A variety of dwarf shrubs thrive in full sunlight, so you can plant them in containers if you’re short on space. However, these plants are not low-maintenance and will require special care. A deeper, wider hole is required for them. They are not very large and will retain their small size for the duration of their lives. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance option, you can try a Potentilla.
Potentilla
The attractive foliage of potentilla makes this plant a great choice for full-sun areas. Its charming flowers resemble anemones and bloom in late spring and into early autumn. The leaves shed their reddish bark in autumn. They are best grown in full sunlight, but they also tolerate some shade. They are drought-tolerant once established. Once established, potentillas need little to no pruning. Pruning in the spring promotes faster growth.
Potentilla is an easy-care plant with a great range of colors. It is highly adaptable to full-sun conditions and requires little maintenance. Potentilla dwarf shrubs for full sun are ideal for mass plantings and foundation planting. The low-maintenance and drought-tolerant nature of this plant makes it a favorite for beginners. These plants are hardy and require six to eight hours of full sun each day to thrive.
This low-growing plant has a unique appearance with its shiny, deep purple foliage. Its flowers bloom from summer to fall. The leaves turn a vibrant scarlet hue during the fall. This plant can be pruned to keep it compact or to fill in the landscape as a low groundcover. This shrub is drought-resistant and easy to grow. The flowers set in the previous growing season, so it’s easy to identify if it has winterkill.
Autumn Princess Azalea
Encore(r) Autumn Princess Azaleas are the reblooming intermediate-sized azaleas that bloom 3 times per year. They grow to be about three to four feet high and two to three feet wide. They prefer full sun, but tolerate partial shade, as well as some filtered sunlight. The foliage is medium to dark green, and they require well-drained soil.
This azalea is a dwarf shrub that blooms in early spring and continues through the summer and into fall. It can be grown in containers or pots, and can tolerate moderate drought. It can also be used in mass plantings, cottage gardens, rock gardens, and themes. Its bloom color will add a splash of fall color to any yard. This shrub is great for full sun gardens, but is also suitable for partial shade.
Encore Azaleas grow best in acidic, well-drained soil that is not completely dry. Although most areas of the east naturally have acidic soil, this variety does well in soil that has some organic matter. This makes it perfect for containers and foundation planting. Its foliage is deep burgundy and its rounded habit makes it easy to maintain. If you don’t have an area to plant a hedge, try this autumn-colored azalea.
Ninebark
Ninebark is a deciduous flowering shrub in the rose family. Its unique exfoliating bark peels back in thin layers as its branches grow and mature. The ninebark’s flowers are yellow with green, red, or white speckles and are very attractive to butterflies. The flower buds are followed by a red seed that attracts birds. Its foliage is rounded, egg-shaped, with four to five lobes.
To propagate ninebark, take a stem cutting from the tree in spring and store in the refrigerator until the first frost. Planting in early spring is best, where it receives sufficient shade, and cut it off a few inches from the ground. Water the new plant every week and mulch the newly transplanted ninebark shrub before winter dormancy. A ninebark shrub will grow quickly and reach impressive size in one year.
If you want to keep your plant in good shape, fertilize it once a year in early spring. You can use organic fertilizer or compost around the base of the stems. You can also use a liquid fertilizer once a year. Ninebark requires little maintenance. It is pest-free and thrives in both partial shade and full sun. While it does not need a lot of attention, it’s worth remembering that ninebark is not the most difficult shrub to grow.
Mountain Laurel
Despite their name, Mountain Laurel dwarf shrubs are not difficult to grow and don’t require a lot of maintenance. Their shallow root system can dry out the soil during the early spring months, but an organic mulch can help keep the soil cool and moist. Ground bark is ideal for this purpose as it decomposes into organic matter and helps with drainage. They do require plenty of water when starting, so be prepared to water frequently.
