T H E V I L L A G E A T A V E R S B O R O RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE GUIDE: UTILITY BOX AREAS We have provided this list of shrubs for you to consider when concealing your utility boxes. All selections are evergreen, low-maintenance and deer-resistant. The list is categorized alphabetically into two groups: flowering and non-flowering. FLOWERING SHRUBS ABELIA X GRANDIFLORA LITTLE RICHARD OR LITTLE RICHARD ABELIA Mature size: 3 H x 3 W. Prefers full sun. Evergreen. Compact, rounded shrub with glossy dark green leaves. White 3/4" fragrant flowers from summer to frost. Leaves take on a purple hue in the fall and winter. ABELIA X GRANDIFLORA KALEIDOSCOPE OR KALEIDOSCOPE ABELIA Mature Size: 3 H x 3 W. Prefers full sun. Evergreen. Compact, rounded shrub with glossy dark green leaves. White 3/4" fragrant flowers from summer to frost. Yellow and green variegation becoming red and orange in fall. GARDENIA JASMINOIDES KLEIM S HARDY OR CAPE JASMINE Mature Size: 4 H x 4 W. Prefers sun to part sun. Evergreen shrub with shiny, dark green leaves. Waxy white 2-3" fragrant flowers May-July. Needs winter protection (a thick layer of pine straw around base will suffice). Page 1
LOROPETALUM CHINENSIS CRIMSON FIRE OR CRIMSON FIRE CHINESE FRINGE FLOWER Mature Size: 2 H x 3 W. Prefers full sun. Semi-evergreen. Compact, mounded habit with burgundy foliage and bright pink flowers in winter and spring. LOROPETALUM CHINENSIS EMERALD SNOW OR EMERALD SNOW CHINESE FRINGE FLOWER Mature Size: 4 H x 4 W. Prefers full sun. Evergreen. Dense habit with glossy green leaves. Strap-like white flowers in spring. NANDINA DOMESTICA GULF STREAM OR GULF STREAM HEAVENLY BAMBOO Mature Size: 3 H x 3 W. Prefers full sun. Evergreen. Compact form. New leaves emerge copper and mature to metallic blue-green in summer and red in winter. Small white flowers in May. Bright red fruit in fall. PIERIS JAPONICA VAR. YAKUSHIMANUM PRELUDE OR JAPANESE PIERIS Mature Size: 3 H x 4 W. Prefers sun or shade. Evergreen. Compact growth habit. New growth is red turning dark green. Pendulous racemes of white flowers in May. Page 2
PITTOSPORUM TOBIRA MOJO OR MOJO DWARF VARIEGATED PITTOSPORUM Mature Size: 3 H x 3 W. Prefers sun or shade. Evergreen. Compact habit with glossy foliage and gold variegation. Creamy, fragrant white flowers in spring. RHAPHIOLEPIS UMBELLATA MINOR OR MINOR INDIAN HAWTHORN Mature Size: 4 H x 4 W. Prefers sun to part sun. Evergreen. Dense upright growth habit with dark green glossy leaves that bronze in winter. White flowers in spring. Purplish-black fruit in fall. RHAPHIOLEPIS UMBELLATA SNOW WHITE OR INDIAN HAWTHORN Mature Size: 3 H x 4 W. Prefers full sun. Evergreen. Mounded shrub with dark green glossy leaves that bronze in winter. White flowers early spring to early summer. Purplish-black fruit in fall. SERISSA FOETIDA VARIEGATA OR YELLOW-RIM Mature Size: 4 H x 4 W. Prefers full sun. Semi-evergreen. Small, rounded shrub. Dark-green foliage with creamy variegated margins. White flowers in May-June. Page 3
VIBURNUM OBOVATUM MRS. SHILLER S DELIGHT OR SMALL VIBURNUM Mature Size: 4 H x 4 W. Prefers full sun. Evergreen. Small leaves and clusters of small white flowers adorn this compact plant most of the summer. NON-FLOWERING SHRUBS BUXUS X GREEN GEM OR LITTLELEAF BOXWOOD Mature Size: 3 H x 3 W. Prefers full sun. Evergreen. Slow-growing shrub with a rounded habit. Small lustrous dark green leaves. Shears well. Dark green winter color. CHAMAECYPARIS PISIFERA CREAM BALL OR CREAM BALL JAPANESE FALSECYPRESS Mature Size: 3 H x 3 W. Prefers sun/part sun. Evergreen shrub, grey-green foliage with white tips. Dwarf rounded habit. CRYPTOMERIA JAPONICA GLOBOSA NANA OR GLOBOSA NANA JAPANESE CEDAR Mature Size: 5 H x 5 W. Prefers full sun. Evergreen. Blue green needles and a dense, domeshaped growth habit. Becomes somewhat rusty red in winter. Good choice for concealing taller objects. Page 4
EUONYMUS JAPONICUS MICROPHYLLUS OR MICROPHYLLUS BOXLEAF EUONYMUS Mature Size: 3 H x 3 W. Prefers sun or shade. Evergreen. Dwarf mounded habit with small dark green leaves. Grows more open in shade. ILEX CRENATA SKY PENCIL OR SKY PENCIL JAPANESE HOLLY Mature Size: 8 H x 2 W. Annual pruning is required to keep height at desired level. Prefers sun to part sun. Evergreen. Densely branched shrub with a narrow, upright growth habit. Small rounded leaves and black fruit in the fall. ILEX CRENATA SOFT TOUCH OR SOFT TOUCH JAPANESE HOLLY Mature Size: 2 H x 3 W. Prefers full sun. Evergreen. Densely branched shrub with small rounded leaves and black fruit in the fall, pliable branches and soft foliage. NANDINA DOMESTICA FIREPOWER OR FIREPOWER HEAVENLY BAMBOO Mature Size: 2 H x 2 W. Prefers sun to part sun. Evergreen. Very compact growth. Foliage is lime green in spring, red-tinged in summer and bright red in fall. Produces no flowers or fruit. Page 5
THUJA OCCIDENTALIS HETZ MIDGET OR EASTERN ARBORVITAE Mature Size: 4 H x 4 W. Prefers full sun. Evergreen conifer. Rich green foliage which bronzes in winter. Dense globe-shaped form. UTILITY BOX MAKEOVER BEFORE AFTER Page 6
A FEW TIPS FOR YOUR SUCCESS Consider mature size before purchasing. Right plant, right place! Take note of how much direct sunlight is received in the location you want to plant before purchasing. Full Sun = 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day Part Sun = 4 hours of direct sunlight per day Part Shade = 4 hours of direct sunlight per day Shade = early morning sunlight is usually okay but no direct sunlight otherwise. Fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. It takes a full year for shrubs and trees to become established. Water deeply (when needed) to encourage roots to grow downward in search of water. Shallow watering results in shallow root systems and these plants will be the first to feel the effects of a drought. THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO YOU BY WILKERSON GARDEN DESIGN HEATHER WILKERSON PRICE (919) 609-0569 WWW.WILKERSONGARDENDESIGN.COM OUR SERVICES INCLUDE LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION IN ADDITION TO CUSTOM CONTAINER GARDENS. FEES FOR UTILITY BOX AREAS TYPICALLY RANGE FROM $300 - $550. Page 7