Last weekend the front bed with the cedars in it got new shrubs.
Continuing the theme of happy flowering shrubs and brooding conifers that we started with the cedars and the (now gone) buddleias we’ve added more happy and more brooding.
Starting with the happy, a flowering currant. I’ve seen this plant on both the lists of ‑plants that birds like- and the lists of ‑plants that deer don’t like-. We shall see. The shocking cerise of the flowers is a nice stunner — at the far edge of the bed.
![Ribes sanguineum 'King Edward VII', King Edward VII flowering currant Ribes sanguineum 'King Edward VII', King Edward VII flowering currant](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/currant-334x400.jpg)
And now a little gloom. Okay, maybe not so gloomy. This little White Cedar cultivar has a lovely fluffy, bunny look up close.
![Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Heather Bun' Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Heather Bun'](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/heatherbun-300x400.jpg)
Contrasting nicely in form is this whipcord Western Red Cedar. It’s an Iseli introduction. I’m always happy to see that they’re still in business and still developing interesting plants.
![Thujja plica 'Whipcord'/Whipcord Western Red Cedar Thujja plica 'Whipcord'/Whipcord Western Red Cedar](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/whipcord-400x300.jpg)
Also along the back of the bed there’s a white flowering quince. I know, I know, flowering quinces are supposed to be that red-orange color. But this one is so pretty… I also like how well the wrecked, stick-figure angularity of the this particular one is already developed. (I’ll plant one of the properly colored ones down by the farm sign, I promise.)
![Chaenomeles x superba 'Jet Trail' Chaenomeles x superba 'Jet Trail'](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/quincejet-400x390.jpg)
These creamy flower clusters were irresistible.
![Chaenomeles x superba 'Jet Trail' Chaenomeles x superba 'Jet Trail'](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/quincejet2-400x279.jpg)
There are three of theses little red twig dogwoods. The variegated leaves will contrast nicely with the green wrinkly currant leaves behind them.
![Cornus alba 'Bailhalo', Ivory Halo dogwood Cornus alba 'Bailhalo', Ivory Halo dogwood](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/halopdogwood-318x400.jpg)
The other gloomies. Two nicely colored conifers. The juniper in the front will have a purplish cast during the winter, the yew in the back will be somewhat bronze. Both will head more toward full green in the summer.
![Juniperus horizontalis 'Youngstown', Youngstown Andorra juniper and Taxus b. 'Repandens', Spreading English yew Juniperus horizontalis 'Youngstown', Youngstown Andorra juniper and Taxus b. 'Repandens', Spreading English yew](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/andorrajumiper-400x300.jpg)
Now I just have to be patient. And diligent with the deer repellent.