Companion Shrubs

Companion Shrubs For Mixed Beds And Bulb Plantings

Increase your success with perennializing you bulb garden by adding flowering shrubs. Many garden mistakes occur when bulbs are planted with annuals which have a moisture requirement that interferes with the bulbs need to stay dry while dormant. Most shrubs require less moisture and have the ability to quickly pull water away from bulbs naturally. These are good choices for our area. Depending on your site and interest, a grouping or companion combinations can add impact to a ho- hum garden or bring to life a tired landscape.

      Amelanchier (Service Berry) 'Regent' at 4-6' has all the great attributes    of this genus in a compact upright form. It has white flowers in spring and       brilliant yellow and orange fall color.
    Berberis thunbergii (Barberry) has several ways to contribute to the garden. Favorites include the newest dwarf forms 'Bagatelle' (12-16") and 'Concord' (18"). Burgundy velvet color add pizzas to late spring bulbs and combines well with perennials. 'Aurea Nana' changes her spring color of bright yellow to bright red in the fall. She dances with the blue of Hyacinth.
    Chaenomeles (Quince) 'Cameo' adds old fashioned romance with double peach colored flowers. Compact 2-3' growth habit doesn't overpower even the smaller flowers of spring.
Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet) 'Hummingbird' is a well named summer blooming favorite. At only 30" it adds white fragrant flowers to the bed and border in peak season as well as yellow fall color.
Deutzia an old time classic is a delicate 12-24" bouquet of white flowers for the edge of the border. A nice addition of burgundy fall color & low habit makes this plant full of desirable qualities for a ground cover.
Euonymus varigata is a useful evergreen ground cover. Low growing with clean deep green leaves with narrow white edges provides a beautiful backdrop for Galanthus (Snowdrops) and Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
Exochordia x macrantha (Pearl-Bush) fills her 3-4' arching frame with pearl like flower buds in early spring. Combines well with most bulbs and tolerates partial shade.
Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon) offers a rainbow of color to the garden. These are often considered to be one of the longest blooming summer shrubs.

Hydrangeas arborescens 'Annabelle' at 3-4' offers a old fashion look. This creamy Hydrangea blooms on each seasons new growth so there is never a question about having flowers. Adapts well to light shade/ great cut flower.

Hydrangea macro phyla 'All Summer Beauty' is a new selection that may be able to bloom a least some on new wood so the opportunity for a long season of bloom is possible.
Hydrangea paniculata (Hardy Hydrangea) is another old fashioned choice that blooms on new wood and what a show they put on!!! Outstanding choices include 'Pink Diamond' a 4-6' beauty with large white lacy blooms that colors to a soft pink. The habit is distinctly upright and graceful. Moves into Morning sun/afternoon shade very well as do most hydrangeas.
Itea virginica (Sweetspire) 'Sprich' a new dwarf alias 'Little Henry' at 24" is a sweet scented firework of flowers. Well suited to combination plantings and easy to interplant with Scilla and Allium moly it adds well to the landscape late into the fall as a fireball of fall color.
Philadelphus virginalis (Mock Orange) 'Innocence' at 6-8' may be the most fragrant of all mock oranges. Prune to the crown after flowering to stimulate maximum amount of flowers for next year. The flowers are clear white and deliciously fragrant. Foliage at times is lightly variegated.

Philadelphus virginalis 'Minnesota Snowflake' is a delightful double form with a strong upright habit.

Physocarpus at 4-8' is a new variety with dark purple foliage and pink/white button flowers in mid-summer. Use as a backdrop or bookends in a large border for definition.
Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor' (birch-leaf Spirea) at 2-3' is one of the prettiest spiraea I have seen yet. Clean blue green foliage and compact growth habit for sun or shade with soft white flowers in spring and great purple fall color.
Stephanandra incisa 'Crispa' is a versatile 2-3' spreading ground cover plant with reddish bronze maple-like leaves and small white flowers in spring. Although not evergreen like ivy the look is clean and fresh all season. Easy to hide fading foliage of any spring bulbs and lends well to formal or informal plantings means there's a place for this plant in every garden. Trails well over walls.

Weigela florida 'Midnight Wine' at 18-24" is a marvelous dwarf version of the still new 'Wine and Roses' (4-5') introduction. Both have dwarf wine colored foliage and clear pink trumpets. Make a place for these in your garden to add structure in winter, color in summer, and companions to every bulb.

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