Think about the natives

It may be time to think about incorporating new plants in your shrub border. If those uniform little plants you purchased years ago from the nursery and planted have become overgrown specimens more closely resembling ‘Uncle Remus’s’ Briar Patch than delightful landscapes plants, you may wish to consider replacements. This may be an opportunity to investigate using native plants.

Some candidates available include 3-5 foot shrubs, Symphoricarpus albus (snowberry), and Mahonia (Oregon grape).

Taller species such as Douglas spirea, Cornus stolonifera (red osier dogwood), Holodiscus discolor (ocean...