No garden is complete without this star performer! Miss Kim is a dwarf lilac ideal for natural hedging, massing, or used as an accent or specimen. Stout stems clothed in mildew-resistant dark green leaves spread at a moderate rate into a uniformly rounded form - with no pruning needed! In May, a profusion of sweetly fragrant whitish-blue clusters bloom at the branch tips. Fall leaves usually turn interesting shades of burgundy and yellow, which is really good for a lilac. Lilacs form next spring's flower buds on this year's growth so make sure you trim within 6 weeks after flowering so as not to cut off next year's flower buds. Quite adaptable to different soils, provided they're not soggy.

Citrus Swizzle Forsythia has creamy white-variegated forest green foliage which emerges chartreuse in spring on a plant with a mounded habit of growth. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding burgundy in the fall.

Gold Mound Spirea earns its name with a season-long show of brilliant golden-yellow foliage that lights up borders and mixed plantings from spring through fall. At just 24–36 inches tall and 3–5 feet wide, this tidy mounding shrub is perfectly scaled for edging beds or anchoring a mass planting in full sun. Soft pink flowers appear in summer, hovering above the glowing foliage in a charming contrast. Fall brings a warm golden finish before the leaves drop, extending the interest well into autumn. Resistant to deer, insects, and disease, it’s a dependable performer that handles tough spots without complaint. It tolerates Black Walnut, making it a flexible choice for challenging garden sites. A go-to shrub for a burst of low-maintenance color all season long.

Steeplebush has spires of showy pink flowers and beautiful foliage that turns bright gold and auburn in fall. This native forms a colony of upright, slender, wand-like plants. Plant it three feet on center to create a low hedge. Requires a moist setting and is well suited for planting along around ponds, in rain gardens, in naturalized swale or detention areas, or included in a water garden/feature.

It prefers full sun, but light shade is ok. Faded flower clusters can be removed to encourage additional bloom. It flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed.

Wine & Spirits® Weigela features showy clusters of white trumpet-shaped flowers along the branches from late spring to early summer, which emerge from distinctive light green flower buds. It has attractive burgundy-variegated dark green foliage. The pointy leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding deep purple in the fall. The smooth gray bark and dark red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Boyne Raspberry is a cold-hardy, early-bearing variety that delivers reliable crops of medium-sized, sweet, juicy red berries beginning in early to midsummer. Named after a river in Manitoba, it was bred for exceptional winter hardiness — a natural choice for northern gardens where other varieties struggle to thrive. The upright-trailing canes grow 3–5 feet tall and produce best with light support and full sun exposure. Disease-resistant and proven over decades of performance, Boyne is a no-fuss fruiting shrub that rewards gardeners with a dependable summer harvest year after year. White spring flowers bring pollinators and butterflies before the fruit sets. A true workhorse variety for anyone serious about growing raspberries in cold climates.

Honeycomb^® Ninebark makes a statement with large, vibrant, chartreuse leaves that hold their color all season long, even in full sun. In the spring, white flowers provide lovely contrast to the leaves, and in the fall, gold leaves provide stunning fall interest. Maturing at 4-6 feet tall and 5-7 feet wide, Honeycomb^® makes for a beautiful hedge or color block along a fence line.

Sonic Bloom® Punch Weigela brings big energy to the garden with a spectacular spring flush of rich punch-pink trumpet flowers that completely cover the foliage, followed by a generous rebloom in late summer through fall. Growing 3–5 feet tall and wide in a compact mounding form, it’s ideal for borders and mixed plantings in full sun where its bold color can shine. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and birds are drawn to the flowers through both the spring and rebloom periods. The foliage carries a handsome bronze tint that complements the vivid blooms, then transitions to copper-bronze tones in autumn. Resistant to deer, rabbits, insects, and disease, it’s a reliable, low-maintenance performer. A high-impact, reblooming choice for gardeners who want maximum color and wildlife activity throughout the season.

Spirea, Grefsheim in a mature size (5-gallon) is on sale for only $34.99. This intricate white color will instantly add elegance to your garden.

Grefsheim Spirea is clothed in stunning white flowers along the branches in early spring before the leaves. It has bluish-green deciduous foliage. The small narrow leaves turn coppery-bronze in fall.

