ShrubsDiscover the right shrubs for your garden.
horticulture does n’t have to be an endless , time - squander chore . By including more low - sustenance plants in your landscape , you’re able to cut the amount of fourth dimension you expend on yard upkeep .
Many deciduous or evergreen shrubs are virtually happy-go-lucky once established , providing long - survive social structure , color , and grain in the landscape . These bushes can be used in foundation planting , assorted borders , tidy sum plantings , as screening or hedging , or as a captivating focal stage . Here are some of the best low - maintenance shrub to turn .
LOW-MAINTENANCE SHRUBS
Funshine ® abelia . pic : Proven Winners
ABELIA (Abeliaspp.)
Zones:4 - 11 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full sun to partial wraith ; coloring and bloom are best in full sunHabit : Upright arching habitHeight / Spread:2 to 10 foot magniloquent , 2 to 8 feet wideBloom clock time : bounce to descend
This Australian honeysuckle congenator produce clusters of fragrant cannular flowers for months , occurring in colors of white , scandalmongering , or pinkish . The glossy evergreen or deciduous leaf come in ghost of green , white-livered , orange , or Burgundy wine , with fall color and exfoliating barque for multi - seasonal appeal . Abelia miscellany fare in unlike size that are versatile as hedging or viewing , in foundation planting , or massed in the landscape painting . Learn abelia .
Pictured : Funshine ® abeliafrom Proven Winners .
Pearl Glam ® beautyberry . pic : Proven Winners
BEAUTYBERRY (Callicarpaspp.)
Zones:5 - 10 , depend on the varietyExposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Mounding or arching habitHeight / Spread:3 to 6 feet grandiloquent and wideBloom metre : tardy spring to mid summer
Callicarpais a deciduous shrub grow for the fecund clustering of showy purple or white decorative berries that occur in fall . serrate light-green or chartreuse foliage develop brilliant hues of icteric , orangish and burgundy in autumn . Use beautyberry as cover , in mixed borderline , or as a showy focal point . determine beautyberry .
Pictured : Pearl Glam ® beautyberryfrom Proven Winners .
Sprinter ® box . pic : Proven Winners
BOXWOOD (Buxusspp.)
Zones:5 - 9 , with a few smorgasbord hardy to USDA zone 4Exposure : Full sun to shadeHabit : Upright , mound or bushy habitHeight / Spread:1 to 20 feet marvellous , 2 to 8 feet wideBloom time : Insignificant blossom bloom in fountain
Buxusis an evergreen shrub with modest leave and a obtuse , bushy habit that is ordinarily used in formal landscapes to create structure and rescript . Plants are specially amenable to pruning , making them worthy for hedge and topiaries . apply this various shrub in container , along a pathway , or to dissever garden suite . Learn boxwood .
Pictured : Sprinter ® boxwoodfrom Proven Winners .
Photo : VDB Studios / Shutterstock
CAMELLIA (Camelliaspp.)
Zones:7 - 10 , with a few newer motley hardy to USDA zone 6Exposure : Partial nuance to full shadeHabit : upright piano bushy habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 foot tall and wideBloom clip : come down to mid spring , depending on the variety
These low - maintenance evergreen plant shrub produce tumid showy blossom that brighten up the landscape at a fourth dimension of year when little else is in bloom . The elegant blossom come in wraith of carmine , pink and white , with single , semi - double or double forms . employ this long - lived shrub in foundation plantings , as hedging , or a focal point in the landscape painting . Learn camellia shrubs .
Photo : Lijuan Guo / Shutterstock
DAPHNE (Daphnespp.)
Zones:4 - 9 , depend on the varietyExposure : Partial shadeHabit : Bushy spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 5 feet marvelous , 2 to 6 invertebrate foot wide , reckon on the varietyBloom clock time : later winter to lessen , depending on the variety
Daphneis a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green or motley leafage and clump of tubular prime in colors of white-hot or pink . The blooms provide intense fragrance to woodland gardens , foundation plantings , and mixed borders . Daphne want well - drained ground .
Flying Machine ® forsythia . picture : Proven Winners
FORSYTHIA (Forsythiaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Dominicus to fond shade ; flush best in full sunHabit : Upright arching habitHeight / Spread:1 to 20 foot tall , 3 to 10 feet wideBloom time : Early to mid - spring
Grown for the pollyannaish yellow bell - shape flowers that look in spring , forsythia is an exceptionally dauntless deciduous bush that is about harum-scarum . Plants can be pruned into shapes or permit to retain their natural habit . Use in foundation plantings , as hedging , or mass along a slope for corrosion control . Learn forsythia .
depict : Flying car ® forsythiafrom Proven Winners .
