Alison, my ninebark is about 4 1/2 ft. tall now - leaves are green (I was hoping it might be a Diablo, but I don't think it is), no flowers yet - maybe next year. Debbie, watch on the seed exchange, or wait til next year, LOL - I should have some seeds then, I hope - but no blooms this year, and no blooms, no seeds. As for more shrubs - this year I put in the ground - myrica pennsylvanica (bayberry - I've tried this before and it hasn't survived - maybe this time it will), thalictrum dipterocarpum, which is either a big perennial or a shrub (is there a difference?) and Carolina lupine (which I forget botanical name of right now). Keeping my fingers crossed!

I would suggest Weigela. They are easy to grow ... I have one in a shaded area and one on the other side of my house in full sun. They both do great! They require a bit of pruning about once a year if you want them to keep a shape. Very fast growers, easily grow to 4-5' in a year or so. Covered in beautiful burgundy flowers twice per season that even attract hummingbirds because of their tubular shape. My two weigelas are "Wine & Roses Weigelas" ... love them!

Right^... Also, please don't do what I see many homeowners in this town do-cut the plant down in the fall as a part of "garden cleanup". So crazy-as the posts above say, this plant's common varietal name is 'Autumn Joy' sedum! Cutting it down in the fall robs one of the main pleasures this plant offers-a long show of the floral components on into winter. In snow country-like here-they look great for a while, until the snow covers them up. A neat, easy plant that pollinating insects can't seem to get enough of. Don't ever fertilize and like Laurie says, do not water unless you're in some kind of monumental drought. In too-rich soil or too wet, the plant grows huge but flops over and the center opens up. Better in dry, gravelly stuff.

an in focus close up of a leaf .. with a scale would sure help .... and if all else fails.. a pic of flowers.. if and when it has them ... once you Id.. i would prune the backs if nothing else ... to keep them off the house ... most likely 'rejuvenation pruning' is the key ... not just snipping out at distance ... ken