Sorry but that plant is not going to work in zone 5. Only hardy to zone 6 and would be expected to suffer some damage in a rough winter even in that location.

And how "wonderful" they are is a matter of opinon :-) They are overly prone to bacterial shot hole disease, the species grows to immense proportions, are often overused and in my climate, borderline invasive.

Not sure where the OP is located (New England?), but I would think that the hardy varieties (schipkaensis, zabeliana) should survive in the warmer parts of that region given a protected location.

Neither of those 2 cultivars are any more hardy than the species....or any other cherry laurel cultivar. They are all zone 6 shrubs. And in that zone, could be expected to experience some cold damage in a bad winter. Even in a protected location, I would be doubtful of the longterm success planting these in a zone 5. It's much harder to push zones with a broadleaved evergreen shrub and be successful than it is attempting the same with most deciduous ones.

I don't have any personal experience with the species or its varieties, maybe others can comment. But those 2 (schipkaensis, zabeliana) are regularly listed as hardier than the straight species, and the species apparently survives at the Arnold Arboretum.

Thanks, everyone. Zone 5b (if I could figure out how to add to my profile.....) Got very excited by Garden Rant, but then further research indicated zone 6 limitations so thought I would ask here. Prior residence was a very protected zone 6a so could push the zone window much easier......

Would accept any recommendations for zone 5b, if anyone has planted something that they love.

' (if I could figure out how to add to my profile.....) '

Just use it for your 'last name' in your profile and it will show in your posts.

zone fixed (I think) Thank you!

Choose ‘edit profile’ then in ‘profile sections’ choose ‘advanced’. Scroll to the bottom. That’s where you’ll find the zone. FYI on my phone you are Linda G (zone 5b) (6B).

Why don’t you tell us a bit about the area you want to plant these shrubs in (light levels, soil, space available) and what your goals are (flowers? evergreen? privacy? size? berries? etc.) In the meantime, here are two groups of shrubs I like in my gardens in central NH that should be fine in 5b in New England.

I like some of the small-leafed evergreen Rhododendrons hybrids developed by the Mezitt family of Weston Nursery in Hopkinton, MA. The best known is PJM, but there are a bunch. Several have leaves that contrast well with other evergreens, with winter colors that are mahogany or olive. They come in a range of sizes as well. I have one that after 15 years hasn’t exceeded 3’, and others that are close to 7’.

Another favorite shrub is Hydrangea paniculata which is really long blooming; the best known is Limelight. I have 4 different cultivars, and they all bloom from some time in July until frost kills the flowers. I often leave the dried flowers on in winter as well since I like their tan color as a contrast against snow or evergreens. Again, there are a bunch of cultivars with different shapes and size of the clusters of bloom, and the shrubs vary in size from about 4’ to over 15’. The blooms start chartreuse to white, and then turn some shade of pink ranging from a pale tannish-pink like Limelight to a rich pink-red like Zinfin Doll. I like the more upright forms with stiffer branches and slightly lacier bloom clusters while others prefer the larger heavier clusters that tend to pull the branches down more.

Are deer a factor?