Bridal wreath spirea (Spiraea x vanhouttei) is a medium to large shrub with an upright to spreading growth habit and many thin branches, giving the plant a light and elegant appearance. It usually grows to around 1.5–2 metres tall and 0.9–1.2 metres wide.

In May, the shrub is covered with a wealth of small, white flowers that sit closely together in rounded clusters along the young branches. The flowers have a light fragrance and create a striking, bright expression in the garden. After flowering, small, dry seed capsules develop, which remain in clusters.

The foliage consists of small, lobed green leaves with serrated edges. In autumn, the leaves turn golden to orange shades, giving the shrub decorative value throughout the season.

The plant thrives best in sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. It is fully hardy and tolerates pruning, making it suitable both as a free-standing shrub, in groups or as a clipped hedge. When planting, watering and possible soil improvement are recommended to ensure good establishment.

The star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is a slow-growing shrub or small tree with a broad, rounded and often multi-stemmed growth form. It typically reaches 2–3 metres in height and about the same in width.

In March and April, the plant is covered with many white, lightly scented flowers with star-shaped petals, which appear before the leaves emerge. After flowering, large, matte green leaves develop, giving a fresh appearance throughout the summer.

In autumn, the leaves turn light yellow before falling off. The plant thrives best in sheltered locations and in deep, humus-rich but well-drained soil. It tolerates both sun and partial shade but should not be too exposed to wind.

The star magnolia is often used as a specimen plant or as part of an ornamental shrub planting, where it contributes early flowering and a harmonious appearance throughout the growing season.

The Snowball Tree, botanically known as Viburnum opulus 'Roseum', is a broad and stiff-branched shrub with arching branches. It usually grows 2–3 metres tall and about as wide, giving it a distinctive and rounded shape in the garden.

The shrub is especially known for its large, spherical flower clusters consisting of white, sterile flowers. Flowering takes place from May to June and gives a striking, almost snowball-like appearance that has given the plant its common name.

The Snowball Tree thrives best in ordinary garden soil and does well in both full sun and partial shade. It is fully hardy and requires only limited maintenance, making it suitable for both private gardens and larger landscapes.

After flowering, the plant develops red fruits, and the foliage takes on a bronze tone in autumn. It can be used as a specimen plant, in groups, or as part of a shrub border, where it contributes structure and seasonal variation.

Grey Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster franchetti) is a larger, densely branched shrub with arching branches that give a natural and light expression in the garden. Over time, it develops into an inverted pyramid shape when given space to grow freely.

The leaves are oval, 4–5 cm long and have a characteristic grey-felted underside that gives the plant a silvery-green hue. In autumn, the foliage takes on beautiful colours, and in sheltered locations many leaves may remain through the winter.

In June, the shrub is covered with many small pink flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. Later in the season, small dark red berries form, which remain well into winter and serve as food for birds.

The plant thrives best in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil and tolerates both sun and shade. It is very hardy and suitable for solitary planting, hedges and shelterbelts, even in more exposed locations.

Dwarf Blood Plum (Prunus x cistena) is a slow-growing shrub that usually reaches around 2 metres in height and width. It has a dense and upright growth habit, making it suitable both as a solitary plant and in groups in beds.

The foliage is dark purple-red to bronze-coloured and provides a striking contrast in the garden throughout the growing season. In May, the shrub blooms with pale pink flowers, which later turn white and add a light and elegant expression.

The plant thrives best in full sun or partial shade and prefers nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. It is fully hardy under Norwegian conditions and requires only limited maintenance.

Dwarf Blood Plum is often used as a contrast plant in perennial and shrub beds, where its dark foliage highlights the colours of the surrounding plants.

Dwarf Willow (Salix helvetica) is a compact ornamental shrub with a small, rounded and broad-growing crown. It is grafted onto a stem at its final height, giving it a distinctive appearance in plantings.

The young leaves and shoots are white-felted, giving the plant a silvery-grey hue early in the season. Later, the leaves develop a more grey-green tone, creating a calm contrast to the surroundings.

The plant thrives best in full sun or light partial shade and prefers moist but well-drained soil. It does not tolerate prolonged drying out but is otherwise fully hardy under Norwegian conditions.

Dwarf Willow is particularly suitable as a ground-covering plant in gardens and parks, where it can form a low, dense plant cover. It can also be used as a decorative solitary plant in smaller beds or pots.