Cait's Garden

Great new trend in shrubbery: miniatures! How often have you been in a garden center, seen a gorgeous shrub, and then had to pass because you don’t happen to have 6-8 feet of space left in your yard? If you’re like me, this happens a lot. Some newbie gardeners try to ignore the tag and assume they can just trim a shrub into submission for life. But that’s no way to treat a shrub! Thankfully, wonderful small hybrids of our favorite shrubs are available.

I am thrilled that there is now “Little Lime” Hydrangea (a 3-foot version of Limelight…perhaps the best hydrangea out there), “Little Devil” Ninebark (a 3-foot version of the gorgeous red Diablo Ninebark), and a few so-called “pillar” barberry bushes (like the brilliant-hued Orange Rocket, shown in the photo) that only get 18 inches wide, but 4 feet tall. I planted three of these in a corner of my flower bed just last summer. I think it’s a great idea to introduce small shrubs into flower beds. They add structure and fullness when your flowers are still growing, plus they are gorgeous in their own right. Definitely a trend to try! So say I, an aspiring gardening trend-setter.