Sneak peek: shrubs

Blue Balloon bluebeard
The growth habit of Monrovia’s new bluebeard (Caryopteris × clandonensis ‘Korball’) is spherical, like a blue balloon, when in full bloom. The deep blue flowers appear from August through September and are attractive to butterflies and bumblebees. The leaves, which are dark green with silvery hairs beneath, emit a lavender fragrance. Blue Balloon grows best in fertile, well-drained soil and full sun. It’s hardy in Zones 6-9.
 
www.monrovia.com

Endless Summer Bella Anna hydrangea
Bella Anna features large pink mophead flowers. This hardy, reliable hydrangea from Bailey Nurseries keeps blooming from early summer through fall. Breeder Michael Dirr and his team at Plant Introductions selected Bella Anna. It grows 3 feet high and wide. In the landscape, use as a stand-alone plant, or plant in groups for a stunning back border. It grows best in full sun to part shade and is hardy in Zones 3-9. 
 
www.baileynurseries.com

Little Lime hydrangea
Proven Winners ColorChoice released Little Lime, a dwarf form of ‘Limelight.’ It’s one-third of the size of traditional hardy hydrangeas, growing from 36-60 inches high. Little Lime’s flowers open soft green in summer and turn pink and burgundy in the fall. It blooms on new wood, and grows best in full sun or part shade. It’s hardy in Zones 3-9.
 
www.provenwinners.com
 

Micron Holly dwarf yaupon holly
Garden Debut’s Micron Holly is much more compact, growing to 20-30 inches high and 3 feet wide. It also has smaller leaves than the typical dwarf yaupon. It’s hardy in Zones 5-7. It grows well in full sun to shade and in wet or dry soils. Use this deer-resistant variety as a small hedge,  as foundation plantings or massed on slopes. 
 
www.gardendebut.com

Orange Rocket barberry
PlantHaven’s new barberry has been trialed extensively throughout the U.S. with excellent results in all climate zones. Orange Rocket features vibrant, coral-orange new foliage that ages to mid-green. Grow it in full sun for the best foliage color. It has an unusual tight, columnar habit and grows to 4 feet tall at maturity. This rust-resistant variety is hardy to Zone 5 and is drought tolerant once established. Orange Rocket was bred by Michal Andrusiv from the Czech Republic.
 www.planthaven.com