While mountain lilies are generally free from pests, mountain laurel can be susceptible to leaf spot, blight and lace bug. Infected plants need to be dug up and composted. They are toxic to pets and humans. Home gardeners should use caution when planting them near children and pets. If they do decide to plant a mountain lily, make sure to keep them in a safe space and avoid exposing them to excessive heat.
Mountain Laurel ‘Golden Mop’
Mountain Laurel, also known as ivy bush or spoonwood, is an excellent plant for the landscape or for a cottage garden. It grows to three feet (1 m) in height and blooms with bright orange and yellow flowers. Mountain laurel is the state flower of Connecticut. It is also found as part of the flower display at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. It grows in the Native Flora Garden and the Japanese Hill-and-Ponder Garden.
You can choose from a variety of mountain laurel cultivars. ‘Elf’ is a cultivar of mountain laurel, while ‘Minuet’ is a dwarf variety of the larger arborvitae variety. ‘Elf’ grows up to four feet tall and wide with compact growth. ‘Minuet’ has flowers with a darker red band in the center of the blossom. Both are good for zones 5-9.
Golden Mop Cypress is named for its foliage, which has a mop-like texture. This dwarf cypress is an excellent choice for sunny or semi-shady locations. It matures to about five feet tall and has a rounded form. Golden Mop grows slowly and can be planted as a specimen plant or in groups. This shrub is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
Crape Myrtle
‘Muskogee’ crape myrtle is a large ornamental tree that grows up to 30 feet tall. Its large, feathery flower panicles bloom in late summer, contrasted by the glossy, dark green foliage. The leaves turn reddish-orange in fall and the bark peels off. This tree is ideal for gardens and full-sun locations.
Crape myrtle dwarf shrubs are a colorful addition to the garden, with their large ruffled blossoms attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. These plants first arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1786. They are often grown as small trees, 20 feet or more tall and wide, but the dwarf variety is just the right size for a shrub bed. Most gardeners will only be able to support one plant, so buy two or three.
If you are looking for an ornamental plant that can grow in a full-sun garden, a Crape Myrtle is a good choice. Its foliage is disease-resistant, making it easy to maintain. It also looks great in containers. Depending on its location, you can choose between several varieties and have your garden looking beautiful all year long. A small tree can also be a container plant or part of a larger landscape.
Cranberry Cotoneaster
If you want a low-maintenance plant that is still showy in the landscape, consider planting a Cranberry Cotoneaster. It grows low, only knee-high to 3 feet, with gracefully cascading branches. Depending on the variety, this plant can fill a foundation, or be an outstanding specimen in a mixed shrub border. This low-maintenance shrub is also great for bonsai.
A dwarf plant native to Australia, the Cranberry Cotoneaster is a low-growing shrub that will grow only knee-high but spread out three times as wide. It can also be used as a hedge. Its natural branching makes it look lush and attractive and will also attract birds. It requires minimal pruning and can be grown anywhere in the landscape. While it is a low-maintenance shrub, it is best suited for full-sun gardens.
This dense, fountain-shaped dwarf shrub grows to two to three feet high with a spread of five to six feet. It has pink flowers in late spring and cranberry-sized red berries in the fall. Its glossy, dark-green leaves turn a reddish color in the fall and make a great groundcover plant. It prefers a moist, well-drained location.
Winter Heath
Planting a Winter Heath requires very little maintenance. It should be pruned after the flowers fade. Heaths set buds almost immediately, so pruning in winter should be minimal. Plant the heath at the same depth it was in its pot, but make sure it has good drainage. The shrub can tolerate some pruning in the spring to repair any damage caused by winter. Winter heaths are drought tolerant, but heavy pruning before hard frosts can kill them.
While not suited to a shady spot, Winter Heath is easy to grow once established. Morning sun is preferred, as afternoon shade deprives the plant of oxygen and stunts its development. This shrub has fragrant bell-shaped flowers, and blooms from December through February. Winter heath is deer-resistant. However, it requires plenty of sunlight to stay healthy and bloom well. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant, this is not the one for you.
