Our Hardy Chicago Fig survived an unprotected winter in Utah! Everything died back, but here it is alive and well in July 2015.

This has been so fun to see. It really starts late in the spring and needs a lot of heat to get growing.  Once it started it gained quite a bit of growth. We will need to protect it from the winter this fall to try to keep some of this growth for the following spring. Hopefully we can get some fruit this year, but I am not counting on it.

They say it can get 8-10 feet tall and wide but I don’t know if it will grow that large and if it does, it will be with a bit of work.  It needs full sun and a lot of heat. A southern exposure by your house might be your best bet.

Hardy Chicago Fig in Utah – September 2015, 1 year after planting a 4-5″ plant.

1 year after planting a 4-5″ plant, we have one fig!

This is all new growth in 2015. In the Spring there wasn’t anything above the ground. By July it was close to 12″ tall. In September it is 2′ tall, sprouting new shoots out of the ground and has one fig! Not too bad for a 4-5″ plant and no protection from the winter.

2016

June 2016 – 2 year old plant in the Spring. After another winter without any special care, new leaves are out in June. There are buds all over the bare branches and we are hopeful that they will pop soon. I think it is ahead of where it was this time last year.

Orange Rocket Barberry – Spring 2015

The Orange Rocket Barberry starts out coral-orange/red in the Spring, green in the summer and ruby red in the Fall. They grow up to 4-1/2′ tall and 1-1/2′ wide.

• Height: 4-1/2′
• Width: 1-1/2′
• Full Sun/Partial Sun

Pros

• Pros: Deer Resistant.
• Makes a good hedge

Cons:

• Thorns – sharp thorns.
• Lots of color in the Spring and Fall.

Lime Glo Barberry, Spring 2015

Lime Glow Barberry can grow up to 5′ tall and 4′ wide. It is a slow grower and will need regular watering when it is hot. It should turn a brilliant red in the Fall, I can’t wait to see it and get some pictures on here.

• Height: 5′
• Width: 4′
• Full Sun

Pros

• Deer Resistant
• Leaves can handle the sun, some light green/yellow barberries do not

Cons

• Thorns (this can be a plus if you want to deter people from an area)
• Slow growing

Orange Rocket and Lime Glow Barberries

Here is why I’ll never plant it again. It spreads. It sends roots out 20-30′ to pop up a new plant and it just won’t die. It is nearly impossible to remove from a yard. You’ve been warned.

Russian sage with purpler flowers. Also in the photo, Artimis Powis Castle, and an ornamental grass.

• Height: 3-4′
• Width: 3-4′
• Sun: Full sun
• Flowers: Summer
• Low water requirements

• Botanical Name: Philadelphus x virginalis
• Height: 6-7′
• Spacing: 4-6′
• Spread: 4-5′
• Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial sun
• Color: White blossoms
• Foliage: Ovate 3 inch medium green leaves
• Blooms: May – early June

Rose Glow Japanese Barberry can grow up to 5′ tall and 4′ wide, but it is a slow grower. It will need water weekly or more often in the heat.

• Height: 5′
• Width: 4′
• Full Sun

Pros

• Pros: Deer Resistant.
• In a mild winter they will keep many of the leaves and berries so you can have some winter color.

Cons:

• Thorns – sharp thorns.

November photo shows nice fall colors. (2014)

This is Gro-low Sumac in the Fall. It can grow 2-3′ tall and 6-8′ wide. We decided to try it because it is waterwise and should tolerate our poor soil.

The Bosnian Pine was completely carefree in our last yard and we have planted it again in the new yard. No complaints, super healthy, no pest problems. When we planted it we ran 3′ of perforated drain pipe around the root ball and watered it off the drip system. The pipe let the water get down to the roots instead of running down the hill on the surface. It tolerated the rocky, alkaline soil and put on new growth every year.

At 7-10′ wide, the Bosnian Pine is nice for smaller areas. It can reach up to 40′ tall.