Looking for the name of a shrub that changes colour throughout the seasons...any ideas?

[lovechoc]

In our old garden we had a few shrubs that change colour throughout the seasons and they are fairly hardy, can grow in most places without much watering. I cannot for the life of me think what they are called! Has anyone got any idea? Many thanks!

[SuoceraBlues]

Cornus.

Dammit can't remember the variant name.

will go take piccy now.

[lovechoc]

Have just searched 'cornus' and it's not the same one I am thinking of SuoceraBlues. Thanks for trying though! :)

It's a very small shrub, doesn't grow that quickly.

[SuoceraBlues]

the plants with the varigated leaves

Lovely fresh varigated foliage in spring
Leaves plus lacy flower heads in summer
Leaves turn pinky in autumn
Leaves fall to reveal bright red stems in winter

[SuoceraBlues]

oh.

What colours do the leaves go thrpughout the year ?

Is it an evergreen ?

[ToothbrushThief]

Not to everyone's taste but gives a good red bloom in autumn sedum

[SuoceraBlues]

Ohh justr remembered I have the RHS garden for all seasons upstairs.

As soon as the students I'm waiting for have been and gone I'll dig it out. Bound to be in there.

[fengirl1]

Photinia Red Robin?

[SuoceraBlues]

Right, got the "all season" shrub candidtes right here in front of me.

Euonymus (various types)
Choisya (think that's a bit too big though)
Fatsia
Hebe
Kalmia
mahonia
pernettya mucronata

but nothing that seems to fit exactly what you described.

What does it look like in winter ?

[lovechoc]

thanks for everyone's input, but it's not been mentioned so far...I am going to the nursery hopefully tomorrow to find out and buy a couple for the garden and will report back with the name. I doubt I'll be able to sleep tonight for trying to work it out!!lol

[fengirl1]

Spirea? Red Carpet is pretty.

[Bienchen]

Hardy plumbago?

[lovechoc]

Pieris!! Went to the nursery I know very well, have been there now and again for years, love it. The guy just knew as soon as I said 'small shrub, leaves change colour throughout the seasons' and he said 'pieris?' and I said 'that sounds familiar', so he went and brought a couple out, and I knew as soon as I saw them they were the ones!

I got a 'forest flame' and 'mountain fire', there are many more varieties but chose these two. Beautiful shrubs, they really are!

[Bienchen]

^ Glad you found out. Pieris needs ericaceous soil to do well.

[lovechoc]

Yep, got some ericaceous soil to plant them in. The guy at the nursery recommended it and chatted a bit about the plants before I left. A lot of love has went into those plants already, I intend to look after them well! :)