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Miscellaneous Oddities

This page includes a few annuals, shrubs, and garden art that have unique and interesting characteristics.

If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, try a few of these 'eye catchers'.
Honeywort Pepper Toothache
Garden Art that won't fly away Hand made glazed planters Toothache Plant - Are you brave enough to nibble on me?
Amaranthus Cardoon Papaver
Drift wood planted with succulents Stones large and small for your rock garden Oregon Grapeholly - My early spring blooms are brilliant yellow.
Scotch Winter willow Dwarf
Scotch Thistle - unlike any thistle you have ever seen! Britzensis Willow - Striking winter color Dwarf Blue Actic Willow - Winter and summer interest
Image Galery
Description List
SCIENTIFIC VARIETY COMMON LIGHT REQ BLOOM TIME HEIGHT BLOOM COLOR ZONE DESCRIPTION
Berberis thumbergii 'Helmond Pillar' Barberry Sun Spring 6' Yellow 4 to 8 This purple leafed European Barberry offers 3 season interest.  A cylindrical plant broader at the top boasts yellow blooms in spring followed by red fruit. 
Callicarpa dichotoma 'Early Amethyst' Purple Beautyberry Sun to part shade Mid summer 3' to 4' Pale pink, purple berries 5 to 8 Bright purple berries appear in late summer and persist even after leaves have fallen. Dry to moist soil. Best berry production in sun and moist site.  Birds like the berries. Cut back severely each year for best berry production.
Caryopteris clandonensis 'Longwood Blue' Blue Mist Spirea Sun to part shade Mid summer to fall 2' Sky-blue 5 to 9 Upright growth, long bloomtime, heavy flower prod- uction and superb silvery foliage. Very good for a low hedge, foundation, or container. Foliage is very aromatic. 
Caryopteris clandonensis 'Worcester Gold' Bluebeard Sun July to Sept 2' to 3' Blue 5 to 9 Compact deciduous shrub with fine gold foliage. Tops die back in zone 5; roots push up new growth. Easily grown in average well-drained soil. Foliage and flowers are fragrant. 
Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' Variegated  Redtwig Dogwood Sun to part shade Late spring/early summer 10' White 2 to 8 Foliage leafs out gray-green with irregular margins of white to cream that stand out brilliantly against dark red stems. In winter the stems are a showy red. Very adaptable to soil types.
Cynara cardunculus biennial Cardoon Sun Late summer 6' Blue-violet 7b to 9 Bold huge jagged-edged foliage arches to 3-4' wide plants. In late summer, plants are topped with thistle-like flowers.  Good for centerpiece or containers.  Well-drained soil is best. 
Cytisus scoparius Scotch Broom Sun to part sun May to June 3' to 6' Yellow 5 to 8 Fast grower.  Tolerates drought and will grow in dry soil, but prefers well-drained soils. Prune after flowering to keep nice shape. Short lived (5 years) but well worth it for the spectacular bloom.
Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' Burkwood Daphne Sun to light shade Early summer 3' to 4' Pale pink 4 to 8 Hardy and easy to grow. A striking variegated evergreen shrub.  Each leaf is gold banded. In May and June star shaped richly fragrant pale pink flowers appear. 
Euonymous fortunei 'Colorata' Purple Leaf Wintercreeper Full sun to full shade Not applicable 12" to 15" 4 to 10 Rapid spreading groundcover that is good for a difficult spot, even dry shade. Holds on a bank. Leaves turn reddish purple in late fall to winter. Evergreen and deer resistant. Not invasive. 
Euonymous fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety' WIntercreeper Full sun to full shade Not applicable 12" to 15" 5 to 8 Deep green leaves with white edging turn rose red in late fall. Spreading groundcover for difficult spots, even dry shade. Deer resistant. Tolerates dry better than wet. 
Euonymus japonica 'Microphyllus Variegatus' Variegated Euonymus Sun to part shade 18" 4 to 11 Slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub. Small waxy leaves with white margins.  Slow grower needs little maintenance. 
Genista lydia cv 'Select' Bangle Sun Spring 2' Yellow 4 to 7 Neatly mounded, low growing shrub is covered in yellow blooms for a full 6 weeks.  Flowers are borne on slender upright green stems that are nearly leafless. Heat tolerant and adaptable to many soils.
Mahonia aquifolium Oregon Grapeholly Part sun to full shade April 5' Yellow 5 to 8 Small broadleaf evergreen shrub. Great yellow flowers in early spring. Protect from winter winds and sun.  
Onopordum acanthium Scotch Thistle Sun Summer 4' to 6' Lavender Biennial. Self seeds readily.  Finches love seeds Dramatic giant silver candlelabra On the Scottish National Emblem  
Salix alba ssp. vitellina 'Britzensis' Willow Sun 4' to 5' 2 to 8 A European favorite, this lovely white willow brightens the winter landscape with its vivid orange-red stems.  Grows 4' to 5' in one season. Cut back to 12' to 15' inches in late winter. 
Salix babylonica 'Pekinensis' Curly or Corkscrew Willow Sun to part shade 20' to 30' 4 to 10 Small tree with reddish-gold new limb growth.    
Salix chaenomeloides Giant Pussy Willow Sun Early summer 25' Silvery white 4 to 9 3" silvery white catkins produce pink stamens creating a dusty pink hue.  The vigourous willows new shoots can reach 12' in onbe season. Easy to grow in moisture retentive but well drained soil. 
Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys' Black Pussy Willow Sun Black 4 to 8 Keep well watered    
Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki' Dappled Japanese Willow Sun to light shade Summer 2' 4 to 8 Creamy white and pink mottled leaves are showy all summer.  It also has smoky coral stems. Stems are semi weeping forming a mounded shrub. Best in moist soils. 
Salix purpurea 'Nana' Dwarf Blue Arctic Willow Sun 6' to 8' 4 to 8 Dwarf Arctic willow.  Maroon new growth. Easily shaped by pruning for topiary etc.  Drought tolerant.  
Salix purpurea Dark Arctic Blue Willow Sun 10' 3 to 8 Good for fast growing informal hedge. Can harvest shoots for basketry or crafts.   
Spilanthes acmella annual Toothache Plant Sun Summer 12" Yellow - purple Annual The leaves and flower heads of this plant contain a natural analgesic which numbs the tongue and gums and stimulates the salivary glands. Gives your mouth a unique Buzz.  Also has medicinal (antifungal, anti bacterial) properties.
Syringa vulgaris Lilac Tree Spring 10' to 15' Purple 4 to 8 Best in alkaline soils but will grow in most non-acidic soils.  Lilac trees are easy to grow as a bush or a small tree.  They are native to East Asia and South East Europe. 
Wisteria Blue Wisteria Sun to Part Shade Mid Spring 20' Blue 5 to 10 Stunning dangling racemes of blue flowers in spring, followed by soft bean-like seed pods. Takes a few years to mature to flowering stage, but worth the wait. 
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