I am trying to find a shrub or bush for a parking lot in Va.. It must be less than 2' wide and 3-4' in height.

Answer 1

Go to a local flea market. Loripedlum is one of the best plants - and it is pretty. They are expensive in the nurseries, but you should be able to get them from amateur growers at the reasonable price.

Answer 2

Hmmm, a shrub, eh? Be very careful. In the nursery trade, "dwarf" often just means very very very slow-growing! That being said (and not knowing where you live), here are some possibilities that are all zone-4 hardy:

- lowbush blueberries. Never mind the berries - they are ornamental and turn a vivid scarlet in fall.

- flowering quince. Grows to 4', red flowers early summer.

- hydrangea, 'Annabelle'. Habit is more like a flower than a shrub; white flowers late summer.

- Juniper, Blue Star. Low mounded evergreen with bluish foliage.

- Potentilla. Yellow flowers all summer, needs full sun. I call this the "municipal bush" because you see them so often around banks and other civic buildings.

- any of the spirea (Little Princess, Goldmound, etc.) To 3' tall but they will spread to 4-5' wide. Flowers midsummer.

- there's also a dwarf rhododendron. Not sure which cultivar because we're just a bit too cold to grow it here. Ask at your nursery.

If you live in a warmer area you will have additional choices. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

what about a gardenia bush? The smell is wonderful. Crepe Myrtles can be kept trimmed the height you want.Or a hydrangea?

Answer 4

Try a couple holly bushes, one male, one female. They stay nice and green in the winter too. And once it gets to the desired width and height, you can prune it to the shape you wish.

Answer 5

Perenial salvia, or sage is a nice plant that blooms but doesn't have much mess from the small but showing flowers.

Answer 6

rose of sharon, dogwood, purple leaf tree.