Annie, what kind of spirea are you looking for? I have the solid green that I know I have some babies and the variegated green and white that I'd have to check. I'm afraid the drought down here has taken it's toll on a lot of plants, shrubs and trees. The spirea I have is a shrub that people use to make a hedge. Just want to make sure that's what you want as plants are called by different names in different areas. :O) Thanks Lynn

I see a 4 by your name. Are you in zone 4? Some of the suggestions won't work here in Z4. I recommend that you enlarge the bed to make it deeper. My two favorite shrubs here in NH: 1) Rhododendron schlippenbachii is deciduous and has pale pink flowers in spring as the vaguely oaky leaves come out. Then the leaves turn bronzy in the fall. It grows to be about the size of a lilac tho a bit broader at the top and narrower at the bottom. I have a clematis growing in mine which produces purple flowers in its branches in early summer. If I had it to do over I would have chosen a lighter colored clematis that would showup better against the leaves. The flowers may be too pale up against your house. You would have to be the judge of that. Maybe there is a darker version than mine. 2) Daphne x burkwoodii "Carol Mackie" has heavenly scented white flowers in late spring and pretty little varigated cream and green leaves. It doesn't grow tall (only 2 feet or so) but gets broad. Don't plant it where you pile snow, it breaks. If you decide to follow the advice to get a tree, I have to tell you that we love our star Magnolia. We trained ours to only 2 trunks. It is a gorgeous ornamental tree, covered with white flowers in early spring. Birds love the fruits which are highly nutritious for them. It is one of only several magnolias that bloom in Z4. Have fun. Its ok to experiment and learn as you go. The wiegela sounds lovely. Kathy

One of my very favorite plants in the garden is Caryopteris divaricata 'Snow Fairy'. As mentioned above, it is very different than most other Caryopteris and is technically considered an herbaceous perennial. It's a beautifully variegated form and in my garden the old branches do not resprout in spring, but instead new growth sprouts from the base of the plant; very similar to the way a Phlox Paniculata would grow. Hence, herbaceous perennial as opposed to shrub. It tends to wake up a bit late in Spring so I like to plant something like a Dicentra spectabilis behind it so that as the foliage of the Dicentra begins its summer demise, the beautiful 'Snow Fairy' grows up and takes its place. Oh, I LOVE gardening! My 'Snow Fairy' only grows about 3x3 feet and although she does flower, the flowers are not entirely significant, but they do provide an added touch and the bees love it. The little flowers create a blue/purple wispy glow above the foliage, which is the real star. The variegation in the foliage is so unusual and the unusual shape of the foliage only adds to its beauty imho. Oh, she takes my breath away! I'm kindof nuts about variegated foliage. As far as golden-leaved forms of Caryopteris, I also prefer Caryopteris incana ÂSunshine Blue  JasonÂ. The foliage color is more stable and the flowering is more profuse. I think the form is a bit more refined, too. I love talking/typing plants. Happy Gardening, Everyone! ;)

Ostrich, 'Glow Girl' is a beauty, the foliage really draws the eye not just for the color, but also the texture is fantastic! It really should have been named 'GROW Girl', lol, cause yes, it can develop to a substantial and girthy thing having reached about 3 1/2 ft tall and wide, no tiny thing, also very hardy seldom having much dieback! Though, like most spirea, just prune to size or buzz it off to the ground when it becomes a bit too big, OR simply remove the older taller longer stems, Although, I'm generally not such a big fan of white blooms, it gets covered and the has a really nice classy look about it, it's a keeper in my books! Also, I love 'Double Play Big Bang' !!