Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Julie z3-4 WI on February 28, 2011 at 8:45pm

golden lights azaleas are bred for zone 4 but you've got to have correct pH or the will not be happy (subsequently neither will you).  Spirea is one of my all time favorites, lilacs - both hardy and dependable.  Hydrangea, but again slightly finicky on the pH.  Honeysuckle is happy in a zone 4, and grow ramply wild here in WI (I am right on the verge of zone 3). "burning bush", flowering crab (my favorite tree, stays relatively small).

This is about all I can think of.  I traded a friend landscaping for one of the rhododendrons - she claimed they never flowered for her, so I'm hoping I can coax it to flower within a few years!!

A lot of these bushes are relatively easy to propogate from soft wood cuttings with rooting hormone - if you know someone with the variety.

Permalink Reply by Crazy2day on March 1, 2011 at 10:18am

Thanks for responding Julie.

I love azaleas and rhododendrons...but depending on the source, they are usually zone 5 but sometimes say zone 4...the same variety!!  I know that Golden Lights says it is zone 4..have you had luck w/it?  I have lilacs and honeysuckle..and while not rampant..they are doing fine.  Thanks for the info.  I am really interested in whether or not you can make the Rhododendron work!!!  Keep us posted Ü

Permalink Reply by Kathy Smigleski Z4 on March 5, 2011 at 7:10pm

I agree with Julie. I love spireas. They're hard as nail, and come in dozens of sizes/colors, from old bridal wreath to ground covers. Anthony Waterer and Goldflame are two that have done well for me.

Permalink Reply by Kathryn Morski, Z4 UP MI on March 8, 2011 at 12:31pm

I keep seeing serviceberry in the catalogs now, and it grows wild all over my meadow so I'm pretty sure you could make it work. Beautiful filmy white in spring, berries later on. Multi-trunk.

Permalink Reply by Steven Perrine on April 25, 2011 at 3:33pm

Everyone single one of those are great ideas. Some other might include. Butterfly Bushes, endless summer hydrangeas, Limelight hydrangeas, Forsythia, Snowball bushes ( any type of Viburnum really). Summer sweet, Lilacs, Potentilla, Neon Flash Spirea, Princes Bride Spirea, Magnolia and more

Permalink Reply by Daria Hutchinson on April 30, 2011 at 7:08pm

Spirea Little Princess, Beautifolia 'Tor' and Shriobana are all great choices.

PJM Rhododendronare also nice for part shade.

Permalink Reply by Iowa Gardener on May 5, 2011 at 8:34am

I have to agree about the spireas.  There are so many to choose from and their leaf color is great for the change of season.  They also do great in sun or shade and survive beautifully in zon 4.  I planted a PJM rhododendron last year.  It is just now blooming and survived winter just fine.  Zone 4/5 living takes alot of research and planning to get the most out of your plants.  You may even want to consider some hardier rose shrubs too.  I grow tea roses in zone 4 on the south side of the house.  Tea roses are the most difficult; shrub roses would be easier.  In the fall just pile up some dirt around the bottoms to protect the graft point and they should do fine.  Just make sure you plant the graft a good 2-3 inches below the soil.  A shrub rose will bloom all summer and a grouping of them together really looks great.

Permalink Reply by Steven Perrine on June 5, 2011 at 8:35pm

I would have to agree. Magic carpet spirea are my choice. the beautiful dark and light greens. Juxtaposed behind red and yellow.

Permalink Reply by Ann K on June 7, 2011 at 6:44pm

have you considered red prince weigela?

Permalink Reply by thea stoughtenger zn4,ny on August 4, 2011 at 4:14pm

 I think i said this before . One of my seed catalogs said that i may be able to grow zone 5 plants if they are heavily mulched before winter . I would also think well protected before winter with burlap

Permalink Reply by Sandra Allen on February 19, 2012 at 8:30am

Highbush cranberry leaves beautiful red berries in the winter. Lovely against the snow.

Permalink Reply by Brenda Bartz on February 19, 2012 at 11:37am

I am in z4, look at my pics and if you see something you like, let me know and I will let you know what it is. I have an entire backyard of plants and only about little "1 room" of grass.