Legend of the Fall ® fothergilla . Photo : Proven Winners
FOTHERGILLA (Fothergillaspp.)
Zones:5 - 9 , with a few varieties hardy to USDA zone 4Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:2 to 10 feet marvellous and blanket , depending on the varietyBloom time : Spring
This enchantress hazelnut tree relative is a slowly - grow , deciduous shrub native to the southeast U.S. Fragrant yellowish or white bottlebrush flower appear in leap , with fleeceable serrated foliage , vivid autumn color and attractive wintertime structure for twelvemonth - circle appeal . Naturalize in a native or woodland mete , utilisation in foundation plantings or sundry border . get wind fothergilla .
Pictured : Legend of the Fall ® fothergillafrom Proven Winners .
Castle Wall ® blue holly . Photo : Proven winner
HOLLY (Ilexspp.)
Zones:3 - 10 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright , mounding , disseminate , columnlike , pyramidal or cry habitHeight / Spread:1 1/2 to 80 feet tall , 1 1/2 to 50 feet wide , depending on the varietyBloom time : springiness to early summer
One of the primary features of some , but not all , Ilexplants are the brilliantly colour Berry that provide winter interest to the landscape . This evergreen or deciduous shrub comes in a wide of the mark range of shapes and sizes to suit any landscape need . Grow in foundation plantings , as hedge , or in mass plantings . check holly bushes .
Pictured : Castle Wall ® blue devil hollyfrom Proven Winners .
La Vida Grande ™ Indian hawthorn . Photo : Proven Winners
INDIAN HAWTHORN (Rhaphiolepis indica)
Zones:7 - 11Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Compact bushy habitHeight / Spread:1 to 6 invertebrate foot improbable , 3 to 6 foot wideBloom prison term : belated wintertime to leap , with some rebloom
Indian hawthorn is a broadleaf evergreen bush worthy for warmer climate , with glossy green leaves , clusters of fragrant pink or white prime , and attractive gloomy or purple berry . The thickset mounding substance abuse of some sort is suitable for smaller space . Use in foundation plantings , as hedging , or in aggregate plantings . Learn Amerind haw .
Pictured : La Vida Grande ® Indian hawthornfrom Proven Winners .
Gin Fizz ® juniper . Photo : Proven Winners
JUNIPER (Juniperusspp.)
Zones:2 - 10 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano , distribute , or cry habitHeight / Spread:6 inches to 130 base tall , 1 to 25 animal foot wideBloom time : fountain
Junipers are evergreen conifers that hail in a wide array of shapes and sizes . leafage occurs in hues of greenish , blue , silver , and gold . Juniper Charles Edward Berry are a solid food reference for songster and other wildlife , and the distaff cone shape are used as an aromatic spice . Plant in border , foundation plantings , alpine gardens , or as hedging . Learn juniper shrub and trees .
project : Gin Fizz ® juniperfrom Proven Winners .
Bloomerang ® Dark Purple lilac . Photo : Proven victor
LILAC (Syringaspp.)
Zones:2 - 8Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:4 to 15 foot tall , 3 to 12 feet wideBloom clock time : Spring ; some newer cultivar are repetition foul-up
Lilac bushes are a classic spring favorite , with heavily scented clusters of imperial , pink , blue , or whitened flowers that perfume the garden in saltation . Commonly used as foundation plants , lilacs can also be planted in miscellaneous border , timberland options , and cottage - style gardens . get a line lilac bushes .
project : Bloomerang ® Dark Purple lilacfrom Proven Winners .
Jazz Hands Bold ® Chinese fringe blossom . Photo : Proven achiever
LORPETALUM (Loropetalum chinense)
Zones:7 - 10Exposure : Full Sunday to partial shadeHabit : upright piano , mounding , weeping or spread out habitHeight / Spread:1 to 15 feet tall , 3 to 10 feet wide , depending on the varietyBloom sentence : Mid - give , with sporadic rebloom
Also known as Chinese interference fringe flower , this witch hazel relative produces ribbon - similar prime petals in shades of pink , crimson , or snowy . This broadleaf evergreen shrub produce colorful leafage in ghost of mysterious burgundy , purple , Paris green , or fleeceable . Use this deer - resistant bush in grounding plantings , assorted borders , or as a stunning focal point . memorize Chinese fringe flower .
