When selecting a new plant for your landscape, the type of conditions it is growing in is vital. Learn how to choose shrubs based on the type of light they need, and consider flowering and low maintenance. You may even consider planting in a container! You will be pleasantly surprised at the diversity and beauty of plants available in the landscape world! Read on to learn more about some of the best shrubs for landscapes that can withstand different conditions.
Low-maintenance
Low-maintenance shrubs are a great choice for your landscape. They provide year-round interest and can fill in gaps between trees and low-growing perennials. Shrubs have the added advantage of being hardy and tolerant of many types of weather. They can also be self-cleaning, particularly if they flower. Regardless of the type of shrub you choose, make sure they provide you with a wide range of colors, shapes, and textures.
Some of the most versatile low-maintenance shrubs for landscape include junipers. These shrubs are drought-tolerant and do not require irrigation in dry climates. They are also easy to shape and maintain. They even survive winter months in cold climates. For the most low-maintenance junipers, choose Blue Star juniper, a slow-growing variety that does not require pruning. Some other varieties of junipers can crowd walkways and driveways.
Another low-maintenance shrub is the Japanese barberry. This shrub grows to be four to six feet tall and has arching branches. The foliage of Japanese barberry changes to yellow, orange, or red in the fall and bears bead-like red berries in the winter. These shrubs tolerate a wide range of climates and can thrive in both full sun and light shade. They’re hardy to -30deg.
Dwarf hydrangeas are also low-maintenance shrubs. They require little care, thrive in partial shade, and require little water. They also have good disease resistance and are easy to prune for faster blooming. Many varieties of shrub roses grow in USDA zones two through nine. A climber can grow up to five feet tall. They’re also great accent shrubs. These low-maintenance shrubs can be used for flowering hedges and shrub borders.
Another low-maintenance shrub is the boxwood. These shrubs can grow to up to 12 feet tall and can be used as foundation plants, living fences, or pathway borders. Boxwood requires minimal maintenance – only pruning and topiary plant care. These shrubs grow slowly, but they’re resistant to diseases and require little care, other than a weekly watering schedule. Hydrangeas require average watering and pruning.
Flowering
Flowering shrubs are a great choice for landscapes because they add color, structure, and a variety of pollinators to your yard. These plants grow well in containers and are perfect for foundation plantings, walkways, and pool areas. If you want to plant shrubs that bloom all year round, you can choose a variety of reblooming lilacs, spirea, and hydrangeas.
Hydrangeas are easy to grow and reliable flowering shrubs. The blooms of hydrangeas are white or pink, and they grow four to six feet tall. Because they are tough and disease-resistant, they can grow anywhere in the country. These plants can be pruned in the fall to reduce their size and maintain a lush landscape. Aside from their flowers, hydrangeas can also tolerate long periods of drought and temperature fluctuations.
Another good choice for landscapes is the patchweed, a low-growing plant with hundreds of tiny flowers that creates a bright spot in the garden. A flowering shrub that blooms all summer, patchweed does not require heavy pruning and is winter hardy. It is also unpretentious to the soil and does best in the light penumbra. It is an annual, so you will need to prune it each year.
Another popular choice for flowering shrubs is the derain, a fern-like plant with green leaves that turn red in the fall. This shrub is deer resistant and can be used for hedges. While it is a fast-growing plant, it requires some care to prevent over-tree growth. However, it does not lose its ornamental qualities even if it is bare throughout the winter. Flowering shrubs are an excellent way to attract pollinators to your yard.
The African scurf pea is a shade-loving flowering shrub with purple and white flowers that bloom from spring through July. This plant is good for borders and attracts pollinators like bees and birds. The shrubs grow three to nine feet high and can tolerate some shade. You can prune them to keep them bushy, but remember that they are poisonous if eaten. So don’t let them eat the flowers!
Part sun/part shade
Part sun/part shade shrubs are an excellent choice for a variety of reasons. These plants do not require much care and thrive in most soil types. In addition to being attractive, they don’t suffer from many insect or disease problems. Some varieties even grow well in pots! Below, you’ll find a list of the best shrubs for partial shade. Listed below are just a few of the many choices available for the part sun/part shade landscape.
Before choosing a part sun/part shade shrub for your landscape, it is important to decide on how much shade your landscape receives. The sun exposure varies from four to six hours per day, but it does not have to be continuous. You can also have morning sun and afternoon shade. This will allow the plant to grow its best. As a general rule, part-shade plants need a lot of intense sun exposure, while part-shade plants require less direct sunlight.
Shade plants grow to three feet tall and can be trimmed to the desired height. Shade-loving varieties of these plants are easy to trim to keep at a manageable size. Some varieties are dwarf varieties, and you can choose a dwarf variety of Azalea, Forsythia, or Japanese Andromeda. If you choose to plant a full-sun plant in a partially shaded area, remember to consider the size of the shrub’s mature size and its impact on neighboring properties.
Perennials that do not require full sun are also good choices for partially shaded areas. Part-shade plants require less sunlight and will grow better if it has partial shade. Often called part-shade perennials, they do well in landscapes that receive partial sun and afternoon shade. Some of the best choices for part-shade settings include Hibiscus, clematis, and hydrangea.
Container planting
If you’re looking for a one-two punch of color in your yard, consider adding shrubs to your container planting scheme. Shrubs can be planted in pots during the growing season, and then transplanted into planting beds in the fall. Shrubs are easy to grow and care for, making them an excellent choice for container planting. Listed below are some of the best options for container planting shrubs for landscape:
Before planting, make sure you choose a plant that will thrive in your climate. Make sure to plant your shrubs six weeks before the ground freezes. Also, a layer of bark mulch (preferably shredded) should cover the soil. If your soil is not very wet or dry, place some evergreen branches around the base of the plant. Once it has rooted properly, it will last at least three seasons and may even flower in your garden.
When selecting container plants, consider how much moisture they need. For example, taller shrubs may require daily watering, while shorter ones may only need weekly watering. Different soil mixes will drain faster than others. A sandy soil mix may drain more quickly than a rich, organic mix. Also, keep in mind that a container plant can weigh up to several tons, so consider using a crane or large forklift to transport it to its final destination.
You can also choose to plant shrubs in containers if you don’t have an outdoor area. Container-grown shrubs have many advantages, including being easy to maintain and having the same colorful display as an annual flower. Whether you need privacy or space, you can find a shrub to match your needs. Even if you don’t have a large garden, there are plenty of options for shrubs to suit your needs.
Before planting any shrubs in a container, consider how much sunlight, moisture, and temperature extremes they will need. Choose a plant that is hardy in two zones colder than your own zone. Make sure to bring your container plants inside for the winter if you live in an area with cold winters. Choosing a container for your shrubs should be proportionately deep to the size of the plant. The larger the container, the less likely it will be to tip over.
