Tough-as-Nails Shrubs for the Northeast

Who does n’t love buying the garish new flora that catches everyone ’s middle at the nursery ? Or the plant that ’s just outside your hardiness geographical zone , but has always cod you with wondrous leaf and/or out - of - this - human beings flowers ? Gardeners are n’t I to always play it safe , but as Richie Steffen mentions in his article on tough perennial , “ plan a garden with unproved plant life is risky business and not for those unwilling to take another hit to their wallet . ”

And that ’s where tough - as - nail , essay performing artist come in . Taking a gamble on a new plant is a little less speculative when they ’re paired up with a cast of characters that never disappoint . In Richie ’s clause , hard - as - Nails Perennials , he cover the recurrent plant that baron through a variety of hellish condition , but there are also countless shrubs that also play this of the essence office . Below you will chance some tough - as - nail shrubs for the Northeast .

1. ‘Brilliantissima’ Red Chokeberry

Name:Aronia arbutifolia‘Brilliantissima’

USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 8

Size:6 to 8 feet grandiloquent and 3 to 5 feet blanket

Conditions : Full Dominicus to partial shade ; moist , well - drained soil

‘ Brilliantissima ’ red chokeberry is an undischarged deciduous shrub offering multiseasonal pursuit . Clusters of small white flower are produced in profusion during bound and are put off by dark green , lustrous foliage . As fall ’s cooler temperatures set in , the leaves of this aboriginal plant life changeover to vivid shades of scarlet , orange , and purpleness . The common name refers to the bunch of shiny , fervidness - locomotive engine - red fruit that are quite acerbic , so they are not thirstily wipe out by human being or creature . The fruit show will last for month until the berries either dry out up or birds receive them more palatable when their other option are exhaust .

2. ‘Sixteen Candles’ Summersweet

Name:Clethra alnifolia‘Sixteen Candles’

Zones:4 to 9

Size:3 to 4 feet tall and all-encompassing

Conditions : Full sunlight to fond specter ; acidic , moist soil

Shrubs that bloom late in summer are always seek after by gardeners looking to extend the bloom time of year . Summersweet is a perfect choice , offering wondrous fragrant white flush from mid- to previous summer through early fall . ‘ Sixteen Candles ’ provide the same floral qualities of the species — but on a plant half the sizing . The terminal flower cluster on this diminutive beauty are oblige upright on sturdy root word , appear almost candle like . When in flower , this aboriginal industrial plant is a magnet to many insects , including several mintage of butterfly . In fall , the foliage often turn a outstanding yellowed .

3. ‘Red Sprite’ Winterberry

Name:Ilex verticillata‘Red Sprite’

Zones:3 to 9

Size:2 to 4 substructure tall and 3 to 5 fundament wide

‘ Red Sprite ’ is an exceptional , award - winning deciduous Charles Hardin Holley that acquire half as bountiful as the species , making it ideal for gardeners lacking space . initiate in mid fall , fairly large , bright berries compensate the subdivision and may remain into late winter ( if not devour by birds ) . Just remember that a male pollinator is required for yield production . ‘ Jim Dandy ’ ( Ilex verticillata‘Jim Dandy ’ , Zones 3–9 ) is one of the best checkmate . consider by many to be one of the best winter berries , ‘ Red Sprite ’ is an obvious selection for aboriginal gardens , and its gnome , rounded form also pretend it a unique candidate for foundation planting .

4. ‘Mt. Aso’ Giant Pussy Willow

Name:Salix chaenomeloides‘Mt. Aso’

Zones:4 to 8

Size:10 to 12 foot tall and 8 to 10 foot wide

weather : Full sun to fond shade ; well - drained grunge

I can not think of a dear plant to snap us out of the winter blues than ‘ Mt. Aso ’ jumbo twat willow . Its 1- to 2 - in - long , velvety soft catkins ( bloom ) are an eye - catching pink and stand out boldly . Cut branches in full flower will make any floral adapter drool . The best flowering occurs on younger stems , so I urge cutting the prow down to 1 to 2 feet every two to three years to rejuvenate the industrial plant . Like many case of willow , ‘ Mt. Aso ’ is a vigorous grower , and this pruning method will also facilitate maintain a more realizable size . After blossoming , stems are clothed in attractive down - green foliage until fall .

Andrew Brand is the glasshouse manager at Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden , Connecticut .

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Red Sprite Winterberry

Photo: courtesy of Andrew Brand

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