Pictured : Jazz Hands bluff ® Formosan fringe flowerfrom Proven Winners .
' Elf ' mountain laurel . Photo : Svetlanko / Shutterstock
MOUNTAIN LAUREL (Kalmia latifolia)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : fond sunHabit : Upright shaggy-coated habitHeight / Spread:3 to 15 understructure marvellous and wide , look on the varietyBloom meter : leaping
aboriginal to woodlands of easterly North America , Kalmiais a broadleaf evergreen plant with eye - catching clusters of cup - shaped flower in spring . Flowers are ruddy , pink , or livid , some with prominent patterns . This rhododendron - comparable shrub can be plant in woodland or interracial borders , or in understructure plantings .
Summer Wine ® ninebark . exposure : Proven succeeder
NINEBARK (Physocarpusspp.)
Zones:2 - 8Exposure : Full sunlight to partial shadeHabit : upright piano , arching , or compact bushy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 10 feet marvellous , 3 to 12 feet wideBloom clock time : tardy spring to summer
Physocarpusis a deciduous bush aboriginal to North America , with year - circle appealingness and exceptional cold hardiness . Plants create colorful foliage , button - similar flower clusters , red seed capsules , and strip down bark . habit in foundation plantings , native perimeter , or as hedging . Learn ninebark .
envision : Summer Wine ® ninebarkfrom Proven Winners .
Gatsby Moon ® oakleaf hydrangea . exposure : Proven Winners
OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright , bushy , or compact habitHeight / Spread:3 to 8 invertebrate foot magniloquent and wideBloom time : Late outpouring to summer , with peak heads lasting into fall
name for the oak tree - like foliage , this deciduous bush produce turgid cone - shape flower heads that start out creamy ashen , turning pink , red , or beige as the flowers age . Leathery dark - green foliation develops vivid chromaticity of red , burgundy , and purple in drop , while the exfoliating bark supply winter interest . employ this drouth - tolerant bush in foundation plantings , mixed border , or forest background . get word oakleaf hydrangea .
picture : Gatsby Moon ® oakleaf hydrangeafrom Proven Winners .
Dandy Man ® Purple rhododendron . Photo : Proven Winners
RHODODENDRON (Rhododendron)
Zones:5 - 8 , with some potpourri brave to USDA zona 4 or 9Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright shaggy-haired or compact habitHeight / Spread:2 to 20 feet tall , 3 to 15 feet wide or largerBloom meter : later winter to fall , depend on the variety
One of the most popular landscape shrub , Rhododendronis a broadleaf evergreen plant with an elegant anatomical structure , ellipse leaves , and showy bloom in an array of coloration . flora perform best in cool , modest mood with regular moisture . Use as an understory plant in sundry mete , woodland garden , or as circumvent . Learn rhododendron shrubs .
Pictured : Dandy Man ® Purple rhododendronfrom Proven Winners .
Blue Chiffon ® Rose of Sharon . Photo : Proven winner
ROSE OF SHARON (Hibiscus syriacus)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:8 to 12 foot tall , 6 to 10 feet wideBloom time : Mid - summer to fall
The exotic efflorescence of Rose of Sharon add late - time of year tropical flare to the landscape . Large cornet - shaped flowers take place from summertime to fall in shade of pink , purple , red , blue , and bloodless . Use in instauration planting , mixed beds , and shrub edge . con rose of Sharon shrubs .
see : Blue Chiffon ® Rose of Sharonfrom Proven Winners .
Happy Face ® White cinquefoil . pic : Proven Winners
SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL (Potentillaspp.)
Zones:2 - 8Exposure : Full Dominicus to fond shadeHabit : Bushy or earth top habitHeight / Spread:3 inch to 4 feet tall , 6 inches to 5 feet wideBloom time : Spring to fall , depending on the variety show
Potentilla is a common deciduous landscape bush valued for its foresighted bloom clock time , carefree nature , and exceptional hardiness . discus - like blossom issue forth in a potpourri of colour , while the soft leafage adds fine texture to the landscape . Use as hedging , in aggregative plantings , or as edging for borders and pathways . Learn shrubby five-finger bushes .
render : Happy boldness ® White cinquefoilfrom Proven Winners .
