New Shrubs & Trees for 2022

Sweet Cherry Tea (Physocarpus opulifolius) is the first ninebark to exhibit a re-blooming trait. The spring season begins with the warm, reddish-orange glow of feathery leaves, which gradually age to a rich purple. Dark-pink flower buds open to reveal pink flowers clustered together at the branch tips. As the flower petals fall, they give way to showy, rose-red fruits that hold their color for a few weeks in late spring. In midsummer, the flowering starts again with vigorous shoots displaying additional pink flower clusters. Ninebark is a native shrub that tolerates a wide range of soil types and harsh conditions.

Height: 3-4 feet. Width: 3-4 feet. Light: Full sun. Zone: 3.

Proven Winners Color Choice Flowering Shrubs

Quick Fire Fab is an early-blooming panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) with large, upright, football-shaped blooms. Starting out as a coconut-lime color, the blossoms quickly develop watermelon-pink tones at the base (thus the name “Quick Fire”). These pink tones darken and progress up the panicle for a striking bicolor look. Also notable are the sturdy stems that don’t flop.

Height: 6-8 feet. Width: 5-6 feet. Light: Full sun to part sun. Zone: 3.

A menagerie of foliage colors is the claim to fame of this small tree (Cercis canadensis Flame Thrower). Emerging burgundy-red, the leaves turn bright yellow and green as they mature through the season. Plus, multiple shades of each color add to the remarkable sight. Before the leaf show begins, the spring branches show off the classic pink flowers for which redbuds are well known.

continued from page 24

Proven Winners Color Choice Flowering Shrubs

This shrub (Calycanthus floridus Simply Scentsational) is all about the fragrance. The aromatic blooms appear from late spring through summer. These deep maroon flowers are powerfully fragrant, even when they are wilted. Hints of pineapple and bubblegum fill the air.

Proven Winners Color Choice Flowering Shrubs

This panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) is truly dwarf, with a low, mounded habit. The summer blooms emerge a bright lime green, transition to white, and then take on hues of dark pink. Due to its diminutive size, this shrub can be used at the front of the border. Plus, it will often show a pleasing display of orange-red foliage in the fall.

Height: 2-3 feet. Width: 3 feet. Light: Full sun to part sun. Zone: 3.

Iseli Nursery / Randall C. Smith

Ice Dragon maple (Acer x pseudosieboldianum Ice Dragon) is a hybrid that combines the hardiness of Korean maple with the desirable attributes of Japanese maple. This hardy maple unfurls blushed orange-red leaves in spring that mature to green in summer. When fall arrives, the finely dissected leaves become a striking mix of yellow, orange and red. The cascading habit is pleasing during the growing season as well as winter, when the undulating branches provide an attractive structure.