I have a few favorites-- several vibernums; unfortunately the flowering vibernums can't take our intense dry summer heat (IDSH) but the nonflowering vibernums do very well. The large xylosma and a couple of the pittisporums are nice too, but alas, no flowers.
Hydrangeas do pretty well for the most part and I love their flowers. But this H. Preziosa looks pretty scraggly by the end of summer. This picture was taken in early summer. The following picture shows a xylosma, vibernum japonica (top left to right) a white lace cap hydrangea, lime green hypericum and a variegated weigela (left to right). Also an agapanthus in a pot. 
Most of the euonemus are too stiff and slow growing for me. Weigela's are my favorite deciduous flowering shrubs.
One of my favorite shrubs is camillia sasanqua. I like the sasanquas because of their informal shape and the flowers are so sweet. They are very slow growing though. I planted this one 15 years ago and it's just 7' tall now.
This past year I planted the following one gal. leycesteria formosa 'Golden Lanterns' and it stood up to our IDSH (intense, dry summer heat).
No crispy leaves, no drooping or wilting, interesting flowers and that leaf color! Sheesh! This one really lights up the shady areas. That red thing in the center of the plant is the flower. The 'Golden part of the name refers to the leaves and the 'Lantern' part refers to the flower. This is the only flower it got this year but next year it should have a lot more. I like this shrub so much I went back to the nursery and got 2 more. (You know, if one is good, three are better). I don't know if this shrub will grow to be a 'perfect' shrub but for now it's a new favorite.
4 comments:
I've never heard of a Leycesteria but I really like it. It probably wouldn't do well for me (we might get too much rain in the summer). But it looks like the perfect plant to light up some dark spaces. Thanks for sharing.
its interesting to read about what works in different parts of the country... i've seen the leycesteria at the nursery and its always caught my eye, but i've never tried it... but seeing it in your pics is a good incentive!
I also love the sasanquas -- the flowers smell so sweet.
How about Photinia? It grows taller than eight feet but can be kept trimmed, and it has a beautiful, billowy, fragrant white flowers.
Hi Jean and Anne...I only learned of leycestria this year. I don't know if I just overlooked it or if it was introduced to this area only this year. I love photinia but they do get so big and I like a more natural, unclipped look. Thanks for the suggestion though.
Favorite shrubs, like little black dresses, are hard to pick. For me, believe it or not, the lemon is a perfect shrub. Formally clipped or laxly pruned, Mediterranean chic and thoroughly laidback California, big shiny green leaves (when they aren't turning yellow and dropping off), old fashioned, and thoroughly modern. Ornamental and productive. Fragrant but never gawdy. It's gotta be a lemon.
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