Chicago Lustre Viburnum is covered in stunning creamy white flat-top flowers at the ends of the branches in late spring. The royal blue fruits are held in abundance in spectacular clusters from early to late fall. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The serrated oval leaves turn an outstanding deep purple in the fall. Native to Southern Illinois.

Mature Height: 8’ to 12’

Mature Width: 6’ to 10’

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Well-drained soil

Hardiness zone: 3 - 8

Tuxedo Weigela features showy clusters of fragrant creamy white trumpet-shaped flowers along the branches from early summer to early fall. It has dark green foliage with hints of black which emerges burgundy in spring. The serrated pointy leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.

Beautiful, large, violet blue or rose pink blooms, depending on soil type; blooms on both old and new wood all summer long; sturdy ruby red stems, glossy deep green leaves turn burgundy-red in fall to offer year-round interest

Striking deep red flower heads on tall, sturdy stems, over striking silvery-green leaves; excellent for xeriscaping and hot, sunny, dry locations in the garden; performs well on hot sites

Incredibly dark stems emerge from the ground in spring, producing olive green leaves with silver veins; beautiful periwinkle blue, star-shaped flowers in springtime, on a wide, mounding, shrubby habit; does best in moist, well-drained soil

This bold garden perennial features very showy deep red flowers; attractive, glossy, deep violet-purple leaves that mature to green; ideal for the mixed garden border or in mass; do not allow to dry to wilting point

This small ornamental tree is renowned for its exfoliating (peeling) bark in cinnamon red, pink and tan, along with good fall color. The compound leaves turn outstanding shades of orange and indian red in the fall. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed.. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground.

Frans Fontaine Hornbeam is primarily valued in the landscape for its rigidly columnar form. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The glossy pointy leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The smooth gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Fire King Hornbeam is a tough, refined small tree with a neat, upright form and dense, clean foliage. Its dark green leaves turn warm shades of orange, gold, and copper in fall, lending a fiery glow to the autumn garden. A durable, adaptable selection, it tolerates a range of soils and makes an excellent hedge, screen, or specimen. Plant it in sun to part shade, where its tidy habit needs little pruning. The smooth gray bark adds quiet interest through winter. For dependable structure and warm fall color, Fire King is a standout.

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood has clusters of yellow flowers along the branches from late winter to early spring before the leaves. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. It produces red berries from early to mid summer. The peeling brown bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Venus Flowering Dogwood is smothered in stunning clusters of white flowers with white bracts held atop the branches in late spring. It has attractive dark green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding red in the fall. It features an abundance of magnificent red berries in late fall. The peeling gray bark and antique red branches are extremely showy and add significant winter interest.

Young Lady Smokebush features airy panicles of salmon flowers with rose stalks at the ends of the branches from early to late summer. It has emerald green deciduous foliage. The round leaves turn an outstanding scarlet in the fall.

Bottlebrush Buckeye features showy spikes of white flowers with red anthers rising above the foliage in early summer. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The large palmate leaves turn yellow in fall. This is a dense spreading deciduous shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its strikingly bold and coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced landscape composition

Sugar Shack® Button Bush features unusual racemes of fragrant creamy white ball-shaped flowers along the branches from early to late summer, which emerge from distinctive buttery yellow flower buds. It has green foliage throughout the season. The glossy pointy leaves turn coppery-bronze in fall. The red fruits are held in clusters in mid fall. Sugar Shack is a smaller, more compact version of the native Buttonbush. Buttonbush is common and widely distributed in Illinois, often found in wet areas like swamps, bogs, and along water corridors.

Cotoneaster acutifolius, commonly called Peking cotoneaster, is an upright, deciduous shrub with a rounded top that typically grows to 6-10’ tall and as wide. It is noted for its pubescent twigs, pinkish-white spring flowers, dull green foliage, interesting fall color and persistent black fruits. Small, 5-petaled, white flowers with tinges of pink bloom in spring (May-June).

Peach Kisses Weigela is a fresh, cheerful reblooming selection that fills the spring and summer garden with generous clusters of warm peachy-pink trumpet flowers that hummingbirds visit eagerly from the first bloom through the extended season. Compact and tidy at 3–5 feet tall and wide with a rounded mounding form, it fits beautifully in borders or as a small flowering accent in full sun. Foliage remains clean and handsome through the season, transitioning to warm red-burgundy and copper-bronze tones in fall. Resistant to deer, rabbits, insects, and disease, and tolerant of Black Walnut, it’s a carefree performer that asks very little and gives back generously. The reblooming habit makes it especially valuable for gardeners who want sustained color beyond the typical spring flowering window. A sweet, reliable shrub with genuine multi-season appeal.

Concord Grape Spiderwort has masses of beautiful clusters of purple flowers at the ends of the stems from early to late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its attractive grassy leaves remain bluish-green in color throughout the season.

An absolute breakthrough for this much-desired species, this spectacular summer-bloomer is very hardy, and produces large, intensely colored raspberry red or neon purple globe-shaped flowers; a compact growing selection with dark green glossy leaves Summer Crush ® Hydrangea features bold balls of ruby-red flowers with red overtones at the ends of the branches from early summer to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has forest green foliage throughout the season. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage. This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates.

A lovely upright perennial with beautiful black licorice-scented leaves and lavender-blue blooms from summer to fall; drought tolerant, a wonderful addition to garden beds, containers or used in cut flower arrangements; low maintenance and easy to grow

Krossa Regal Hosta features dainty spikes of lavender bell-shaped flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. Its attractive enormous textured heart-shaped leaves remain silvery blue in color throughout the season.

Lois Magnolia is covered in stunning fragrant yellow cup-shaped flowers with buttery yellow overtones held atop the branches in mid spring before the leaves. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The large pointy leaves turn coppery-bronze in fall.