@ Lynn - I've only had the 'Little Devil' for a few weeks, as you noted, so I can't say I have had a lot of experience with it, and it certainly hasn't grown much in size as yet! I am not sure what you mean by "bright red" foliage, either - the foliage on this ninebark, like that of Diablo, is a dark, mahogany/burgundy red color. Anyway, the colour of the foliage has not changed, and, to my knowledge, remains this colour until leaf drop. @ whaas - I haven't noticed ninebark foliage going limp in the summer; I have either a 'Diablo' or 'Summer Wine' ninebark in my back yard that has been there for several years and it seems to maintain its foliage just fine during the summer, at least here in Colorado. As you mentioned, 'Little Devil' is a cross between Diablo and Dwarf ninebark. I'll see how it does in the summer - it will get a lot more afternoon sunlight than does the ninebark in my back yard. One of the shrubs I would love to get, speaking of adding a punch of dark colours to the garden, is the Black Lace elderberry, Sambucus nigra. It gets up to 8' tall, however, so I haven't figured out where I can plant it so it can grow freely, but it is on my wish list. I couldn't find the hydrangea you spoke of, the 'Mystical Fire.' Are you talking about 'Mystical Flame?' That one sounds pretty cool - white flowers during the summer and burgundy red flowers in the fall. Holly Here is a link that might be useful: Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace'

Renee,I meant to reply earlier that I love nandina, but never see it in nurseries at 5 feet. As for shade/sun, I see it is fine in light shade, as you have, but supposedly, will not color brightly there as it does in full sun( I quote "The Book). *I think* privets are okay in bright-ish light, but may not bloom well or have as dense foliage. Are your viburnums in sun? * always take with a big grain of salt!*

Beachplant and Barbara, thanks for the info. Knowledge overcomes effort. I guess some might not make it. That is ok, I just want to give them a fighting chance. I am not sure what type they are but their name is Hemerocallis fulva, believe from doing a little reading they are evergreen. The Hybrids are Hemerocallis. roadsde daylillies Hybrids At least I know who can take the sun. It is a killer if you get it wrong. I would not want to be out in it all day. Forsythia and Butterfly bush are so pretty, maybe they will make it. I live back from the water now about 2 1/2 miles. I just went on a buying spree with cheap prices. I have purchase from this wholesaler before and everthing is growing very well. The wind is doing a number on my plants. I hope they adapt. We had a freeze line come within 200 yards of my house. How weird is that. My house was ok but driving to work as I went downhill on my street about 200 yards. There was frost over entire acres of yards. It did not even nip a single plant. Thank you lord. I am getting ready to plant 50 lbs of Bahia Grass for the sheep. I ran irrigation last Sunday and will put sprinkler heads on this weekend. Poor fellers, they are upset I swiped a 100 x 100 area from them. They are pretty smart. They would graze certain areas at certain time of the day and select what they wanted. Kind of like a buffet. They were managing their food source. Another nice acre of Bahia will make them happy. Thanks for the info. I do need all the help I can get. Remember I just startd back into gardening last November. I have gone from no plants to who knows how many. The eater and all of my other exotic/invasive roses received a special place, tree and fence line to grow on. I am growing Fortuniana rose for rootstock. Jim

Cistus (Rock Rose) is very tough and can withstand salt, wind and drought, as does Nerium oleander. Other possibilities, not all salt-tolerant: Berberis, Phormium (New Zealand flax), Agave, Euphorbia (incl. Poinsettia) but there are many others, Solandra grandiflora (Cup of Gold), Russelia equisetiformis (coral flower), Hebe (many kinds), Hydrangea (also many kinds), small-leaved Roses, Grevillea, Pittosporum (Japanese box - has small strongly scented white flowers), Tibouchina ( Glory of Brazil), Hibiscus syriacus, Ceanothus ( Blue Bush), Buddleia, Yucca, Aloe, Callistemon (Bottle-Brush), Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker). Happy plant hunting.