Five Unique Shrubs for Your Yard

May long weekend—often considered the start of gardening season in Saskatchewan. We’ve been working away to prepare this year’s supply of trees, shrubs, and vines, and the nursery is fully stocked! Come by Floral Acres if you’re looking for a new addition to your yard. And if you have an empty spot to fill, here are a few interesting plants that may catch your eye. 

Ash Leaf False Spirea

First up on this list is the false spirea, and in particular, the ash leaf variety. The false spirea produces large, fern-like leaves that resemble a mountain ash. In the summer, watch for the emergence of large white flowering plumage that can grow to almost a foot long. This plant will reach a mature height and spread of six to eight feet. The ash leaf false spirea does produce suckers, making it good for spreading across larger landscapes—but if that isn’t what you’re after, be sure to trim the suckers when they appear. This zone 2 hardy plant is fast-growing, drought tolerant, and resistant to deer and rabbits. Although it prefers full sun, the false spirea can tolerate partial shade, and adapts well to a variety of soil types. Prune hard in the late winter or early spring to encourage new, bushier growth for the following season.  

Winecraft Black Smokebush 

One of the most interesting shrubs in our nursery at Floral Acres, the Winecraft Black Smokebush is a showstopper at maturity. Also available in yellow-gold, the smokebush reaches a mature height and spread of four to six feet. The Winecraft Black produces foliage in a rich purple that deepens under the summer sun and shifts once again into vibrant autumn tones. But what really makes this plant stand out is the blooms it produces in summer—large panicles of gentle, hazy flowers that appear like a cloud of smoke. The smokebush is hardy for zone 4, which means, like many of your other perennials, it will require a layer of mulch to protect the roots through winter. Worth the effort!  

Morden Yew 

As the only evergreen on this list, the Morden Yew stands out for a number of reasons. The Morden Upright maintains a dense, compact form, reaching a maximum height of three to four feet, with a spread of four to five feet. Originating in Morden, Manitoba, this yew is hardy for our climate (zone 3), deer and rabbit resistant, and drought tolerant. With mature foliage in a deep green and newer foliage emerging as a bright yellow-green, this plant creates a beautiful effect along with bright red berries. The Morden yew also tolerates heavy pruning, making it great for ornamental or hedging purposes. Keep in mind, however, that the Morden yew is poisonous. 

Rose Glow Japanese Barberry 

On this list for some of the most interesting foliage colours, the Rose Glow Japanese Barberry produces foliage that emerges in a mottled rosy pink with variegated shades of red and white. In full sun this plant thrives, with its leaves deepening towards a pink-maroon in autumn. It produces yellow flowers in the late spring to early summer, with ornamental red berries in the fall which attract birds. This variety of barberry maintains a compact, rounded form, reaching three to four feet in height and span. Like other barberry plants, the rose glow is deer and rabbit resistant due to its barbed stems—so take care planting these around children and pets! This plant is hardy to zone 3, and once established, is drought tolerant and requires minimal pruning. For a splash of colour year-round, check out this beauty!  

Turkestan Burning Bush 

Last but certainly not least! During my time in the Floral Acres tree department last season, I was able to watch the progression of fall colours settle over the nursery. The Turkestan Burning Bush landed on this list as one of my personal favourite shrubs. Like other burning bush varieties, this plant is prized for its vibrant red autumn colouring, and its bark is corky and squared on the edges. The Turkestan is a compact, rounded form with a mature height and spread of three feet. Its defining features include narrow, sprawling foliage with beautiful pink and orange seed pockets that hang like small lanterns. The combination makes its autumn foliage a sight to behold. The Turkestan burning bush is hardy to zone 3, rabbit resistant, and holds up well to pruning, making it a great choice for either accents or mass planting. 

See you around the greenhouse soon! Until next time.