Rosa rugosa

Rosa rugosa 'Hansa'

Rosa rugosa is one of the easiest, most drought tolerant, disease resistant & low-maintenance roses you can grow in Seattle.  It bears attractive flowers, foliage & fruits.  The fruits are large & resemble tomatoes.  Rosa rugosa doesn't often need pruning.  The canes grow to a height of about 3 to 4 feet covered in numerous spines, not the thorns typical of many roses.  Wear gloves when pruning.  The highly fragrant flowers may be single or double in the standard rose colors of red, pink, white & yellow.  Rosa rugosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert' is a popular white rose.  Rosa rugosa has many common names including sea tomato & beach rose.  The name I hear most frequently is rugosa rose.  Rugosa means wrinkled, or rugose.   Rosa rugosa is native to eastern Asia in China, Japan & Korea along the coast, often on sand dunes.  It is considered an invasive species along the coasts of northern Europe & New England.  But this shouldn't be a concern in an urban garden setting.  As with all roses, grow this plant in full sun, in well drained soil.  It blooms in July & August.

Fothergilla major

Fothergilla major at Washington Park Arboretum October 2011 

Fothergilla major at Washington Park Arboretum November 2011

 Fothergilla major at Washington Park Arboretum October 2011

In Seattle we seldom see Fothergilla major (Large Fothergilla).  This is a pity because it's an impressive shrub that tolerates some dryness.  More common is Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Fothergilla) which is lovely, but much smaller & needs regular water through the summer.  You can find Fothergilla major at the top of the Woodland Garden & along the East Drive, just north of the Pacific Rim Garden, at the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle.  William Calluna, author of Native Trees, Shrubs & Vines, writes that Fothergilla major is native to ridge tops & dry slopes in the southern Appalachian Mountains from North Carolina & Tennessee to Georgia & Alabama.  It is rare in the wild.  It has brilliant fall foliage, lovely flowers & a pleasing form.  It can reach 15 feet in height & spread 12 feet.  It is hardy to USDA Zone 4, recommended for USDA Zones 4 through 8. Fothergilla major 'Mount Airy' is a smaller form with reliably good fall foliage color.

Mahonia in the Cascadia Garden

 

 Mahonia pinnata 'Ken Hartman' August 2008

Mahonia mairei January 2010

Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape) January 2010

Mahonia mairei June 2009

Mahonia repens July 2010

Mahonia gracilipes October 2010

 Mahonia gracilipes September 2010

These are the Mahonia in my garden in Seattle.  Last summer a garden tourist said to me, 'You have a LOT of Mahonia!'  I didn't think so, because I had only 7 species.  But I think Mahonia is quite conspicuous.  They are always evergreen, often quite large, sometimes spreading.  I do have a lot of Mahonia nervosa because it spreads stoloniferously.  It is not particularly difficult to pull out.  The sharp-toothed leaves of Mahonia can be alarming.  I have seldom been stuck.  But I wouldn't plant it close to the sidewalk.  To my mind, only Mahonia aquifolium has a common name: Oregon Grape.  The word Mahonia is very commonly used, which leads to common names such as Longleaf Mahonia for Mahonia nervosa & Leatherleaf Mahonia for Mahonia bealei.  Why not use the specific epithet & be done with it?  Mahonia generally seems to do well in shade.  Mahonia bealei seems to require shade.  Mahonia aquifolium, Mahonia nervosa & Mahonia pinnata do well in sun.  Mahonia most often bloom in winter or early spring.  They produce beautiful purple fruits during the summer.  These are edible & very tart.  Mahonia gracilipes blooms in fall with very distinctive flowers.  I got Mahonia gracilipes & Mahonia mairei from Heronswood in 2002.  I think they are not easy to find.

List of Mahonia in the Cascadia Garden

Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape): a Pacific Northwest native

Mahonia bealei: from China

Mahonia gracilipes: from China

Mahonia mairei: from China, there is little information about this plant on the web.