Dart's Gold Ninebark features showy clusters of white flowers at the ends of the branches from late spring to early summer. It has attractive chartreuse deciduous foliage which emerges gold in spring. The serrated lobed leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding orange in the fall. It produces red capsules from early to mid fall. The peeling tan bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

An uncommon shrub with many ornamental qualities; radiant yellow flowers in early spring before the leaves followed by showy red berries in fall, beautiful gold fall color and fragrant foliage; a shapely garden shrub, blends nicely into natural settings

Encore Raspberry is a late-season primocane variety prized for its generous clusters of sweet, juicy red berries that ripen from midsummer through fall, extending the fresh raspberry season later than most varieties. The upright canes reach 3–5 feet tall and wide, fitting neatly into garden borders or dedicated raspberry beds in full sun. White spring flowers attract pollinators before the berries set, and birds are always eager to share in the harvest. Disease-resistant and cold-hardy, it’s a reliable, low-maintenance choice that rewards minimal care with a maximum harvest. Plant it alongside an earlier-ripening variety for a nearly continuous supply of fresh raspberries through the growing season. A rewarding addition to any edible garden.

Minuet Weigela features showy clusters of ruby-red trumpet-shaped flowers with purple overtones and yellow throats along the branches in late spring. It has attractive white deciduous foliage which emerges deep purple in spring. The pointy leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall color.

Northern Bayberry is a rugged native shrub prized for the clusters of waxy, aromatic gray-blue berries that cling to branches all winter and have been used for centuries to make fragrant candles. Exceptionally adaptable, it thrives in poor, sandy, and salty soils where most shrubs struggle, making it a go-to for coastal plantings, windswept slopes, and erosion control. The aromatic semi-evergreen foliage holds late into fall before giving way to persistent berry clusters that cedar waxwings, yellow-rumped warblers, and other birds rely on for cold-season fuel. Deer, rabbit, pest, and disease resistant — tolerant of salt, Black Walnut root competition, and difficult ground — it spreads into effective colonies and earns its keep in hedges, mass plantings, and naturalized areas.

A good durable utility shrub with bronze tinged foliage and small yellow flowers. Tolerant of adverse conditions. Bush Honeysuckle has attractive dark green foliage which emerges burgundy in spring. It has lemon yellow trumpet-shaped flowers along the branches in early summer.

Common Witchhazel has fragrant yellow strap-like flowers along the branches in late fall before the leaves, which are interesting on close inspection. It has green deciduous foliage. The serrated round leaves turn an outstanding yellow in the fall.

Staghorn Sumac is a bold, architectural native that earns its name from the velvety, antler-like branches that give the plant a distinctive year-round presence. The dramatic tropical-looking compound leaves — sometimes 18–24 inches long — turn an extraordinary range of scarlet, orange, and gold in autumn, making this one of the most spectacular fall color shrubs native to the Great Lakes region. Dense, upright cones of deep red velvet fruit persist through winter, drawing birds and providing an ornamental focal point when the landscape is otherwise bare. Exceptionally tough, drought tolerant once established, and spreading naturally into colonies, it’s ideal for naturalizing slopes, banks, and areas where erosion control with a native plant is the goal.

An attractive garden shrub featuring showy flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers in late spring followed by bluish-black berries, attractive to birds, excellent fall color; an upright spreading shrub, rugged and adaptable, ideal as a natural hedge.

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

A compact garden shrub covered in showy flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers in late spring followed by striking blue berries, attractive to birds, reliable fall color; a rugged and adaptable shrub, ideal for the garden or as a natural hedge. Large, lustrous dark green leaves with orange to red-purple fall color. Creamy white, flat-topped June flowers followed by dark blue fruit clusters. For a spectacular berry display pollinate with Little Joe.

Blackhaw Viburnum features showy creamy white flat-top flowers at the ends of the branches in mid spring. The royal blue fruits are held in abundance in spectacular clusters from early fall to late winter. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding purple in the fall.

Spiraea japonica ‘Macrophylla’ sets itself apart from typical Japanese spireas with bold, large leaves that give the plant exceptional presence and texture in the landscape. Flat-topped clusters of white flowers appear in summer, drawing butterflies and adding brightness to the shrub border while the distinctive foliage carries the show throughout the season. Fall color is a genuine highlight — the large leaves transition to deep red-burgundy and warm copper tones that make this variety stand out well into autumn. Deer, rabbit, pest, and disease resistant, and tolerant of Black Walnut root competition, it’s a reliable choice for borders, hedges, and mass plantings where bold foliar texture makes a statement.

Diabolo Ninebark features showy clusters of white flowers at the ends of the branches from late spring to early summer, which emerge from distinctive pink flower buds. It has attractive deep purple deciduous foliage which emerges burgundy in spring. The serrated lobed leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding red in the fall. It features abundant showy red capsules from early to mid fall. The peeling tan bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Blue Moon Wisteria is draped in stunning chains of fragrant lavender pea-like flowers with powder blue overtones hanging below the branches from mid to late spring. It has green deciduous foliage which emerges coppery-bronze in spring. The narrow pinnately compound leaves turn yellow in fall.