How to Tell if a Shrub Is a Show-Stopper

To some gardener , in order for a plant to hand show - conversation stopper position it has to do everything — unceasingly — for 12 months of the year . Think springiness blooms of a Himalayan magnolia ( Magnolia campbellii ) , summertime leaf of ‘ Little Honey ’ oakleaf hydrangea ( Hydrangea quercifolia‘Little Honey ’ ) , fall fruit of a possum haw ( Ilex verticillata ) , and wintertime bark of a paperbark maple ( Acer griseum ) . And while we ’d all likely degenerate a month ’s paycheck on such a plant if it be , I look for show - stopper that keep their powder dry , expect for the perfect slot in the garden calendar to prance their hooey . Here are some of my criteria . ( See what shrubs we mean were show - conversation stopper . )

1. It leaves a lasting impression.

If it take hold of someone ’s attending from across the garden — like the spiked wintertime hazel ( Corylopsis spicata , zona 5–8 ) render above — and the next prison term that individual visits they are search for that “ grand works , ” it has bring in the right field to be called a show - stopple .

2. It has one truly eye-catching trait.

foliation as all right as salientian hair , blooms that envelop the entire plant for weeks , or branching case that makes it impossible to await anywhere else are all get ahead trait . The excellent texture of Pancake ™ arborvitae ( Thuja occidentalis‘Concesarini ’ , Zones 3–7 , pictured ) pull in it a show - showstopper contender .

3. It has at least one season of serious interest.

Something like winterberry ( Ilex verticillata , Zones 3–9 , visualise ) that flower or limit fruit in the dead of wintertime when everything else is dormant ? Bingo .

4. It’s fairly low-maintenance.

A shrub can have the most elegant , gorgeous blooms on the major planet , but if , like common lilac ( Syringa vulgaris , geographical zone 3–7 , picture ) , it ’s cover in powdery mildew six calendar month of the year , it ’s not worthy of a showy title .

Paul Cappiello is executive manager of Yew Dell Botanical Gardens in Crestwood , Kentucky .

ok Gardening Recommended Products

ARS telescope Long Reach Pruner

Fine horticulture receives a commission for items buy through connectedness on this site , include Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs .

Scotts Cordless Grass - Shear / Shrub - Trimmer Combo

Black and Decker 22 - inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Get our latest tips , how - to article , and instructional videos post to your inbox .

A Variegated Shrub With a Long Season of Interest

A Sugary-Sweet Shrub That Stays in Bounds

Show-Stopping Shrubs

10 Drought-Tolerant Shrubs

Join Fine Gardening for a free engaging unrecorded webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a celebrated plant life diagnostician as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical manager …

When I spotted a special sand clam cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful colouring material pattern …

When we only prioritize plant we require over plants our landscape painting pauperism , each season is fill with a never - ending lean of chores : pruning , pinching , tearing , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be heedful when you infix the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a yoke …