ELDERBERRY

American Elderberry (Sambubcus Canadensis 'Aurea'): This is native plant that has tasty berries and pretty flowers. American Elderberry is commonly sold in yellow and green leafed forms, and it works well as an informal screen or in naturalized areas. Plant the green form in full sun and the yellow in part shade. (8'Hx6'W) Zone 4

EUONYMUS

There are several species and varieties of euonymus available to consumers. They are often used as both formal and informal hedges and take pruning very well. Depending on the variety, they are either evergreen or deciduous, and, in general, for the Northern Utah climate, the evergreen forms prefer partial shade and the deciduous forms prefer full sun to partial shade.

Boxleaf Euonymus (Euonymus japonicus 'microphylla'): Boxleaf Euonymus is evergreen and never grows very big, even when it is mature. It can be used as a small hedge or specimen shrub, and it does best on a north or east exposure. (2'Hx2'W) Zone 6

Butterscotch Euonymus (Euonymus Japonicus 'Butterscotch'): Butterscotch Euonymus is another evergreen euonymus. Its leaves are relatively small and new growth emerges lemon yellow. Its growth habit is similar to Boxleaf Euonymus, and needs to be planted in part to full shade. (3'Hx3'W) Zone 6

Canadale Gold Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei 'Canadale Gold'): Canadale Gold Euonymus is evergreen and has yellow and green variegated leaves. It can be used as a small specimen shrub or as a hedge plant. Canadale Gold Euonymus prefers full sun to part shade but do not plant on a hot south exposure. (3'Hx3'W) Zone 4

Chollipo Euonymus (Euonymus Japonicus 'Chollipo'): Chollipo Euonymus is more cold hardy than other types of Japanese Euonymus. It grows relatively quickly and has a cream and green variegated leaf and is also reasonably drought tolerant. Prune in the spring to maintain desired shape and plant in afternoon shade. (6'Hx6'W) Zone 5

Dwarf Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'): Dwarf Burning Bush is one of the most popular shrubs sold in Utah because it turns brilliant red in the fall. It is often used as a hedge or as a specimen plant and does best in full sun to part shade. The leaves are dark green and are deciduous. (5'Hx5'W) Zone 4

Emerald Gaiety Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety'): This variety of euonymus has evergreen, variegated small white and light green leaves that turn plum purple in the winter. Emerald Gaiety Euonymus can be maintained as a small shrub or, with a little training, will climb trellises and walls. (2'Hx3'W) Zone 4

Emerald n' Gold Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald n' Gold'): Emerald n' Gold Euonymus is the same as Emerald Gaiety but has variegated yellow and green leaves. (2'Hx3'W) Zone 4

Evergreen Euonymus (Euonymus Japonicus): Also known as Japanese Euonymus, this shrub is tolerant of many different soil conditions and tolerates more sun than other evergreen types of euonymus. It still should not be planted on a south exposure and should be kept out of winter winds as much as possible. Prune in the spring to help maintain its vigor and shape. (8'Hx6'W) Zone 6

Gold Spot Euonymus (Euonymus Japonicus 'aureo-marginata'): This shrub is similar to Evergreen Euonymus but has variegated green and yellow leaves. It also needs slightly more shade. (8'Hx6'W) Zone 6

Golden Euonymus (Euonymus Japonicus 'aurea-variegata'): Gold Spot Euonymus is almost the same shrub as Gold Spot Euonymus but has opposite leaf variegation. (8'Hx6'W) Zone 6

Greenspire Euonymus (Euonymus Japonicus 'Greenspire'): Greenspire Euonymus has a columnar habit. It works well as a narrow hedge but needs to be tied up or kept out of heavy snow in the winter to keep it from being damaged. (4'Hx18"W) Zone 6

Moonshadow Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei 'Moonshadow'): Moonshadow Euonymus has the same growth characteristics as Emerald Gaiety Euonymus. The difference is in their leaves. Moonshadow has a larger, darker-green leaf that has a yellow variegation instead of white. (3'Hx3'W) Zone 4

Purple Wintercreeper Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus'): Purple Wintercreeper is different than other euonymus in that it is a ground cover instead of a shrub, and it will climb walls and other structures. It is evergreen and the leaves turn plum purple in the winter. Do not plant on a hot south exposure. (18'Hx6'W) Zone 4

Silver King Euonymus (Euonymus Japonicus 'Silver King'): Silver King Euonymus is another form of Japanese Euonymus. It is narrower at maturity than most other euonymus and for this reason works well in confined spaces. It does need winter protection from the wind and sun. (6'Hx3'W) Zone 6
Variegated Boxleaf Euonymus (Euonymus Japonicus 'microphylla variegatus'): This plant has the same growth as regular Boxleaf Euonymus. The only difference is that there is a white margin around the leaf edge of the Variegated Boxleaf Euonymus. (2'Hx2'W) Zone 6

Wintercreeper Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei 'Kewensis'): Wintercreeper Euonymus is an evergreen groundcover Euonymus that is very low growing, and it has very small green leaves that turn plum purple during cooler weather. (6"Hx6'W) Zone 4

FIR

Dwarf Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea 'nana'): This dainty shrub works well in rock gardens and flowerbeds and is often intermixed with aspens and other mountainous plants to create a woodsy look in the home landscape. Plant in partial to full shade. (2'Hx2'W) Zone 4

FLOWERING ALMOND

Flowering Almond (Prunus glandulosa): Flowering Almond is very beautiful in the spring because of its double white or pink flowers. It is best planted in less formal surroundings or other natural settings and is also very tolerant of drought and different types of soil. Plant in full sun to partial shade. (2'Hx2'W) Zone 4

FORSYTHIA

Forsythias are among the first plants to flower in early spring. They are tough shrubs that tolerate Utah's soils and growing conditions.

Lynnwood Gold Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynnwood Gold'): Lynnwood Forsythia grows quickly and has bright yellow flowers in early spring. It has a moderate size but can grow larger with age. Plant in full sun to part shade. (4'Hx5'W) Zone 4

Spring Glory Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia 'Spring Glory'): Spring Glory forsythia is the most common forsythia grown in Utah. It is a reliable bloomer and grows slightly larger than Lynnwood Gold Forsythia. Plant in full sun to part shade (6'Hx6'W) Zone 4