SHRUBS 8'+ FOR NORTH CAROLINA LANDSCAPES

LEAFLET NO: 636
Revised 9/94 -- Author Reviewed 4/96

SHRUBS 8'+ FOR NORTH CAROLINA LANDSCAPES

M.A. (Kim) Powell
Extension Horticultural Specialist
Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
North Carolina State University

There are many excellent large landscape plants for all of North Carolina. Practical uses would include large plants as screening plantings or tall specimen or accent plants. The modern practice of "tree form" shrubs is best realized from plants in this category. Foundation plantings can also be implemented where the buildings/structures are very large in scale. Typically, this would be municipal, commercial or industrial projects. The plants in this category offer both deciduous and evergreen choices, flowering and berry producing plants, along with cultivars with interesting bark and foliage textures. When properly selected and located, the plants in this category will certainly enhance the landscape setting. As many of these plants are fast growing and can easily reach 15-20 feet in height, be sure to give them the required growing space.

BOTANICAL NAME:  Bambusa multiplex
COMMON NAME:  HEDGE BAMBOO    
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  sun or shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  upright branches, slightly arching
HEIGHT:  10-12'
SPREAD:  4-6'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Must be confined to a limited area

BOTANICAL NAME: Buxus sempervirens arborescens
COMMON NAME:  TREE BOXWOOD    
HARDINESS ZONE:  6,7
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  moderate
EXPOSURE:  partial shade
TEXTURE:  fine
FORM:  round
HEIGHT:  8-12'
SPREAD:  8-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Good evergreen screen for large areas
                              
BOTANICAL NAME:  Buddleia davidii
COMMON NAME:  BUTTERFLY BUSH
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  rapid  
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  coarse
FORM:  open
HEIGHT:  10-12'
SPREAD:   8-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Excellent summer flowering shrub for mass 
  planting     

BOTANICAL NAME:  Camellia japonica
COMMON NAME:  CAMELLIA   
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  partial shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  upright columnar
HEIGHT:  8-15Ő
SPREAD:  6-7'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Numerous cultivars available. Blooms in 
  early spring 

BOTANICAL NAME: Camellia sasanqua   
COMMON NAME:  SASANQUA   
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE: rapid 
EXPOSURE:  sun or part shade
TEXTURE: medium
FORM:  upright columnar
HEIGHT:  8-15'
SPREAD:   5-7'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Numerous cultivars available. Blooms in fall. 
  Makes good "small tree" form.    

BOTANICAL NAME: Chionanthus virginicus 
COMMON NAME:  FRINGE TREE
HARDINESS ZONE:  6,7,8
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE: slow 
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  coarse
FORM:  round top spreading
HEIGHT:  10-12'
SPREAD:  8-10' 
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Large shrub or small tree.

BOTANICAL NAME: Cleyera japonica
COMMON NAME:  CLEYERA (TERNSTROEMIA)
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  moderate
EXPOSURE:  partial shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  upright
HEIGHT:  8-12'
SPREAD:  6-7'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Excellent for coastal areas of N.C.

BOTANICAL NAME:  Cytisus scoparius
COMMON NAME:  SCOTCH BROOM                   
HARDINESS ZONE:  6,7,8
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE: rapid 
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  fine
FORM:  upright, open
HEIGHT:  8-10
SPREAD:  10-12'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Has erect grass-like green stems, yellow
  spring flowers    

BOTANICAL NAME:  Deutzia scabra
COMMON NAME:  PRIDE OF ROCHESTER   
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE: moderate 
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  coarse
FORM:  oval, tall erect
HEIGHT:  8-10'
SPREAD:  6-8'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Arching branches with brown peeling bark     

BOTANICAL NAME:  Elaeagnus pungens
COMMON NAME:  THORNY ELAEAGNUS     
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE: rapid 
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  spreading pendulating branches
HEIGHT:  8-12'
SPREAD:  6-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Fragrant flowers; birds are attracted.  Winter
flowering spring fruited.
                                   