Mahonia nervosa: a Pacific Northwest native

Mahonia pinnata ‘Ken Hartman’: a California native

Mahonia repens: a Pacific Northwest native

Shrubs for Shade

Pieris japonica 'Bisbee Dwarf' July 2010

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Somerset' December 2008

Hypericum androsaemum 'Albury Purple' September 2010

Ribes x gordonianum March 2010

Hydrangea quercifolia September 2008

Here are shade-tolerant & shade-loving shrubs selected for beauty, utility & availability in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest & other areas in USDA zone 8.  Most do better in light shade than deep shade.  Camellia, Rhododendron & Pieris benefit from afternoon shade.  I’ve had success with Chamaecyparis obtusa (Hinoki Cypress) & Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Port Orford Cedar) in light shade.  Mahonia, Sarcococca & Vaccinium ovatum (Evergreen Huckleberry) do fairly well in deep shade.  Give Mahonia bealei plenty of shade, other Mahonia tolerate more sun.  Arbutus unedo ‘Compacta’ (Compact Strawberry Tree) Gaultheria shallon (Salal) & Ribes sanguineum (Flowering Currant) are good for dry shade.  Enkianthus, Fuchsia & Sarcococca should not be allowed to dry out in summer.  More shade requires less water.  Most of these should be fairly easy to find.  When local nurseries fail, try mail-order nurseries.  Forest Farm is a good source for uncommon plants.  This list is not meant to provide detailed information on shrubs, but to introduce you to some you may not know, or remind you of those you have forgotten.  Be sure you know how large these shrubs grow before you plant them.  Many shrubs do not look good when sheared or heavily pruned.  An abundance of detailed information is available on the web.  Good reference books on shrubs are The Hillier Gardener's Guide to Trees & Shrubs edited by John Kelly, Shrubs by Roger Phillips & Martyn Rix, Sunset Western Garden Book.

Abelia x grandiflora: for part shade, flowering evergreen

Arbutus unedo ‘Compacta’ (Compact Strawberry Tree): evergreen with flowers & fruit in fall

Aucuba japonica: colorful evergreen foliage
Buxus microphylla (Japanese Boxwood) Buxus sempervirens (Common Boxwood): evergreen, often used for hedges & topiary

Calycanthus floridus (Carolina Allspice) Calycanthus occidentalis (Spice Bush): needs moisture, fragrant

Camellia japonica, Camellia sasanqua

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Ellwoodii’ (Dwarf Port Orford Cedar): & other cultivars, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’ (Dwarf Hinoki Cypress): & other cultivars (note: while these tolerate dry shade, they are probably better with moisture in sun)
Choisya ternata 'Aztec Pearl', Choisya ternata 'Sundance' (Mexican Orange): for part or light shade, tolerates some dryness, fragrant bloom, evergreen

Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet) Clethra barbinervis (Japanese Sweet Shrub) Clethra delavayi, Clethra fargesii: all need moisture, fragrant bloom, fall color
Corylopsis glabrescens: large shrub, Corylopsis pauciflora, Corylopsis sinensis: large shrub, Corylopsis spicata (Winter Hazel): all need moisture, good from, early bloom
Daphne x burkwoodii: for light shade, needs moisture, easier to grow than other Daphne
Disanthus cercidifolius: for light shade, needs moisture, excellent fall color

Enkianthus campanulatus, Enkianthus cernuus rubens, Enkianthus perulatus: all need moisture, showy bloom, good fall color

Euonymus japonicus: many cultivars, good foliage color

Fuchsia magellanica (Hardy Fuchsia): showy bloom, low temperatures can cause damage

Fatsia japonica: large shrub, evergreen
Fothergilla gardenii, Fothergilla major: both need moisture, with fragrant flowers & colorful fall foliage

Gaultheria shallon (Salal): tolerates dryness, spreads widely by stolons, edible fruit

