The shrubs were sensational this year, and we had some top trees as well! Keep reading to find out more about some of our favorite varieties that were available in 2023.
1. Rose Petite Knock Out®- This is the first ever dwarf Knock Out®! It sports rich red flowers atop dark green, extremely glossy foliage. Just like other Knock Out® roses, it is disease resistant and it blooms profusely and continuously throughout the growing season. Only reaching a mature height and width of 18″, this cute little rose can fit just about anywhere. It makes a great container plant all by itself or in combination with other colors and textures. Grows in full sun and is hardy to Zone 4.
2. Hydrangea Fire Light Tidbit®- If you thought panicle hydrangeas were too large for your yard or garden, Fire Light Tidbit® is here to help. Growing only 2-3′ tall and wide, this tiny dwarf sports tons of pure white mophead flowers on strong stems. As the summer progresses, the flowers begin to develop bright pink and red tones, which stay colorful right up to a hard frost, especially combined with its colorful autumn foliage, an unusual trait in panicle hydrangeas. Flowers hold their color best if planted in some afternoon shade. Hardy to Zone 3.
3.Hydrangea Little Lime Punch®- This new, compact hydrangea has already packed a punch! Blooms emerge lime green and transition to a gorgeous array of white, light pink, and rich Hawaiian Punch red. These four colors mix throughout the summer as it reblooms. The bright colors of Little Lime Punch® hold best when grown in afternoon shade. This panicle hydrangea grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, and it is hardy to Zone 3.
4. One of Rich Hornbaker’s favorite newer shrubs is a doozie. Spirea ‘Double Play Doozie’ that is. In general, spireas are a safe bet. They’re hardy, drought tolerant, pest resistant and easily maintained with one or two trimmings a year. ‘Double Play Doozie’ flushes out in the spring with new growth that is bright red and turns to a deep green with age. Rich red flowers follow in late spring. Once it’s done blooming, it can be cut back to encourage a second or even third flush of growth and flowers. This spirea grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide in full sun.
5. Aronia Low Scape® Mound- Cute as a button and tough as nails, this low-growing shrub is perfect for mass planting as a ground cover or edging plant. The glossy green foliage is covered with lots of white spring flowers. Black fruit in late summer provides food for birds. Intense red fall foliage color is a fantastic bonus. This shrub grows into a tidy mound 1-2′ tall and wide and is hardy to Zone 3.
The garden center opens April 10, 2024. Watch for new additions to our inventory on shop.hornbakergardens.com. Find out about our top 5 perennials and top hostas on the Hornbaker Highlights webpage.