Garden Crossings Field Trip: Proven Winners Color Choice Shrubs

Introduction

• Field trip to trial gardens for Proven Winners Color Choice shrubs.
• Focus on evergreens and product review of a winter garden product.

Evergreen Shrubs Overview

Arborvitae Whip It

• New for 2025.
• Weeping, trailing habit.
• Mature size: 3-5 ft tall.
• Hardy zones: 3-7.
• Soft texture, suitable for cooler/northern climates.

Ilex Strong Box

• Alternative to boxwood.
• Small foliage, can be shaped into hedges.
• Deer resistant and native.
• Hardy zones: 5-9.
• Size: 2-3 ft tall and wide.
• Full sun to part shade.
• Other varieties: Squeeze Box, Gem Box.

Pieris Interstellar

• Winter plant with red clusters and blooms.
• Hardy zones: 5-8.
• Size: 3-4 ft tall and wide.
• Deer resistant, good for foundation plantings.

Japanese Holly Skybox

• Hardy zones: 5-8.
• Mature size: 4-5 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide.
• Columnar shape, good for containers or entryways.

Trace Amigos Abelia

• Deer resistant with colorful foliage.
• Hardy zones: 6-9.
• Size: 2-3 ft tall, up to 5 ft wide.
• Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Pyracomeles Berry Box

• Winter interest with red berries.
• Hardy zones: 7-8 (possibly 6B with microclimate).
• Deer resistant.

Product Review: Heated Winter Coat

• Features six heating zones: back of neck, back, arms, front.
• Three temperature settings.
• Battery powered, runs 3-7 hours depending on setting.
• Battery doubles as a phone charger.
• Waterproof and windproof.
• 10% discount code available.

Additional Evergreens

Polar Gold Thuja

• Bright yellow foliage.
• Hardy zones: 3-8.
• Size: 12-15 ft tall, 4-6 ft wide.

Taxus Stonehenge

• Suitable for full sun or full shade.
• Hardy zones: 4-7.
• Size: Up to 10 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide.
• Columnar habit.

Arborvitae Thin Man

• Tall, skinny columnar shape.
• Hardy zones: 3-8.
• Size: 12-15 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide.
• Part of Full Speed of Hedges series.

Deer Protection and Garden Layout

• 8 ft tall chain-link fence to prevent deer from damaging plants.
• Fence blends into landscape.
• American Pillar Arborvitaes used for natural privacy.
• Experimentation with trimming for aesthetic appeal.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to visit GardenCrossings.com for more information.
• Option to purchase plants online for home delivery.