BOTANICAL NAME: Euonymus alatus 
COMMON NAME:  WINGED EUONYMUS 
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE: moderate 
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  upright, horizontal
HEIGHT:  8-10'
SPREAD:  8-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Beautiful fall color. Dwarf forms available  

BOTANICAL NAME: Exochorda racemosa 
COMMON NAME:  PEARLBUSH  
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  moderate
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  upright, slender branches
HEIGHT:  10-15'
SPREAD:  10-15'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Interesting spring flowering shrub, good for 
  borders
     
BOTANICAL NAME:  Hammamelis virginiana
COMMON NAME:  WITCH-HAZEL          
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  moderate
EXPOSURE: sun or shade 
TEXTURE: medium/coarse 
FORM:  irregular open crown
HEIGHT:  18-20' 
SPREAD:  15-20'     
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Native shrub for natural situations

BOTANICAL NAME:  Hydrangea paniculata
COMMON NAME: PANICLE HYDRANGEA
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE: sun to part shade
TEXTURE: coarse
FORM: upright spreading 
HEIGHT:  15-25'
SPREAD:  12-20'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Very coarse - difficult to use in most designs     

BOTANICAL NAME: Ilex aquifolia 
COMMON NAME:  ENGLISH HOLLY
HARDINESS ZONE:  6,7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  slow  
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  irregular loose
HEIGHT:   8-12'
SPREAD:   8-12Ő
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Need both male and female for fruiting

BOTANICAL NAME:  Ilex cornuta 
COMMON NAME:  CHINESE HOLLY
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  moderate
EXPOSURE:  sun or part shade
TEXTURE:  medium/coarse
FORM:  rounded upright
HEIGHT:  10-15'
SPREAD:  8-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Often used as a small tree will become 
  overgrown on small residential sites.  'Burfordii' is a favorite 
  cultivar.    

BOTANICAL NAME: Ilex crenata   
COMMON NAME:  JAPANESE HOLLY  
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  slow  
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  semi-globular
HEIGHT:  10-12'
SPREAD:  6-8'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Many cultivars available

BOTANICAL NAME:  Ilex latifolia
COMMON NAME:  LUSTERLEAF HOLLY
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  moderate
EXPOSURE:  partial shade
TEXTURE:  coarse
FORM:  rounded
HEIGHT:  8-12'
SPREAD:  7-11'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Excellent evergreen specimen or espalier     

BOTANICAL NAME:  Ilex pernyi
COMMON NAME:   PERNY HOLLY
HARDINESS ZONE:  6,7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  slow
EXPOSURE:  sun or part shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  pyramidal outline
HEIGHT:  10-15'
SPREAD:  6-8'        
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Tall, showy holly shrub; beautiful berries
                                         
BOTANICAL NAME:  Ilex vomitoria
COMMON NAME:  YAUPON HOLLY
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  slow  
EXPOSURE:  sun or shade
TEXTURE:  medium/fine
FORM:  upright
HEIGHT:  10-20'
SPREAD:  8-12'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Excellent for large shrub or  small tree      

BOTANICAL NAME:  Illicium anisatum
COMMON NAME:  ANISETREE
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE: moderate 
EXPOSURE:  sun or part shade
TEXTURE:  coarse
FORM:  open rounded
HEIGHT:  8-12'
SPREAD:  8-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: Fragrant-light green foliage color


BOTANICAL NAME:  Ligustrum japonicum
COMMON NAME:  JAPANESE PRIVET 
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  sun or shade
TEXTURE:  coarse
FORM:  erect, oval top
HEIGHT:  10-15'
SPREAD:  6-8'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Large evergreen, tolerant of adverse    
  conditions. Not a foundation plant.   

BOTANICAL NAME: Ligustrum lucidum 
COMMON NAME:  TALL-GLOSSY PRIVET   
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8     
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:      sun or shade
TEXTURE:  coarse
FORM:  spreading irregular
HEIGHT:  10-15'
SPREAD:  5-8'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Excellent screening plant; can tolerate severe 
  pruning.     

