"Shelly" wrote:
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!


Have you sought out a native shrubs specialist in your area? I have quite
a big collection of flowering evergreen shrubs, but the impact has been
greatly improved by interspersing native deciduous shrubs. A few that I
have ought to do just as well in your zone (if memory serves me well for a
change, the following will work down to zone 4, not that I've ever
personally gardened where it gets that cold):
Snowberry:
http://www.paghat.com/snowberry.html
Mount Airy Fothergilla:
http://www.paghat.com/mountairy.html
Rosy Spirea (or a similar one I don't have but hope to eventually,
Douglas's Spirea):
http://www.paghat.com/spiraeadensiflora.html
Summersweet (Clethra):
http://www.paghat.com/summersweet.html
Flowering Currant:
http://www.paghat.com/ribeskingedward.html
Choke Berry Bush
http://www.paghat.com/chokeberry.html

If you can make a connection with a native plants nursery or specialist in
your own region, you'll be able to find out about availability of
spectacular native vacciniums & viburnums, which no fancy imports or
cultivars ever really exceed in beauty. Also, check out any number of
different varieties of elderberry shrubs or trees, species & cultivars.

Plus, the Elf's-Home Spirea seems to be a rare offering in my area but is
so intensely cold-hardy I bet it's better distributed in your garden
centers:
http://www.paghat.com/spiraea.html

-paghat the ratgirl

--
"Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher.
"Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature.
-from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers"
See the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com/