PHYSOCARPUS

Known as ‘Purple Ninebark’, this medium height, upright shrub is tougher than the delicate looking foliage appears. Haling from eastern North America, it is so-called for its bark, which peels off in thin papery strips, resembling the number ‘9’. ‘Shady Lady’ is a NZ selection, with deep burgundy to mahogany foliage on red stems. Foliage colour intensifies to rich red in autumn, before leaf fall. New spring growth is simply stunning and further accentuated as masses of round heads of tiny cream flowers appear over late spring to early summer. Lovely cut foliage plant and colour accent or filler in shaded areas. Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions from moist to dry, extremely cold hardy and drought tolerant. Deciduous.

Glossy bronze foliage and super fast growth give Photinia ‘Superhedge’ the edge as an outstanding choice for screening and hedges. Vigorous, upright growth is paired with a natural self-branching habit creating a perfectly bushy form with little to no pruning needed. Flushes of long and narrow, weeping foliage add a distinct softness and the beautiful bronze colour puts this Photinia in a class of its own. Its hardy nature, fast growth and ability to make excellent medium to tall hedges of up to 5m, places ‘Superhedge' among the best of screening plants. Tolerant of most soil types, light frost, windy, coastal or dry conditions, it is a versatile, low maintenance plant. ‘Superhedge’ is also perfect in public landscaping and as a large feature shrub in the garden. Best placed in full sun or semi-shade and make sure to provide good drainage as Photinia will not tolerate waterlogged soil. Evergreen.