Sibiraea

Sibiraea

A genus of only 2 species of shrubs that are part of the larger Rose family. They are native to southeast Europe and Asia.

Sibiraea laevigata ( Siberian Spirea )
A medium-sized, deciduous shrub, reaching up to 7 x 8 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to Croatia and Bosnia in southeast Europe as well as Siberia, Kazakhstan and northwest China. It is found in open woodland and meadows in the wild. This very attractive shrub is highly recommended for the harsh climates of the Rockies as is known to thrive at the Hildreth-Howard Arboretum in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The lance-shaped or oblanceolate leaves are up to 5 x 1 inches in size. The attractive foliage is gray-green to blue-green.
The showy, 5-petalled, white flowers are borne on dense terminal panicles, up to 5 x 3.2 inches in size, during mid-summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 ( including high elevations in the west ) in full sun to partial shade on fertile, well drained soil. The central Asian population is even hardier to zone 2. Very drought tolerant. Necessary pruning is only trimming to shape after blooming and removing old branches that have lost their vigor.

* excellent photo link
http://www.asianflora.com/Rosaceae/Sibiraea-laevigata.htm

* photos taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph Arboretum, Ontario

RELATED PLANTS

Holodiscus discolor ( Ocean Spray )
Large shrub, reaching up to 20 ( rarely over 12 ) feet, that is native to western North America ( from Vancouver Island to Bella Coola, B.C. to Revelstoke, B.C. to Cranbrook, B.C. to northwest Montana; south to northern California to central Wyoming with sporadic occurrences further south on high mountains ). It's shallow binding root-system makes it ideal for erosion control.
The toothed, ovate to triangular leaves are up to 1.5 ( rarely 4 ) inches in length. The mid-green foliage turns orange during autumn.
The creamy-white flowers are borne in clusters up to 8 inches long, during early summer. The flower panicles persist into winter.
The wood is exceptionally hard.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in sun or shade on just about any well drained soil. It is very drought tolerant and requires as little as 15 inches of average yearly precip. It has thrived for over 30 years at Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa, Ontario but is otherwise mostly unknown in the east.

* photo taken by Jean Pawek @ CalPhotos

* photos taken by http://www.nwplants.com

* historic archive photo

Holodiscus dumosus

* photo taken by Sheri Hagwood @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Jamesia americana
An upright to rounded, deciduous shrub, reaching up to 6 x 6 ( rarely over 4 ) feet in size, that is native to the Rocky Mountains ( from central California to southeast Wyoming; south to high mountains of far northern Mexico ). It is great for foundations or as an informal hedge.
The oppositely-arranged, toothed, ovate or elliptical leaves, up to 1.5 inches long, are mid-green above, hairy white beneath. The foliage turns attractive intense orange to red during autumn.
The fragrant, white to pink, starry flowers, up to 0.5 inches wide, are borne in dense clusters during late spring to early summer.
The twigs are reddish-brown. The bark is showy orange-brown on older stems.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on just about any moist, fertile, well drained soil. It is heat and drought tolerant once established. It requires 20"+ of yearly rainfall. After flowering, remove oldest stems to the ground to retain vigor. It is easy to grow from seed with no pretreatment needed.