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Shrubs

Fragrant Sumac 'Konza'
USDA hardiness zones: 5 to 9
Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica is native to much of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. 'Konza' is a deciduous variety of fragrant sumac that grows to about 9 feet tall, fruits heavily and has dark red foliage in fall. Use 'Konza' in borders or hedges, or as foundation plants. In the trials, 'Konza' has adapted well to a wide variety of climates and soil types, and has been particularly drought tolerant. Fully hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, 'Konza suffered winter twig injury in the trials in USDA zones 3 and 4.

Silver Buffaloberry 'Sakakawea'
Hardiness zones: 2 to 6
Silver Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) is native to the North American plains from Manitoba to Kansas and Nevada. It's a large shrub (up to 20 feet tall) with silvery leaves, similar in appearance to Russian olive. Its fruits are red to orange-red. Use it for windbreaks, hedges and specimens. It grows well in poor, alkaline soils and dry conditions, as well as in fertile soils and those with lower (more acidic) pH. Developed at the USDA's Bismarck, ND Plant Materials Center, 'Sakakawea' should perform well in the central regions of the United States and, if planted in well-drained soil, in other areas of the United States and southern Canada from USDA zones 2b to 6b.

Red Osier Dogwood 'Cardinal'
Hardiness zones: 3 to 5
Red Osier Dogwood (Comus sericea), which grows up to 10 feet tall and to 12 feet wide, is found from Newfoundland to Manitoba and on to the Pacific Northwest, and south to Virginia and New Mexico. Researchers at the University of Minnesota shrub-breeding program selected 'Cardinal' for its bright, cherry red twig color, which is a stand-out in the winter landscape. Its leaves also turn bright red in fall. 'Cardinal' has the most dramatic visual impact when planted as massings and screens, but the plants can also be used individually. As you might expect from a plant bred in Minnesota, 'Cardinal' is very winter hardy and performs well throughout the eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. It also fares well in western North America where moisture is adequate.

Silky Dogwood 'Indigo'
Hardiness zones: 4 to 9
Silky Dogwood (Comus amomum) is a native shrub of eastern and north-central United States and southeastern and south-central Canada. 'Indigo', selected at the NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center, East Lansing, Michigan, is a dense, multistemmed shrub that can grow to 10 feet tall. The stems are red when young but turn brown and gray as they mature. Yellowish-white flowers bloom in mid-June. Abundant fruit is often produced, and the fruit ripens in September. The fruit is pale to dark blue and about a quarter-inch in diameter. 'Indigo' is adapted to a wide range of soils and grows from somewhat poorly drained to well drained sites. It has shown slight leaf chlorosis in alkaline soil. It is moderately shade tolerant, but not drought tolerant.

Ninebark 'Nugget'
Hardiness zones: 3 to 6
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a popular shrub native to northeastern and north-central United States and southeastern and south-central Canada. 'Nugget' is a fine textured, compact (5 feet by 3 feet) plant with lime-green colored leaves. Its clusters of small whitish flowers open in early summer. 'Nugget' is best used in borders, massings and hedges.

Viburnum 'Emerald Triumph'
Hardiness zones: 3 to 7
Viburnum 'Emerald Triumph' is a cross of Viburnum burejaeticum and Viburnum 'Allegheny'. It has a compact habit—10 feet high and wide—glossy, dark green foliage and white, nearly flat clusters of flowers in late spring. Its fruit begin to turn bright red in early August and gradually turning black by mid-autumn. South of USDA zone 4, the fall color is bronze to dark red. Above zone 5, the fall color may not have time to develop prior to the first hard freeze of autumn. 'Emerald Triumph' should perform well throughout the eastern half of the United States, the west coast and in the Great Plains and Basin areas with adequate moisture and protection.

Barberry 'Emerald Carousel'
Hardiness zones: 3 to 8
'Emerald Carousel' barberry (Berberis koreana x thunbergii) is an attractive hybrid between two widely grown barberries. In spring, its foliage is yellow edged in red, then it darkens to bright green as the season progresses. Small golden-yellow flowers hang in clusters from the arching branches in midspring. 'Emerald Carousel' bears clusters of eye-catching red fruits. It grows to about 3 feet tall. 'Emerald Carousel' should be adapted to most of the eastern half of the United States and throughout much of the West with adequate moisture.

Weigela 'White Knight'
Hardiness zones: 3 to 8
'White Knight' Weigela (Weigela florida) is the product of crossing two unpatented weigela varieties. Its winter hardiness and mild fragrance distinguish it from all other common, white flowered Weigela. Its flowers are funnel- shaped, borne the length of upright stems, and begin as pinkish-white buds opening, in USDA zone 5, to pure white flowers in late May or early June. Its foliage is a medium green and virtually free of insects and diseases. 'White Knight' can withstand judicious pruning to alleviate any unsightly appearance after a rigorous winter. Use 'White Knight' for hedging, massing, or as an accent around building foundations. It typically reaches about 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide.

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