Winecraft Gold ® smokebush . Photo : Proven Winners
SMOKEBUSH (Cotinusspp.)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : upright piano bushy or unfastened habitHeight / Spread:4 to 30 feet tall , 4 to 25 wide , bet on the varietyBloom time : Late fountain to fall
make for the heavy , showy flower spikes that resemble bullet plumes , this deciduous shrub or small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree produces green or purple foliage and brilliant fall color . Use in foundation planting , miscellaneous borders , and passel planting . Learn smokebush .
visualise : Winecraft Gold ® smokebushfrom Proven Winners .
dual Play Big Bang ® spiraea . pic : Proven succeeder
SPIREA (Spiraeaspp.)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : shaggy habitHeight / Spread:2 to 8 feet tall , 2 to 6 feet panoptic , depending on the varietyBloom sentence : Spring to summertime , depending on the mixture
One of the most pop flowering shrubs , Spiraeaproduces lacy clusters of pinkish , white , or red flowers in fountain or summer , with green or chartreuse leafage that changes colour in declivity . Use this various bush in foundation planting , mixed mete , or as hedging . Learn spirea .
Pictured : threefold run Big Bang ® spireafrom Proven Winners .
Vanilla Spice ® summersweet . Photo : Proven Winners
SUMMERSWEET (Clethra alnifolia)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 8 feet tall , 3 to 6 foot wideBloom time : Mid to late summertime
sweet scented flower spikes occur for hebdomad through the waning days of summer when few other bush are in efflorescence . Showy bottlebrush blossom spikes are attractive to bees , butterfly stroke , and other dirt ball pollinators . Plant this deciduous bush near an outside living outer space to delight the scented prime , in rain gardens , or along moist stream banks for erosion restraint . Learn summersweet .
Pictured : Vanilla Spice ® summersweetfrom Proven Winners .
small Henry ® sweetspire . Photo : Proven Winners
SWEETSPIRE (Itea virginica)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sun to shadeHabit : mound shaggy-haired habitHeight / Spread:3 to 5 foot tall and wideBloom time : previous saltation to early summertime
Iteais a native deciduous bush with fragrant clean flower spike and dazzle capitulation color . These moderately growing shrub fly high in most soil and are tolerant of wet or dry condition . Plant Virginia sweetspire in a rain garden , mass along a slope to stem erosion , or use as hedging along nerve tract and beds . ascertain Virginia sweetspire .
visualize : Little Henry ® sweetspirefrom Proven Winners .
Spice Girl ® Korean spiciness genus Viburnum . exposure : Proven succeeder
VIBURNUM (Viburnumspp.)
Zones:2 - 11 , look on the varietyExposure : Full sun to shadeHabit : upright piano shaggy-haired habitHeight / Spread:3 to 20 feet tall , 3 to 12 fundament wideBloom time : Spring to summertime
Viburnumis a various grouping of evergreen , semi - evergreen or deciduous shrubs with attractive efflorescence , berry , and descend color for multi - seasonal interest . found this highly adaptable shrub in a forest rig , assorted borders , as riddle or hedging . Learn viburnum .
Pictured : Spice Girl ® Korean spice viburnumfrom Proven Winners .
spill Wine ® weigela . Photo : Proven succeeder
WEIGELA (Weigelaspp.)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright , mounding , arching , or overspread habitHeight / Spread:1 to 10 feet tall , 1 1/2 to 12 feet wide , calculate on the varietyBloom time : Mid - to - previous springtime , with sporadic rebloom
Weigelais a common landscape bush with deciduous foliage in shades of gullible , chartreuse , gold , or purple . Attractive red , pinkish , or white tubular bloom impart bright color to the spring landscape painting . Use in mixed borders , woodland gardens , or as hedging . Learn Weigela florida .
depict : Spilled Wine ® weigelafrom Proven Winners .
' Jelena ' Wiccan hazel . Photo : Janet Loughrey
WITCH HAZEL (Hamamelisspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunlight to partial shadeHabit : Upright vase - shaped habitHeight / Spread:10 to 20 feet tall and wideBloom time : lessen to early spring
Grown for the fragrant , spidery flowers and elegant structure , witch hazel blooms at a time of twelvemonth when there is piffling color in the landscape . This deciduous bush or minor tree is about freewheeling and resistant to pests and disease . internet site in a smudge where the redolence can be enjoy up close and the blossom are backlit by early or late day Lord’s Day . memorise hag hazel .
