Re: shrub ideas

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Comments:
: : Sorry, I guess I should have been more specific.

: : I think I am in zone 7 or 8, South Carolina.
: : They will get plenty of sun, but there are also some trees that could provide shade.

: : I have a good amount of space. What I wanted to do was plant a few together as maybe a hedge type thing and then plant a few seperated.

: : I would really like a mix of sizes, one I am thinking of is forsythia, but there are so many varieties that I don't know which I should get.

: : Something about 4 to 5 feet would be good.
: : I know some forsythia get lots bigger than that. The main thing is I don't want that stiff look. I know there are so many different plants out there, but I just wanted a few ideas so I can get started.

: : Thanks


: Hi Jane,
: South Carolina is zones 7 and 8.  Here's a zip code zone finder that should be helpful.
: http://www.gardenweb.com/zones/zip.cgi

: You can research any suggestions you get at www.google.com and put the name in quotes, preferably the botanical or Latin name as you'll get more info.  Just search like this: "Viburnum mohawk"  You can also click on 'Images' and often get pictures.

: Since you have lots of space and like the informal look of cascading branches, I'd like to suggest you think of shrubs and trees that will feed the birds and butterflies.  The critters will add even more interest to your yard, especially the berries in the winter.  Here's some that I like.

: Viburnums (many fragrant with wonderful berries for birds)
: http://www.sylvannursery.com/pdf/viburnum.pdf

: Kalmia latifolia - mountain laurel (not cascading, but open and informal.  Do check your zones on this one as it's best to get them from a grower in your same zone.
: http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/kalmialati.html 

: Itea virginica - Virginia sweetspire (fragrant - many varieties)
: http://www.gwf.org/virginia%20sweetspire.htm

: Calycanthus occidentalis - spice bush (fragrant)
: http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/127.htm

: Calycanthus floridus - sweetshrub
: http://www.nobleplants.com/introductions/calycanthus.htm

: Clethra alnifolia - summersweet
: http://www.nobleplants.com/introductions/clethra.htm
: http://www.nobleplants.com/introductions/clethrasixteencandles.htm

: Fothergilla major - fothergilla
: http://www.nobleplants.com/introductions/fothergilla.htm

: Ilex verticillata - winterberry (Great berries for the birds and just beautiful in the winter with it's bare branches and red berries.  
: http://www.botany.wisc.edu/wisflora/scripts/detail.asp?SpCode=ILEVER

: Symphoricarpus albus - common snowberry - also spelled symphoricarpOs albus.  Note that it ends with 'os'. (This will sucker when it's established and will need some room.)  There is a creeping variety as well as the upright form.
: Berries - http://www.eggert-baumschulen.de/syalbild.JPG
: Flowers - http://www.helsinki.fi/ml/botgard/kuvat/Symphoricarpos_albus_var_laevigatus.jpg

: Aronia arbutifolia - red chokeberry
: http://www.nobleplants.com/introductions/Aronia.html

: Callicarpa americana - beautyberry (There's a white form too.)
: http://www.sms.si.edu/IRLSpec/Callica_americ.htm

: 
: You might find these sites helpful too.
: http://www.forestlakefloral.com/gardening/shrubs.html
: http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/
: http://www.birdnature.com/trees.html
: http://www.pineridgegardens.com/birdfood.htm#plants

: For trees I recommend serviceberry, dogwood, redbud, sourwood (my favorite), chionanthus virginicus - fringetree and goldenrain tree.  This site gives lots of useful info on trees such as whether they form invasive roots, have lots of litter, are prone to diseases and bugs, etc.
: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/index.htm

: That should get you started.  Hope it isn't too much.
: Have fun :)
: Newt



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