BOTANICAL NAME:  Lonicera fragrantissima
COMMON NAME:  WINTER HONEYSUCKLE   
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  wide spreading irregular
HEIGHT:  8-12' 
SPREAD:  6-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Fragrant, screening plant; winter flowering  

BOTANICAL NAME: Magnolia stellata 
COMMON NAME:  STAR MAGNOLIA
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  slow
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  oval upright
HEIGHT:  15-20'
SPREAD:  10-12'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Nice accent shrub-several upright  cultivars 
  available     


BOTANICAL NAME:  Magnolia virginiana
COMMON NAME:  SWEET BAY
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  semi-evergreen
GROWTH RATE:  slow
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  wide, spreading irregular
HEIGHT:  8-12'
SPREAD:  6-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Coastal area nature plant.  Extremely fragrant 
  flowers.
     
BOTANICAL NAME:  Michelia figo
COMMON NAME:  BANANA SHRUB    
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8     
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  slow 
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  rounded dense
HEIGHT:  8-10'
SPREAD:  6-8'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Fragrant blooms, specimen plant for coastal 
  N.C.    

BOTANICAL NAME:  Myrica cerifera
COMMON NAME:  WAXMYRTLE  
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  moderate
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  fine
FORM:  irregular
HEIGHT:  10-15'
SPREAD:  10-12'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Excellent screening plant, aromatic foliage.  
  Native to southeastern N.C. 

BOTANICAL NAME: Nerium oleander     
COMMON NAME:  OLEANDER   
HARDINESS ZONE: 8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  fine/medium
FORM:  rounded upright
HEIGHT:  8-10'
SPREAD:  8-9'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Summer flowering - all plants are toxic.     

BOTANICAL NAME:  Osmanthus fortunei
COMMON NAME:  FORTUNE'S OSMANTHUS
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  moderate
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  oval    dense
HEIGHT:  12-15'
SPREAD:  8-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Excellent for screening. Hybrid of o. fragrans 
  x o. heterophyllus.    

BOTANICAL NAME: Osmanthus fragrans 
COMMON NAME:  SWEET OSMANTHUS 
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE: moderate 
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  upright rounded
HEIGHT:  12-15'
SPREAD:  10-12'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Large specimen for open areas. Gets large in 
  N.C. Is not very cold hardy.
     
BOTANICAL NAME:  Osmanthus heterophyllus
COMMON NAME:  HOLLY OSMANTHUS
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE: moderate 
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  upright with irregular shape
HEIGHT:  10-12'
SPREAD:   8-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Fall flowering, very fragrant.     Several 
  cultivars available.   

BOTANICAL NAME:  Photinia glabra
COMMON NAME:  JAPANESE PHOTINIA    
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE: rapid   
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM: upright loose
HEIGHT:  10-12'
SPREAD:  6-8'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Smallest of photinias. Typical objectionable 
  odor.
     
BOTANICAL NAME:  Photinia serrulata  
COMMON NAME: CHINESE PHOTINIA 
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  coarse
FORM:  broadly oval
HEIGHT:  20-25'
SPREAD:  18-20'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Should not be used in small designs. Can be a 
  "small tree" form.     

BOTANICAL NAME:  Photinia x 'Fraseri'   
COMMON NAME:    FRAZIER PHOTINIA
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE: medium 
FORM:  oval
HEIGHT:  10-15'
SPREAD:   5-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Most popular-commonly referred to as "Red Tip"    

BOTANICAL NAME:  Pittosporum tobira
COMMON NAME:  PITTOSPORUM     
HARDINESS ZONE: 8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  stiff, dense branches
HEIGHT:  10-12'
SPREAD:  6-9'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Excellent specimen plant

BOTANICAL NAME:  Podocarpus macrophyllus
COMMON NAME:  PODOCARPUS
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE: slow 
EXPOSURE:  sun or shade
TEXTURE:  fine
FORM:  pyramidal branches upright
HEIGHT:  8-10'
SPREAD:  4-5'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Excellent for coastal N.C.  Not very hardy in 
  Piedmont.
     
BOTANICAL NAME: Prunus laurocerasus 
COMMON NAME:  ENGLISH LAUREL
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE: moderate 
EXPOSURE:  sun or shade
TEXTURE:  medium/coarse
FORM:  upright, slightly open
HEIGHT:  10-12'
SPREAD:  8-11Ő
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Good plant for shaded areas.  Several dwarf 
  cultivars available.   