Hamamelis vernalis (Ozark Witch Hazel): fragrant flowers, colorful fall foliage

Holodiscus discolor (Oceanspray): for part shade, tolerates dryness, showy bloom Hydrangea aspera, Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea): for light shade, tolerates dryness, showy bloom

Hypericum androsaemum (St John’s Wort): some cultivars with colorful foliage

Ilex cornuta (Chinese Holly): evergreen, Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly): evergreen, Ilex verticillata (Winterberry): needs moisture, colorful fall foliage & fruit

Illicium anisatum (Japanese Anise) Illicium floridanum (Florida Anise): evergreen, uncommon
Itea ilicifolia: showy bloom, evergreen, uncommon, large shrub, Itea virginica (Sweetspire): fragrant flowers, good fall color, uncommon

Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel): needs moisture, showy bloom

Leucothoe axillaris, Leucothoe walteri: needs moisture, several cultivars with colorful foliage

Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape): tolerates dryness, Mahonia bealei: needs moisture Mahonia repens: tolerates dryness
Myrica californica (California Wax Myrtle): tolerates dryness, large shrub, also grows in sun

Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo): tolerates dryness, 'Plum Passion' has colorful foliage

Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum): tolerates dryness, native plant

Physocarpus capitatus, Physocarpus opulifolius (Ninebark): tolerates dryness, for part shade

Pieris japonica (Lily of the Valley Shrub): tolerates dryness, showy fragrant bloom

Rhododendron: tolerate sun, but better in shade, very many species & cultivars

Ribes sanguineum (Flowering Currant) Ribes odoratum, Ribes x gordonianum: all tolerate dryness, better in light shade

Skimmia japonica: needs moisture, evergreen, female plants have red fruit

Sarcococca confusa, Sarcococca hookeriana, Sarcococca humilis, Sarcococca ruscifolia (Sweet Box): needs moisture, evergreen, very fragrant bloom

Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry): tolerates dryness, white fruit

Taxus x media (Yew): for part shade, evergreen conifer

Thuja koraiensis (Korean Arborvitae) Thuja occidentalis ‘Hetz Midget’ (Dwarf Arborvitae): for part shade, evergreen conifer

Vaccinium ovatum (Evergreen Huckleberry): edible fruit

Viburnum davidii: for part shade, evergreen, blue fruit, Viburnum tinus ‘Spring Bouquet’: for part shade, showy bloom, evergreen

Coenosium Rock Garden

Pinus parviflora 'Ara Kawa' at the Coenosium Rock Garden October 2010

The Coenosium Rock Garden October 2010 

Pinus sylvestris 'Jeremy' at the Coenosium Rock Garden October 2010

Cedrus deodara 'Prostrate Beauty' at the Coenosium Rock Garden October 2010

Pinus flexilis 'Wyoming' at the Coenosium Rock Garden October 2010

Tsuga canadensis 'Kelsey Weeping' at the Coenosium Rock Garden October 2010

 Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph' at the Coenosium Rock Garden October 2010

The Coenosium Rock Garden at the South Seattle Community College Arboretum is a very pleasant place to visit on a rainless day, even better on a rare sunny day, in winter.  It is filled with dwarf conifers that look their best then.  The arboretum is a great place to visit at any time of year.  It will be even better when the Seattle Chinese Garden opens there.  Dwarf conifers are a welcome addition to any Seattle garden, because they look so good in winter, when most other plants are bare, bedraggled or gone.  The conifers at the Coenosium Rock Garden are labeled, so that you can identify favorites to add to your collection. 

