Eagle Lake Nurseries Gardening Tips June 2006 Interesting Spring Shrubs for Calgary When asked to write a feature article about interesting spring shrubs for Calgary, I thought this was an exciting topic to expand on, as they are among the showiest of all the ornamental shrubs. Primarily grown for their great looking flowers, they herald the arrival of spring and early summer. They have profuse, spectacular flowers in May in various colors. A front yard shrubbery bed or side yard border planting on a corner lot improves curb appeal and increases property value. Companion plants could include other ornamentals with the similar cultural requirements of full sun and well-drained soil such as spring flowering bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, and grape hyacinth, as well as herbaceous alpine perennials. Shrub Selections: Northern Gold Forsythia - Forsythia ovata 'Northern Gold' Forsythia, as its old name Golden-bells implies, has showy golden-yellow flowers in early May, which appear before it leafs out. The species name ovata refers to its oval-shaped, green leaves. This specimen shrub that gets about 1.75m high, prefers a sheltered location and tolerates part shade, probably best on the southeast face of a house. Northern Gold is the hardiest Forsythia cultivar for the prairies, especially in Calgary's Chinook zone, which is susceptible to late spring frosts. Double Flowering Plum - Prunus triloba 'Multiplex' Double Flowering Plum displays spectacular double pink flowers in early May, with wooly green leaves similar to a Nanking Cherry. The cultivar 'Multiplex' means double flowers, which are actually sterile so they do not produce fruit. This large specimen shrub that attains about 2m height and 1.5m width, is popular for residential landscapes. Double Flowering Plum needs full sunlight and well-drained soil, as do other Prunus species, including Russian Almond. Russian Almond - Prunus tenella Russian Almond features rosy-pink flowers in early May, followed by fuzzy almonds and scarlet foliage in the fall. This dwarf shrub with narrow green leaves reaches a height and spread of about 1m, and is suitable for mass planting as it has a suckering growth habit. Russian Almond is very hardy, reasonably drought resistant when established as are other Prunus species, and its fuzzy fruit is interesting to children. Lilacs - Syringa species Lilacs are among the most fragrant group of all flowering shrubs, with colorful clusters (panicles), ranging from various shades of purple to pink to white. Lilacs, like Prunus species, need well-drained soil and full sunlight to maximize blooming. Prune off seed heads after blossoming in the summer, before they set flower buds for the next spring. Hyacinth-flowered Lilac - Syringa x hyacinthiflora These lilacs, which are a cross of the Common Lilac - S. vulgaris, so they have heart-shaped leaves, and Korean Early Lilac - S. oblate dilatata, are the earliest flowering, about a week or two before the French Hybrids. They are tall shrubs, attaining 3m height, suitable for the back of a bed or border; and they produce large clusters of single fragrant flowers. Cultivars Available: Mount Baker is floriferous with white clusters. Pocahontas exhibits violet purple flower clusters. Miss Kim - Syringa patula 'Miss Kim' Lavender purple, fragrant flower clusters later in spring extend the blooming period of other Lilacs. Miss Kim is mid-sized, about 1.75m high, and has pointed green leaves. An added bonus of Miss Kim and Pocahontas Lilac is that they get purplish-colored fall leaves. Dwarf Korean - Syringa meyeri 'Palibin' Also known as the Little-Leaf Lilac, it is a compact dwarf shrub growing to 1.5m height and spread; so it is useful for small spaces or a low unsheared hedge. Pinkish-purple, floret clusters occur later in May. French Hybrid Lilacs - Syringa vulgaris Old-fashioned favorites, French Hybrid Lilacs have heart-shaped leaves. Commonly blooming towards the end of May in Calgary, they produce clusters of double or single, fragrant flowers. They are also tall shrubs, achieving 3m in height, therefore they are worthwhile as background plants. Best Cultivars Available: Beauty of Moscow has pinkish-white, double flowers. Belle de Nancy has pink, double flowers. Charles Joly has reddish-purple, double flowers. Congo has the deepest purple, single flowers. Edith Cavell has pure white, double flowers. Katherine Havermeyer has bluish-pink, double flowers. Ludwig Spaeth has lilac purple, single white flowers. Madame Lemoine has creamy white, double flowers. President Grevy has bluish-purple, double flowers. President Lincoln has bluish, single flowers. Sensation has purple flowers with a unique white edge. Wedgewood Blue has wedgewood blue, single flowers. Wayne Bishop Eagle Lake Nurseries Ltd.