Lot Location: 6.11
For a great look without any trouble, try the Dwarf Blue Leaf Arctic Willow (Salix purpurea 'Nana'). Like all Willows, this is a water-lover, and tolerates most soils, unlike so many other shrubs that demand well-drained soils. This is a perfect plant for tough situations, and it always looks fantastic with an easy-breezy, casual charm.
Use this special shrub if you are cursed with heavy clay soils or wet soils. New construction often leaves poor fill soil, where it can be hard to grow things. Even soils near a heavily irrigated lawn can stay too wet for many plants.
In those cases, use the pretty, little, deciduous Dwarf Arctic Blue Willow. It is attractive and quite popular as a desirable hedge or specimen plant.
You'll love the new purple stems in spring, and the fine textured, silvery-blue leaves with a lighter underside. The wispy appearance creates kinetic movement in the landscape.