Hebe in the Cascadia Garden

Hebe recurva & Daboecia cantabrica 'Rainbow' July 2010
 

Hebe anomala September 2010

Hebe cupressoides September 2010 

 

Hebe glaucophylla September 2010 

Hebe ochracea September 2010 

Hebe x pimeleoides 'Quicksilver' & Calluna vulgaris 'Wickwar Flame' September 2010 

Hebe salicifolia September 2010

Hebe is 1 of my favorite genera, an extremely useful group of shrubs for gardens in Seattle, the coastal Pacific Northwest & northern California.  There are 90 to 100 species of Hebe, all but 1 native to New Zealand.  There are numerous hybrids & cultivars.  Hebe are mostly small shrubs, some low & sprawling.  Some have very lovely flowers, but foliage is the main attraction for most Hebe.  Foliage comes in a range of green & gray, with some red & purple.  Hebe grow quickly, which make them very useful for filling open spaces.  Many Hebe become leggy, which some people find unattractive.  I find this trait an opportunity to weave Hebe together with other open, low-growing shrubs such as Calluna, Cassinia, Daboecia & Olearia.  In my garden I combine Hebe x pimeleoides 'Quicksilver' with Calluna vulgaris 'Wickwar Flame'.  This makes a very eye-catching display of gray & yellow foliage.  It never fails to impress garden visitors.  I appropriated the idea from a garden I once visited & have spread it on to others.  I combine Hebe recurva with Daboecia cantabrica 'Rainbow' & Hebe anomala with Cassinia leptophylla.  Hebe was the ancient Greek goddess of youth.  Homer referred to her as, 'Hebe of the slender ankles.'  These slender ankles (Hebe seldom grow a stout trunk) allow other plants to rub against them like a swarm of friendly cats.  Hebe buxifolia & Hebe topiaria have dense branching patterns that make them useful replacements for Buxus sempervirens & Ilex crenata.  Hebe cupressoides  & Hebe ochracea are known as whipcord Hebe.  They grow in alpine regions of New Zealand.  Many of the other Hebe used in Seattle are sub-alpine in nature.

List of Hebe in the Cascadia Garden

Hebe anomala (removed due to extensive damage 2010)

Hebe cupressoides
Hebe glaucophylla
Hebe 'Hinerua'

Hebe ochracea
Hebe x pimeleoides
Hebe x pimeleoides ‘Quicksilver’
Hebe pinguifolia ‘Pagei’
Hebe recurva  (some damage 2010)
Hebe ‘Red Edge’
Hebe salicifolia  (badly damaged 2010)

Update: In November 2010 there was a hard frost.  Temperatures had been unusually warm, with a high of 56F/13.3C on 11/16, until they dropped to 31F/-0.5C on 11/21, 22F/-5.5C on 11/22, 16F/-8.8C on 11/23, 14F/-10C on 11/24, 28F/-2.2C on 11/25.  Then temperatures were above freezing.  This damaged or killed many plants.  Hebe anomala & Cassinia leptophylla were so badly damaged that I removed them.  Hebe salicifolia was also badly damaged.  Much of the damage didn't show until later in the year, as many branches continued to die.  Hebe recurva had some damage, but recovered well that year.  The rest had no damage at all.  I saw some damage to Hebe topiaria in other gardens.

Ericaceae: The Heath Family

Erica australis February 2009

 

Erica manipuliflora September 2009

Arctostaphylos columbiana April 2009

Rhododendron campylogynum January 2009

Rhododendron yakushimanum May 2009

Ericaceae is an important family of plants for Seattle gardens. Northwest natives, as well as favorites from Europe & Asia are among the ericaceous shrubs. The family was named for the genus Erica (Heath). Most members of the family have clusters of urn-shaped flowers, although some like Rhododendron have bell-shaped flowers, as though the urn had split into lobes. As a family many share a distinctive rounded form & branching pattern. They are mostly evergreen with leathery leaves. There is a great wealth of different & pleasing shrubs among Rhododendron species. The same is true of Arctostaphylos (Manzanita). These 2 thrive in very different environments. The center of Rhododendron diversity is in the moist & forested Himalayas. Manzanitas are centered in the dry chaparral of southwestern North America. Useful Northwest native plants in this family include Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy Manzanita), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick), Arbutus menziesii (Madrona) & Gaultheria shallon (Salal).

