help me choose foundation shurbs for zone 3

10 years ago

I have an area about 4'x30' along a southern facing wall of our house
under two windows that I am looking to update. We planted dwarf Arctic
Willows there about 10 years ago that have been anything but dwarf. They
grow close to 8' tall and we have been pruning them hard down to about
1' every spring. By mid summer they are 8' again, blocking the windows.
Interestingly, the dwarf arctic willows in other parts of our yard have
stayed at a perfect 5'. Had they stayed 5' in this location they would
have been a great plant for the spot. Perhaps the pruning made them grow
taller or the plants were mis-labeled?

Anyhow, we are getting tired of dealing with these shrubs in this
location so are planning on pulling them out this spring if we can
decide on a better plant for the spot.

We live in a solid zone 3 at about 6000ft., although there is debate
that we are now zone 4a. Our soil leans toward alkaline, and is on the
clay side, although this spot has pretty good soil. The spot will have
drip irrigation and gets full sun in the middle of the day, and dappled
sun in the morning and afternoon.

Here is our criteria:

-mature size from 4' to 5', width anywhere from 3' - 6'.

-prefer green to dark green foliage in spring and summer, but may
consider burgundy foliage like a ninebark.

-moderate growth

-non-suckering

-fairly low maintenance, occasional pruning okay.

-some sort of fall color, but doesn't need to be dramatic.

-I would love them to have white flowers in the spring.

Plants I am considering:

-Snowmound Spirea (but I have been reading not such great things here)

-Gresheim Spirea

-Dwarf Ninebark

-some sort of Viburnum (suggestions?)

-white shrub roses if I can find some for zone 3 (4a?)

-a long row of white peonies instead of shrubs.

I do not want to use Burning Bush or evergreens.

Any other suggestions?

Featured Answer

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

10 years ago

Also do a search for Canadian Explorer roses and others from the Morden research station in Canada which are bred for hardiness. No sure what if any there are in white, but they specifically breed roses for cold situations.

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Comments (6)

Xty G (z4)
Original Author
10 years ago
I just checked the USDA zone map, and it looks like I am now officially
in a zone 4b, but I think that might be pushing it a tad and would stay
with zone 4a to be safe.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
10 years ago
Where are you - somewhere like the mountains of WY or MT? Zones only give coldest average temperatures, and having elevation and soil info helps, but a location will also add to the info.

How do you feel about Hydrangea paniculata which is hardy to zone 3? There are a bunch of selections of various flower size and density and plant size and they are easy care and very long blooming in my garden. There are a few that start blooming in late June/early July and continue right through until frost. Most start blooming about a month later. While fall color isn't spectacular, many have some sort of gold to pink to rust color in the leaves. I don't know the pH range, though, so check that out. They are fine here in full, all day sun to half day sun. Look at Little Quickfire, Bobo, and Dharuma in particular as ones that start in late spring/early summer.

Check out Spirea Ogon, sometime marketed under the awful name of Mellow Yellow. Gold to chartreuse foliage and white blossoms would contrast well with the other things you are considering. Delicate leaves and arching form.

There are some smaller ninebarks such as Tiny Wine that should stay close to your desired size.

There's a place called High Country Roses that might have some roses that would work for you, though I haven't bought anything through them, so you probably want to check them out on Garden Watchdog.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
it was a dwarf .. compared to other willows... lol ..

you should have been doing RENOVATION PRUNING... rather than cutting one foot off ...

4 feet wide isnt very wide ...

a pic of the space would sure help me conceptualize the situation ...

and as babs said ... give us a general location ... nearby big city good enough ...

ken
Xty G (z4)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks!

I am located in Jackson, Wyoming.

I would be interested in Hydrangea. I don't think I have ever seen it here so I didn't think it would be a possibility.

I will check out High Country Roses. I would love to have some Iceberg Roses!
lisanti07028
10 years ago
Most of the Buck roses were bred for the prairies as well, and are as hardy as you can get.