Flowering Shrubs

Just wanted to give you a quick update on a few of my personal favourite flowering shrubs that we have in the Garden Centre for you.

Bloomerang Lilac

Bloomerang Lilac available at the Glasshouse Nursery

This relatively new dwarf mauve Lilac has become quite well known over the past few years. It continues to bloom fragrantly from early spring through early summer, takes a short rest in mid-summer and then re-blooms well into the fall. Growing to just a couple feet tall it is useful in shrub or perennial borders or even large containers. Enjoy the butterflies and hummingbirds it will attract or cut the blooms and bring them into the house. Deadheading will force even more blooms!

Sonic Bloom Weigela

In the gardening world, we're excited about the new Sonic Bloom Weigela series. Weigela are natural bouquets of colour in spring. This new variety for 2013 has a very high bud count. A burst of spring bloom followed by waves of re-bloom until frost will be a delight to the eyes and the butterflies. Available now in red, pearl and pink.

Magic Carpet Spirea

Bluebeard Caryopteris available at
The Glasshouse Nursery & Garden Centre

The first thing that comes to mind at the sound of spirea is a waterfall of confetti. We all have memories of the old-fashioned Bridal Wreath spirea. With the name being the only similarity, Magic Carpet forms a low perfect mound of bronze and copper foliage in early spring. Dark rich pink blossoms cover the plant in May. The trick is to trim down the spent blooms in June and watch it do it all over again. The most manageable of all dwarf shrubs and far superior to any of its predecessors, this plant will surely stand the test of time in many gardens.

Bluebeard Caryopteris

Every shrub garden needs Caryopteris. "Variety is the spice of life" and this is what Bluebeard is to the garden. The rare blue fluorescent flowers contrast with its rich glossy green leaves. Blooming mid-summer to late fall, Bluebeard fills a gap when many shrubs are past their prime. Caryopteris provides the ideal compliment to autumn's yellows, oranges and reds and is another reason for the birds and butterflies to come visit.