Trees

Arbutus menziesii (Madrona)

Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree)

Arbutus ‘Marina’

Rhododendron rex

Shrubs

Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy Manzanita)

Calluna vulgaris (Heather)

Comarostaphylis diversifolia (Summer Holly)

Daboecia cantabrica (Irish Heath)

Enkianthus campanulatus

Erica arborea (Tree Heath)

Gaultheria shallon (Salal)

Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)

Leucothoe walteri

Menziesia ferruginea (Fool’s Huckleberry)

Pieris japonica (Lily of the Valley Shrub)

Pernettya mucronata

Rhododendron yakushimanum

Zenobia pulverulenta

Groundcovers

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick)

Gaultheria procumbens (Wintergreen)

Daboecia cantabrica

 Daboecia cantabrica 'Rainbow' September 2008

Daboecia cantabrica 'Rainbow' & Hebe recurva September 2008

Daboecia cantabrica is a small shrub known commonly as Irish Heath. Dabeoc is an Irish saint. Cantabria is a province of Spain. Daboecia is closely related to Erica (Heath). The flowers are beautiful balloons of rich purple-pink.  They continue to bloom from spring into fall. Daboecia comes in green & variegated selections. A particularly lovely cultivar is ‘Rainbow’ with green, yellow, & a few pink leaves. Combine 'Rainbow' with dwarf conifers with yellow foliage such as Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Lutea Nana’ & Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’.  Or try plants with blue-gray foliage such as Hebe recurva for an interesting contrast.

Shrubs for Sun

Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga' May 2009

Weigela florida 'Variegata' August 2008

Arctostaphylos columbiana April 2009

Juniperus chinensis December 2009

Hydrangea paniculata June 2009

These shrubs for sun are all good plants for gardens in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest & USDA Zone 8. They have good form, lovely flowers, colorful foliage & other characteristics that endear them to many gardeners. Some of these shrubs tolerate dryness, others are xeric plants that prefer well-drained soil. Most of these should be fairly easy to find. When local nurseries fail, try mail-order nurseries.  Forest Farm is a good source for uncommon plants.  This list is not meant to provide detailed information on shrubs, but to introduce you to some you may not know, or remind you of those you have forgotten.  Be sure you know how large these shrubs grow before you plant them.  Many shrubs do not look good when sheared or heavily pruned.  An abundance of detailed information is available on the web.  Good reference books on shrubs are The Hillier Gardener's Guide to Trees & Shrubs edited by John Kelly, Shrubs by Roger Phillips & Martyn Rix, Sunset Western Garden Book.

Abelia chinensis (Chinese Abelia) Abelia 'Edward Goucher', Abelia x grandiflora (Glossy Abelia): tolerates some dryness, showy fall bloom, allow enough room, can be unattractive when pruned, will grow in part shade
Abeliophyllum distichum (White Forsythia): fragrant winter bloom
Abies balsamea 'Nana' (Dwarf Balsam Fir) Abies concolor 'Compacta' (Dwarf White Fir): dwarf evergreen conifers with good form 
Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' (Laceleaf Japanese Maple): several cultivars, grows slowly, but can become quite large

Arbutus unedo ‘Compacta’ (Compact Strawberry Tree): xeric, fall fruit & bloom

Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy Manzanita) Arctostaphylos densiflora (Vine Hill Manzanita): xeric, good structure, nice bark

Berberis darwinii (Darwin's Barberry): showy bloom, evergreen, Berberis thunbergii 'Aurea' (Golden Japanese Barberry) Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy', Berberis thunbergii 'Helmond Pillar', Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow', Berberis thunbergii 'Royal Cloak' (Red Japanese Barberries): good foliage color, barbs a problem only when pruning, wear thick gloves
Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion' (Beautyberry): beautiful fruit, not such a beautiful form, can become large, does not look good when pruned

