The view out the Dining Room window is a bounty of plants with colorful foliage and contrasting textures. Backed by a high screen of espaliered linden, the small space feels like a horto-diorama: A densely-detailed display set up specifically for viewing through glass. Works for me! Take a look at the bright-white leaves in the background. It's the variegated version of a young but happy shrub with the striking name of orixa: Orixa japonica 'Variegata'.
What a show!

Orixa is hardy to Montreal, and in my experience is never troubled by anything, bug or critter, mold or mildew. The flowers are completely discrete (translation: where the hell are the flowers?), so it's all about the foliage. With leaves this bright, I'd say that the performance is plenty high-voltage enough already. Orixas grow with satisfying speed. My biggest one has gold foliage (oooooo!) and it's about six feet tall and wide and seems happy to go farther.
PS: Yes, orixa is deciduous, so it's just sticks in the Winter. But with this foliage, I happily forgive that too.