2005 Year in Review

Shrubs in the Landscape

Viburnum

Butterfly Bush

Mock Orange

Choosing the right shrub can make intriguing and interesting gardens or landscapes, said James Schuster, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator based in Cook County.

"Shrubs can literally define a green space and as they continue to grow, they can continually redefine the area," he explained. "The variation in blooms and foliage as well as bark and berries can be amazing and spectacular.

"Shrubs can be grown for their natural beauty or used to help screen for privacy or to hide objectionable views. If done right, you can have the screening and the beauty. Used as a focal point, the right shrub can grow more interesting from season to season and year to year."

A number of shrubs grow in the Chicago area, he noted.

"Viburnum is a genus that contains close to 150 species," he said. "The viburnums that grow in northern Illinois are deciduous. Some have fragrant blooms, and some have long-lasting bright red fruit for winter effect. Viburnums need well-drained soil and light shade to full sun.

"The cultivar 'Mohawk' grows up to seven feet tall. Its fall leaf color turns shades of orange, red and reddish-purple that hang on in mild winters. In mild winters the reddish flower buds survive to produce five-pointed white stars forming an abundance of cymes. The flowers are fragrant and can be smelled as far as 30 feet away."

Another shrub, butterfly bush, as its name implies attracts butterflies. It often freezes to the ground, but re-grows rapidly from its roots. In mild winters, there is very little, if any, dieback.

"Butterfly bushes tend to bloom most of the summer," Schuster said. "The leaves are slender, willow-like, and gray-green with a silver sheen. The plant needs a sunny, fertile and well-drained spot."

Mock orange is a fast-growing shrub that reaches a height of 10 feet in just a few years after planting. When only half-grown, the plant will start producing white flowers that smell like orange blossoms.

"Once established, this plant needs yearly pruning of the largest stems," said Schuster. "Stems need to be cut between one and three inches above the soil line. 'Silver Showcase' is a smaller-growing variety, 'Viriginal' has probably the most intense fragrance, and 'Minnesota Snowflakes' produces the greatest number of blooms."

by  Editor, theCity1.com
March 29, 2005