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Shrubs for Xeriscaping
can range in size from sub shrubs such as Paxistima canbyi, to Jostaberry. The range of types and growth habits is as wide.Most shrubs with good drought tolerance and other drought smart strategies tend to grow slowly and require little in the way of pruning except for shaping. Most combine well with other xeric plants and groundcovers. Many are useful in hedgerows and shelterbelts or grown for use in rustic crafts. In addition to attracting birds and wildlife, they can also be beautiful either in bloom, autumn colour or as winter silhouettes. All the shrubs on this list are hardy to Zone 5b using
this map.
Amelanchier alnifolia or Saskatoon berry as it's known, is one of the most beautiful shrubs, especially in spring when it blooms with the purest white flower. It forms a thicket of architectural grey trunks, and the wood is extremely hard and durable. I use it a lot for making twig items such as handles for tools or planters. Following the blooms are dark blue berries, which usually are taken by birds or chipmunks before I get a chance to pick them.
Diervilla - In spring, pale peach flushed green foliage emerges, followed by tiny yellow flowers. Very tough, but fresh looking all summer.
Halodendron halimodendron is the Siberian saltbush, known for it's tolerance for road salt or beach sand, as well as cold hardiness. The spines are a little off-putting, great for keeping dogs or wildlife away, but the surprise of their purple pea like blooms makes up for it's prickliness.
Paxistima canbyi - also known as rat stripper, cliff green or dwarf mountain lover. How many odd common names does one little plant need? Low, wiry, very flexible branches used in the florist trade for filler in bouquets; it's collected in the wild by wildcrafters.
Paxistima myrsinites - larger version of the above, this one gets its name from the delicate, elusive scent of the almost invisible pink flowers in spring. Also used by florists; both of these shrubs have a very long shelf life once cut, making them a very desirable addition to floral displays.
Quercus gambellii - rocky mountain oak has leaves like Quercus robur, the English oak. This shrub puts out one flush of growth per growing season, and the leaves stay amazingly fresh, to turn ochre in autumn.
Ribes Jostaberry - cross between black currants and gooseberry, these are much nicer than you'd imagine. They have interesting lobed leaves which turn a lovely pink in fall and fruits that look like black grapes. These make excellent jelly.
Spiraea ‘Golden Princess’ - Along with many other spirea, this one is hardy, water wise and amenable to hard pruning. Very pretty in bloom or out.
Taxus ‘Hicksii’ - Hicks yew, is used a lot for hedging as it takes any kind of abuse such as severe pruning. It will make lush new growth out of even very woody older branches.
go to Drought Smart Plants home page
go to Xeric Gardens page
go to Xeriscape Design page
go to Xeric Plants page
go to Groundcovers for Xeriscaping page
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