Callistemon pallidus, Callistemon rigidus, Callistemon sieberi, Callistemon subulatus, Callistemon viridiflorus (Bottlebrush): showy bloom, very uncommon in Seattle

Calluna vulgaris (Heather): many cultivars, showy bloom, good foliage color
Caryopteris x clandonensis (Bluebeard): several cultivars, showy bloom

Ceanothus impressus 'Vandenberg' (Santa Barbara Mountain Lilac) Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Victoria' aka 'Skylark' (Blue Blossom): xeric, showy bloom, not long-lived, these 2 are the most commonly grown in Seattle, others may suffer frost damage
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula' (Weeping Atlas Cedar): blue foliage, interesting form, may need staking when young, can spread widely, but takes well to pruning
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Blue Surprise', Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwoodii' (Dwarf Port Orford Cedar): & other cultivars with slender, upright form, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’ (Dwarf Hinoki Cypress): & other cultivars, good form
Chimonanthus praecox (Wintersweet): fragrant winter bloom

Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange): fragrant

Cistus x hybridus (White Rockrose) Cistus ladanifer (Crimson Spot Rockrose) Cistus x purpureus (Orchid Rockrose): & many other species, xeric, long period of showy bloom, short-lived
Cotinus coggygria (Smoke Bush): tolerates dryness, beautiful foliage & flowers, but often an awkward form
Daboecia cantabrica (Irish Heath): tolerates dryness, long period of bloom
Daphniphyllum macropodum: nice form, evergreen, unusual almost tropical appearance
Deutzia x elegantissima, Deutzia gracilis (Slender Deutzia) Deutzia x hybrida (Hybrid Deutzia) Deutzia x rosea (Pink Deutzia): needs moisture, beautiful bloom, lovely arching form, give it room to spread
Dorycnium hirsutum (Hairy Canary Clover): xeric, small shrub of Mediterranean origin

Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'Gilt Edge' (Ebbinge's Silverberry): thornless, colorful foliage, Elaeagnus pungens 'Variegata' (Thorny Silverberry): & other cultivars, colorful foliage

Erica arborea 'Estrella Gold', Erica australis, Erica carnea, Erica x darleyensis (Heath): & many other species & cultivars, showy bloom, often in winter
Escallonia 'Apple Blossom', Escallonia rubra (Escallonia): & many other cultivars, tolerates dryness, showy mass of flowers
Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush): colorful fall foliage, Euonymus japonicus (Japanese Euonymus): many cultivars with colorful evergreen foliage
Exochorda x macrantha 'The Bride', Exochorda racemosa (Pearl Bush): beautiful but huge, does not take well to pruning, needs moisture

Forsythia:  showy late winter/early spring bloom

Hebe buxifolia, Hebe ochracea, Hebe 'Red Edge', Hebe topiaria: good foliage color, evergreen
Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon): several cultivars, showy bloom
Holodiscus discolor (Ocean Spray): xeric, showy bloom

Hydrangea arborescens, Hydrangea aspera, Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) Hydrangea serrata: showy bloom, fall color, beautiful plants

Hypericum androsaemum 'Albury Purple', Hypericum 'Hidcote', Hypericum x inodorum (St John's Wort): showy bloom, some with colored foliage

Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa' (Hollywood Juniper) Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Point', Juniperus communis 'Compressa' (Dwarf Irish Juniper) Juniperus communis 'Hibernica' (Irish Juniper) Juniperus squamata 'Loderi': tolerates dryness, good form, evergreen, tough
Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) Lavandula dentata (French Lavander)  Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender): xeric, fragrant
Lavatera thuringiaca (Tree Mallow): showy bloom, grows quickly, but short-lived
Lithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides (Dwarf Tanoak): evergreen, uncommon
Lupinus arboreus (Tree Lupine): xeric, very showy bloom, fragrant, short-lived
Magnolia 'Ann', Magnolia 'Betty', Magnolia 'Jane', Magnolia 'Judy', Magnolia liliiflora, Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel', Magnolia 'Pinkie', Magnolia 'Randy', Magnolia 'Ricki', Magnolia sinensis, Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia) Magnolia 'Susan', Magnolia x thompsoniana, Magnolia wilsonii: beautiful flowers, these slowly become large shrubs 
Myrtus communis (Common Myrtle): glossy leaves, striking appearance, evergreen
Olearia x haastii, Olearia x mollis: showy bloom, good foliage color
Neillia affinis, Neillia sinensis: showy bloom, good form, uncommon
Osmanthus x burkwoodii: evergreen, fragrant bloom, Osmanthus delavayi: evergreen, fragrant bloom, Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki': & other cultivars, colorful evergreen foliage

Paeonia suffruticosa: very showy bloom, needs staking, very long-lived
Penstemon pinifolius (Pineleaf Beardtongue): xeric, showy bloom, evergreen
Pernettya mucronata: colorful fruit, several cultivars
Philadelphus coronarius (Common Mock Orange) Philadelphus lewisii (Western Mock Orange): tolerates dryness, showy fragrant bloom
Phlomis fruticosa, Phlomis italica, Phlomis ‘Edward Bowles’ (Jerusalem Sage): xeric, good foliage color & texture
Physocarpus capitatus (Western Ninebark): tolerates dryness, attractive flowers & fruit, Physocarpus opulifolius 'Dart's Gold', Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo' (Eastern Ninebark): colorful foliage, attractive flowers & fruit
Picea abies 'Inversa' (Weeping Norway Spruce) Picea abies 'Nidiformis' (Nest Spruce) Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica' (Dwarf Alberta Spruce) Picea pungens 'Procumbens' (Creeping Colorado Spruce): dwarf evergreen conifers with good form
Pieris japonica (Lily of the Valley Shrub): many cultivars with showy, fragrant bloom, also grows in shade
Pinus mugo var. pumilio, Pinus mugo 'Valley Cushion' (Mugo Pine): tolerates dryness,  good dwarf forms of a small pine
Podocarpus  nivalis (Alpine Totara): good form & foliage, evergreen
Potentilla fruticosa (Cinquefoil):many cultivars, showy bloom
Rosa rugosa: xeric, fragrant, tough, one of the easiest roses to grow

Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary): xeric, fragrant, culinary herb
Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender Cotton): xeric, good foliage color, evergreen
Senecio 'Sunshine' (aka Senecio greyi) Senecio monroi (name changed to Brachyglottis): tolerates dryness, good foliage color

Spiraea japonica (Japanese Spiraea): many cultivars, some with colored foliage, Spiraea prunifolia (Bridalwreath) Spiraea thunbergii, Spiraea trilobata 'Fairy Queen', Spiraea x vanhouttei: showy white flowers

Syringa julianae, Syringa meyeri 'Palibin', Syringa patula 'Miss Kim', Syringa x persica (Persian Lilac) Syringa vulgaris (French Lilac): many cultivars, fragrant, showy bloom
Taxus baccata 'Aurea' (Golden Yew) Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata' (Irish Yew): large, evergreen

Thuja koraiensis (Korean Arborvitae) Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae) Thuja orientalis (Oriental Arborvitae): good form, evergreen, some with gold foliage
Thujopsis dolobrata 'Nana' (Dwarf Deerhorn Cedar): interesting form & texture
Vaccinium ovatum (Evergreen Huckleberry): tolerates dryness, nice foliage, edible fruit

Viburnum davidii, Viburnum opulus (Cranberry Bush) Viburnum plicatum tomentosum (Doublefile Viburnum) Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga', Viburnum tinus 'Spring Bouquet': & other species, showy bloom, some with fall color, some evergreen

Weigela coraeensis, Weigela florida: showy bloom