I want to plant a large flowering shrub on the west side of the building where it gets morning shade and afternoon sun. I'm thinking about 6-8 ft tall. I'm hoping to have a nice shrub/bush that when I look out my large side living room window, I can see something prettier than worn siding of the house next door. I hope you can give me some ideas. Thanks for all your help. (again) I'm in Abbotsford.
6'-8' = a medium shrub. Frequently offered Edward Goucher abelia is graceful and flowers for a long season, should appreciate the warmth of a wall. The Hillier Manual of Trees & Shrubs calls it "A first class shrub for a small garden".
Thanks again Ron. I googled "Edward Goucher abelia" and it is really beautiful. I'm really certain it will work. What about Mock Orange? I'm wondering if that would work too but I don't know how big it gets.
Lily, the abelia has a more graceful form than mock orange. Many of the deciduous mock orange (philadelphus) are also going to get too large for that space.
I'm of to the nursery this weekend to look for "Edward Goucher abelia. I've looked at lots of images via Google and it really is gorgeous and will look beautiful out my window.
Pink abelia (Abelia 'Edward Goucher') was defoliated by last winter's cold and may therefore not look like much yet at local outlets. Being a summer- and fall-blooming item there may not be stocking of new specimens taking place yet. Maybe make some calls before doing much driving around. Do not buy old specimens left from last year unless these have been overwintered under cover or otherwise prevented from having their roots frozen. Unsold stock that has been in the same pots for months at a retail outlet may also be badly rootbound and/or starved for nutrients, retail outlets not being consistent about fertilization.
Ron, thank you for recommending Abelia 'Edward Goucher'. I will check around as you suggested. Does this shrub take long to grow? Also, I forgot to ask if is pest free or with all those flowers does it get tons of bees/wasps. Just curious. Have a great weekend. I hope the weather improves so we can all get out and play in the dirt. lol
Abelias are fast-growing. Said to attract butterflies but I have not noticed much of this activity. Surely insects do come to the flowers but I have not remembered the plants buzzing with bees in the manner of Cotoneaster horizontalis or Ilex crenata. Any shrub with showy flowers is liable to be insect-pollinated. Those last two don't even have those yet are bee magnets at flowering time.
That's great news. I'm looking forward to seeing this lovely flowering shrub growing outside my window. Thanks for all your expert help as always Ron.
Maybe wait until flowering time and go look at some on display in pots at nurseries or in local landscaping to see if they have too many bees/wasps on them for you.
Hi Ron, I don't mind a few except this shrub will be right next to my sundeck but checking them out is a good idea. I will. Thanks Ron.
