Sunday, March 16, 2008

Shrub Shopping List Haunts My Dreams

It's spring "break" here in Nebraska (I get no break, hence the "), and so I've finalized my wish list for this year, which may change once the nurseries open and I succumb to local supply and sudden crushes that keep me up at night--this actually happens--I am sick--help me. These will be my big ticket items, especially as I'll need 7 arctic fire dogwoods which will line the front sidewalk--I might have to buy small with the dogs to save money. Yes, I took a tape measure outside and calculated. Yes, I measured the size of each bed. Yes, I know where every one of these shrubs will go. Yes, I am methodical. Time to stop planting so many perennials, step back, and think about the core architecture while there's still time.

Cornus alba ‘Ivory Halo’
Cornus alternifolia ‘Golden Shadows’
Cornus stolonifera 'Arctic Fire' (x7)
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Little Honey' (x4)
Itea virginica 'Sprich' Little Henry (I've heard it suckers and is marginal in zone 5)
Juniperus horizontalis 'Limeglow' (x3)
Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Golden'
Spiraea thunbergii ‘Ogon’ Mellow Yellow (x2--need more)
Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur’
Viburnum dentatum. 'Christom’ Blue Muffin
Viburnum trilobum 'Bailey Compact' American Cranberrybush
Weigela florida 'Fine Wine'

[I'm editing my post--it just occured to me that the Itea, 3rd pic below, looks like a tampon shrub, or a penis shrub (a collection of ancient Roman marble statue peni?), or something like that. Anyone else? C'mon....]






15 comments:

WiseAcre said...

Plans are made to be broken. Now what is that 3rd photo? I have plans to break.

What kind of Nebraska resident are you? No corn in your foundation planting?

Benjamin Vogt said...

That third one is the Itea.

Actually, thanks to a tip from Nan Ondra, I've got ornamental corn seeds I'll be planting this year: Japonica Ornamental Maize(found at Terratorial Seed Co.). I just had to, you know--but I am Minnesotan, not a Nebraskan. I'm just here for a spell.

Unknown said...

We understand...I have started a list, but the nice thing is, I did some work for a nursery operator and said I'd take my pay in plants. And he has a lot of shrubs and trees, and very good prices...we just need spring to come along, though.

Anonymous said...

My wife uses the term "white cigar" like the ones in the bottom of her purse.

Try pairing the Spiraea 'Ogon' a purple Siberian Iris like Cesar's Brother.

Anonymous said...

Love your list! Arctic Fire is one of my favorites and I think I must try one of those 'white cigar' plants!

Kylee Baumle said...

Ben, you are hilarious! I always say the amaryllis remind me of penises when they're first putting up flower stalks. Oh boy. I just said that in public. *blush*

Benjamin Vogt said...

Jodi--That's a sweet deal. I need to connect with my local nurseries a bit more on the personal level.
Les--White cigar it is--much more classy term, methinks. I've got some of those iris in another part of the garden, have yet to see it bloom, but I think you're right about the combo.
Layanee--About how big does arctic fire get for you, and how fast is it? Also, how wet does it like it?
Kylee--Yes. In public. You can't come back and delete your comment now and try to hide it, either.

Susan Hagen said...

Ben, that sounds like a great selection of shrubs. One thing you might want to consider is that for each of those varieties of viburnum you will need either a different cultivar or the species for cross-pollination if you want them to bear fruit. Somewhere on the GardenWeb forums, probably Shrubs, there is the definitive treatise on viburnums and what will pollinate which.

Benjamin Vogt said...

Hey Susan--I'll have to go find this link, because honestly, this is something that confuses me, even though I knew this would be an issue. Thanks for the heads up.

Susan Hagen said...

Ben,
I forgot to say that I love viburnums and other berrying shrubs. Here's a bit from my blog about the pollination issue with a link to the GardenWeb threads:
http://throughthehedge.blogspot.com/2007/06/pimping-for-my-plants.html

Benjamin Vogt said...

Thanks, Susan. I'm just beginning to experiment with fruting shrubs--elderberry, viburnum, dogwood--and yesterday think I finally got a handle on what viburnums to pair up. I'm gonna go check out your link.

Frances, said...

Like wiseacre said, be prepared to substitute, unless you want to mail order, then you will receive tiny sticks. The winterthur viburnum is the pollinator for the blue muffin and also one called branywine and cardinal candy from Wayside. Not sure about the tribolum, though. To save dough, maybe get three big guys, whatever is the best deal and the rest smaller, or later after your finances have healed from this big purchase.
Frances at Faire Garden

Benjamin Vogt said...

Frances--I thought I heard Winterthur was a pollinator for those others, but I've heard conflicting reports. If it really is, this saves me a bit of angst. I sure appreciste you're stopping by and reading so much, and leaving such good comments!

Anonymous said...

Plant the itea - we have Henry's Garnet - they are our favorite shrubs in our half acre landscape. Lovely arching form, lovely fall color, blooms - perfect! You really WILL like them if you plant them.

Benjamin Vogt said...

Thanks, Kim! What zone are you? Where are you at? Out east? I popped in to your blog REALLY fast, and I see you're in love with Don (Renegade Gardener). Now, he's taken, so it'll have to be platonic. :) He did the landscaping on my parents house in Minnesota and is a fun guy to talk to.