance during the late summer months. This deciduous shrub grows 5 - 6 feet tall and is topped by 10 - 12 inch flower spikes that bloom in late summer. Homeowners who have wet areas in their landscape may want to consider 'Vanilla Spice™' because it can take wet feet. It grows best in full sun to partial shade, and is hardy in zones 4 - 9.

These plants and many others give homeowners new planting options for their landscape. Our beautiful April weather has given many of us spring fever. Remember to consider the plant qualities and requirements before purchasing. Plants have specific sun, water and soil requirements. Keep these in mind when adding new plants in your landscape. One of the first steps for gardening success is selecting the right plant for the location. If you are unsure about what plant to select, I can help. I can help you assess your landscape needs and save you time and money by minimizing extra trips to the nurseries.