BOTANICAL NAME:  Punica granatum
COMMON NAME:  POMEGRANATE          
HARDINESS ZONE:  8
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  moderate
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium/coarse
FORM:  rounded
HEIGHT:  10-12'
SPREAD:  10-12'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Specimen - orange flowers

BOTANICAL NAME:  Pyracantha coccinea
COMMON NAME:  SCARLET FIRETHORN    
HARDINESS ZONE:  6,7,8
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE: moderate rapid 
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  stiff, thorny open branches
HEIGHT:  8-20'
SPREAD:  8-20'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Can become quite overgrown.  More cold hardy 
  than P. koidzumii.
     
BOTANICAL NAME:  Pyracantha koidzumii
COMMON NAME:  FORMOSA FIRETHORN
HARDINESS ZONE: 7, 8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  dense-irregular spreading
HEIGHT:  8-12'
SPREAD:  8-12'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Multi-stemmed - very popular species,   many uses 

BOTANICAL NAME:  Rhododendron 'Exbury Hybrid'
COMMON NAME:  KNAPHILL AZALEA
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE:  moderate
EXPOSURE:  partial shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  upright loose
HEIGHT:  8-10'
SPREAD:  5-7'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Excellent in combination with evergreen azalea 
  cultivars.

BOTANICAL NAME:  Rhododendron periclymenoides
COMMON NAME:  PINXTERBLOOM AZALEA
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  slow
EXPOSURE:  partial shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  low spreading branches
HEIGHT: 8-9' 
SPREAD:  4-5'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Size varies with native habitat    

BOTANICAL NAME:  Syringa persica
COMMON NAME:   PERSIAN LILAC  
HARDINESS ZONE:  6,7,8
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  global
HEIGHT:  8-9'
SPREAD:  7-9'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Spring flowering - fragrant.  Smaller than S. 
  vulgaris.
     
BOTANICAL NAME:  Syringa vulgaris  
COMMON NAME:  COMMON LILAC
HARDINESS ZONE:  6,7     
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  upright with stiff ascending branches
HEIGHT:  10-15'
SPREAD:  8-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Good spring flowering shrub or small tree - 
  very fragrant.  Hundreds of cultivars.     

BOTANICAL NAME: Tamarix gallica 
COMMON NAME:  SALT CEDAR
HARDINESS ZONE:  7,8
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE: moderate 
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  fine
FORM:  broad, spreading open
HEIGHT:  10-12'
SPREAD:   9-11'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Summer flowering. Generally associated with 
  coastal areas.    

BOTANICAL NAME: Vaccinium corymbosum 
COMMON NAME:  HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY
HARDINESS ZONE:  6,7
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  slow
EXPOSURE:  sun
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  upright, multi-stemmed
HEIGHT:  6-12'
SPREAD:  8-12'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Excellent hedge, beautiful fall color - edible 
  fruit.
     
BOTANICAL NAME:  Viburnum dilatatum
COMMON NAME:   LINDEN VIBURNUM          
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE: moderate 
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  medium
FORM:  rounded dense
HEIGHT:  9-10'
SPREAD:  6-8'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Many uses - nice flowers, showy berries in 
  fall.
      
BOTANICAL NAME: Viburnum rhytidophyllum 
COMMON NAME:  LEATHERLEAF VIBURNUM 
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  E
GROWTH RATE: moderate 
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  coarse
FORM:  upright multi-stemmed
HEIGHT:  10-15'
SPREAD:  12-15'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Retains leaves in winter - excellent foliage 
  character.
     
BOTANICAL NAME: V. plicatum tomentosum 
COMMON NAME:  DOUBLEFILE VIBURNUM  
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  moderate
EXPOSURE:  sun to part shade
TEXTURE:  coarse
FORM:  broad spreading
HEIGHT:  8-10'
SPREAD:  8-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Handsome accent plant

BOTANICAL NAME:  Vitex negundo
COMMON NAME:  CHASTE TREE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 
GROUP:  D
GROWTH RATE:  rapid
EXPOSURE:  sun or part shade
TEXTURE:  medium/fine
FORM:  open, loosely branched
HEIGHT:  12-15'
SPREAD:  8-10'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS:  Large shrub or small tree. Purple flowers in 
  later summer.

Published by
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North Carolina State University at Raleigh, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

LEAFLET NO: 636Revised 9/94 -- Author Reviewed 4/96