by High Country Gardens
Flowering shrubs are some of our most invaluable xeric garden citizens providing us with longevity, size and spectacular displays of pollinator-attracting flowers.
In the case of Cytisus, these shrubs also have attractive evergreen stems that give the plants excellent winter interest. Two of my current favorites are two hybrid varieties, Cytisus x praecox x Paulette and Cytisus kewensis. 'Paulette'has large, super showy scarlet flowers held on substantial, bright green stems. This is a larger-growing variety and can have hundreds of flowers that cover the plant in late spring. Cytisus kewensis grows to only about 18” in height; this vigorous hybrid variety grows horizontally making it an excellent choice for covering slopes and other harsh areas in the landscape. The pale yellow flowers are profuse and cover the plant’s fine textured stems in late spring. Both Cytisus varieties are fantastic for providing nectar for honeybees.
Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) attract both butterflies and hummingbirds with their summer long display of nectar rich flowers. There has been a great deal of effort to breed improved varieties with a wider range of flower colors and mature sizes.
The best of the dwarf butterfly bushes are the Flutterby Petites. My two favorites are Flutterby Petite ‘Pink’ and ‘Blue’ which mature to a small size; only 30” in height and width making them useful in the smallest gardens in the ground or in pots. And best of all, these two varieties are sterile and will not reseed in areas of the country where Buddleia can escape cultivation.
An outstanding selection of our western native sand cherry, Pawnee Buttes® is a low growing, groundcover shrub with a profusion of fragrant white flowers in early spring and show...
Learn MorePawnee Buttes® Sand Cherry (Prunus) Pawnee Buttes® Sand Cherry Prunus besseyi P011SAs low as $11.99 Sale $11.39Per Plant - 5" Deep PotAn outstanding selection of our western native sand cherry, Pawnee Buttes® is a low growing, groundcover shrub with a profusion of fragrant white flowers in early spring and showy mahogany-red foliage in the fall. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant. Prunus besseyi P011S is a 2000 Plant Select® introduction. 12-18" tall x 4-6' wide.Learn MoreDesert Snow Littleleaf Mockorange (Philadelphus microphyllus 'Desert Snow') is an especially showy selection of our native Littleleaf Mockorange. It blooms in late spring with huge, ...
Learn MoreDesert Snow Mock Orange (Philadelphus) Desert Snow Mock Orange Philadelphus microphyllus Desert Snow$11.99Per Plant - 5" Deep PotDesert Snow Littleleaf Mockorange (Philadelphus microphyllus 'Desert Snow') is an especially showy selection of our native Littleleaf Mockorange. It blooms in late spring with huge, highly fragrant white flowers.Learn MoreFirst Choice is a newer selection with particularly deep blue flowers and a more compact mature size than other Blue Mist spirea. Blooming late summer it is an invaluable nectar sour...
Learn MoreFirst Choice Caryopteris First Choice Blue Mist Spirea, Bluebeard Caryopteris clandonensis First Choice$12.99Per Plant - 5" Deep PotFirst Choice is a newer selection with particularly deep blue flowers and a more compact mature size than other Blue Mist spirea. Blooming late summer it is an invaluable nectar source for bees and butterflies. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).Learn MoreNew Mexico Privet is an attractive multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with ornamental white bark and brilliant yellow fall foliage. ‘Happy Boy’ is a male plant needed for pollinat...
Learn MoreHappy Boy New Mexico Privet Happy Boy New Mexico Privet Forestiera neomexicana Happy Boy$11.99Per Plant - 5" Deep PotNew Mexico Privet is an attractive multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with ornamental white bark and brilliant yellow fall foliage. ‘Happy Boy’ is a male plant needed for pollination. If no fruit is desired, plant only ‘Happy Boy’. One male pollinates numerous female plants. Plant at least one male and female plant if you wish to get berries.Learn More