That's a pretty amazing trunk on that Hydrangea. Not sure if this qualifies, but I always thought Xanthoceras sorbifolium would be a neat shrub to grow if I lived in a cooler climate.

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=255852&isprofile=0&letter=X

Yeah, it is a neat shrub, and somewhat of a rarity as MBG says.

However, I am looking for a nice trunk as a 4 season interest of deciduous shrubs (or small trees). The Hydrangea in my OP has that, but I fear it will be something that only my grandchildren will enjoy :-) The Wisteria below has that too, but it has its own issues.

Hence, I am looking for other plants. It will appear to me that whenever a woody shrub has to develop a trunk, then that trunk can turn out to be out of the ordinary. In any case, that's the reason I posted in this 'Shrubs' forum.

I have a Xanthoceras and yes, it's lovely in bloom.

Here are a couple pictures of my Xanthoceras sorbifolium.

Frank

Nice wood for people
in warmer zones than I am.

Cercis canadensis
'Covey' USDA zone 5-8