Shelly wrote:

"Pam" wrote in message
...

I am unfamiliar with your climate, but IME, neither calycanthus nor
clethra will
be happy in the situations you describe and neither is particularly
attractive
off season.. For year round appearance, at least a few (if not most) of
your
foundation shrubs should be evergreen.

pam - gardengal


Oh, that was what I was afraid of wind deflating from sails. The other
foundation shrubs are mostly evergreens, and I love the look of deciduous
shrubs interspersed with evergreens in this application, so I do know I do
not want more evergreens... but it sounds like I should keep looking.
I do love my local garden center, but when I have asked for recommendations,
I find they recommend the same few shrubs that all of my neighbors have, and
I want something a bit different. I guess I'll have to make it more clear to
them that I am looking for something unique. Thanks, Pam!

Shelly, here is a short list of some full sun deciduous shrubs to consider:
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Rurple' - purple leaved smokebush
Exochorda x macrantha 'The Bride' - pearl bush
Vaccinium corymbosum - blueberries (many are very ornamental, have great fall
color and are great eating, too!)
Any of the deciduous viburnums hardy to your zone - doublefile, sargentii, x
burkwoodii, opulus 'Compactum'
Any of the shrub dogwoods - Cornus sericea, alba or sanguinea. Many cultivars
have variegated foliage in addition to very colorful winter stems; also will
generate berries.
Hydrangea arborescens, grandiflora or quercifolia (these are hardy to at least
zone 5, perhaps 4 and will withstand considerable sun)
Aronia - chokeberry
Berberis thunbergii - Japanese barberry
Spiraea x bumalda cultivars, "'Limemound', 'Goldmound', 'Magic Carpet' or S.
prunifolia
Fothergilla gardenii - dwarf fothergilla

and if you have room (although you can find some dwarf varieties), lilac,
forsythia, mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius), wiegela. Some of these shrubs
are listed hardy to only zone 5, so some care in placement and proper mulching
in winter may be necessary. Check too for invasiveness - in some climates, a few
of these self-sow easily and can invade natural areas.

HTH!

pam - gardengal