| Our patio landscape plan calls for 3 Fatsia japonica. We think we are borderline for hardiness near Charlotte NC. If you agree, can you recommend a substitute? Thank you. |
| Fatsia japonica is rated hardy in North Carolina (zones 7-8). If you're not convinced it will grow well for you, here are a few suggestions for shrubs hardy in zones 6-8: BOTANICAL NAME: Abelia grandiflora COMMON NAME: GLOSSY ABELIA HARDINESS ZONE:6,7,8 GROUP: Evergreen GROWTH RATE: moderate EXPOSURE: sun or shade TEXTURE: medium to fine FORM: semi-global HEIGHT: 4-6? SPREAD: 3-5' LANDSCAPE REMARKS: Tolerant of adverse conditions, good low hedge plant BOTANICAL NAME: Berberis julianae COMMON NAME: WINTERGREEN BARBERRY HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 GROUP: Evergreen GROWTH RATE: slow EXPOSURE: sun TEXTURE: fine to medium FORM: rounded/oval HEIGHT: 5-6? SPREAD: 3-5? LANDSCAPE REMARKS: Thorns, glossy green foliage, hardiest of evergreen barberries BOTANICAL NAME: Buxus sempervirens COMMON NAME: AMERICAN BOXWOOD HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 GROUP: Evergreen GROWTH RATE: moderate EXPOSURE: part shade, shade TEXTURE: fine FORM: global HEIGHT: 5-8' SPREAD: 6-8' LANDSCAPE REMARKS: Used in formal designs - requires pruning to keep in bounds BOTANICAL NAME: Euonymus kiautschovicus COMMON NAME: SPREADING EUONYMUS HARDINESS ZONE:6,7,8 GROUP: Evergreen GROWTH RATE: rapid EXPOSURE: sun or shade TEXTURE: medium to coarse FORM: open broad spread HEIGHT: 5-8' SPREAD: 4-8' BOTANICAL NAME: Forsythia intermedia COMMON NAME: BORDER FORSYTHIA HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 GROUP: Deciduous GROWTH RATE: rapid EXPOSURE: sun TEXTURE: medium FORM: erect with arching branches HEIGHT: 6-8' SPREAD: 6-8' LANDSCAPE REMARKS: Valued for early spring flowers, several cultivars available BOTANICAL NAME: Hibiscus syriacus COMMON NAME: SHRUB ALTHEA-ROSE OF SHARON HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 GROUP: Deciduous GROWTH RATE: rapid EXPOSURE: sun TEXTURE: medium FORM: upright HEIGHT: 6-8' SPREAD: 7-8' LANDSCAPE REMARKS: Showy summer flowers BOTANICAL NAME: Ilex cornuta COMMON NAME: DWARF BURFORD HOLLY HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8 GROUP: E GROWTH RATE: moderate EXPOSURE: sun TEXTURE: coarse FORM: rounded HEIGHT: 4-6' SPREAD: 4-6' LANDSCAPE REMARKS: 'Burfordi nana' Hope one of these suggestions is just right for your landscape! |
