I have a spot that I'm wanting to put in a shrub. I'm thinking something with white blooms since everything else in that area is pink, purple, yellow and red. I really want something that is evergreen. I'm in Zone 8 in SE Texas (between Beaumont and Houston). The area gets full sun and gets no protection from the freezing north winds. Yes... it freezes down here. :-D My first thought was a Gardenia, but I have one not far from this location that has been struggling with our winters. Thanks in advance for any ideas to guide me in my search.
Ligustrum vulgare (Wild Privet) Smells wonderful in Spring when it blooms, evergreen year round. I love mine. Viburnum opulus (Snowball Bush) Viburnum lantana 'Mohican' (Mohican Viburnum, Wayfaring Viburnum) Philadelphus virginalis (Mock Orange) Rhododendron arborescens (Sweet Azalea, Smooth Azalea) Hydrangea paniculata (Panicled Hydrangea) Cornus alba (Redtwig Dogwood) isn't evergreen but the red twigs in winter are very pretty. Viburnum x rhytidophylloides 'Alleghany' ( Lantanaphyllum Viburnum, Leatherleaf Viburnum)
Thanks Toni and Jane... I'll look further into them... but at first glance, I sure like that Snowball Bush!
Red twig dogwood is interesting looking, but spreads quickly. At least mine did. So fast that I tore it out within a about two years.
I've found a couple more to look into.... Cenizo Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas Sage bush “White Cloud”) and Erica cinerea 'Alba Minor' Bell Heather Anybody have experience with these?
Not sure a heather will grow in Texas. Mexican Heather that you find in the garden centers is a false heather, a Cuphea, same Genus as the Bat-faced Cuphea. The Leucophyllum frutescens 'White Cloud' should do just fine as long as you have poor alkaline soil. It will be semi-evergreen in winter but does well down to 5 Deg...how often do we reach a temp that low our part of Texas Cenzio is a common name for Texas Sage so when you look for this plant look for Leucophyllum frutescens 'White Cloud'
Okay... what about a Knockout Rose? I haven't had a whole lotta experience with roses. Just basically tried to save a few abandoned ones. Knock Outs are supposed to be easy to grow/maintain, right? I did an online search for a white one and found "White Out Rose". Anybody have white roses growing and could recommend something that would survive ME?
Knock out Roses are labeled a Texas Superstar by Texas A & M they are so well adapted to our weather and pretty much take care of themselves.
Cherylad, I thought you were looking for some EVERGREEN??? I'm not sure any of these choices are so. Except for the Ligustrum... but I don't really consider it an "ornamental" nor do I love its scent. And that last Viburnum rhy... (too tough a spelling for me). Over here, I don't think we have an evergreen that I would love to have. Most are deciduous. Well, maybe you could grow a Magnolia grandiflora -but it does take space and it's not really a shrub. I just love its leaves and WHITE HUGE blooms Just trying to help...
Thanks Calin... I'd love to have a Magnolia... those blooms are heavenly. But like you said... they take a lot of room... and there's not really a spot for one... especially the one I'm trying to fill.
I haven't had any experience with the White Cloud cenizo, but we had the blue/purple blooming one when we lived in town. It was a magnet for powdery mildew, and also needed to be clipped back frequently (they tend to get leggy and empty in the center). I'm not a fan of Texas Sage! The rose won't be evergreen, but darned near. Our roses lose leaves in December, and put them on again in February. They aren't Knockouts, however.
