Shrubs

Long-lived and resilient, shrubs add structure to the landscape and create a backdrop for garden beds. Diverse species exhibit a range of qualities, including showy flowers, fragrance, fall color, and food and shelter for wildlife. Well-placed shrubs can be the most care-free plants in the garden, needing little attention once they become established.

Shrubs have something to offer year-round. Azaleas, rhododendrons, and bridal wreath spiraea ring in spring with an explosion of early flowers. As the mercury rises, warm breezes bear the heavenly scent of lilacs, giving way to that of roses and clethra. Berried shrubs including holly and viburnum are examples of the bounty of autumn, a season when other shrubs, such as winged euonymus display their brightest foliage colors. Broad-leaved and needled evergreen shrubs carry the garden through winter. As the new year begins, the carmine bark of red-osier dogwood shows its richest color, and witch hazel defies nature by blooming during the coldest season of the year.

Use shrubs to fill out the space under trees or to feather the edge between wooded and open areas. A shrub grouping requires little care, and can take the place of trees in small gardens. Almost every house appears more anchored-with a few shrubs around its foundation, and farther from the house shrubs can frame desirable views, screen out undesirable ones, or soften the look of walls or fences. Some, such as hydrangeas, even thrive in containers.

To grow shrubs successfully, you must find the right match for your situation. The plant's requirements must come first, because a shrub that's unhealthy from being grown in an inappropriate spot will never live up to its potential. The entries that follow provide all this information and more. The shrubs presented here are easy to establish and maintain. Some require no fertilizing or pruning, and rarely need watering once established, because the root system grows deep and extensive, and has no trouble finding nutrients and moisture.

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Moist, loamy well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial to full shade
ATTRIBUTES: Tubular flowers in a range of colors; for beds, woodland gardens, pots
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring to early summer for flowers; year-round for evergreen types
FAVORITES: All native species, Knap Hill, Northern Lights, Indian, Encore hybrids
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Open woodland settings
QUIRKS: Prefers shallow planting and acid soil with a pH of 4.5-6.0
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Dogwood, ferns, hosta, holly, pines, serviceberry, silverbell, spring bulbs
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Root rot; lace bugs
PRUNING: Remove damaged wood or shape plants after flowering
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 2-20 ft (0.6-6.1 m) tall, 2-12 ft (0.6-3.7 m) wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 5 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral to slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Moist, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Green, red-purple, or gold foliage; fall berries; for beds, hedges
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring to fall; year-round for evergreens
FAVORITES: B. julianae; B. thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy', 'Rose Glow'; B. x mentorensis
QUIRKS: Strong sun intensifies leaf coloring
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Euonymus, holly, foliage plants with chartreuse or burgundy leaves, juniper
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Full sun in fertile, well-drained soil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Plant may grow poorly and colored leaves may revert to green in shade
PRUNING: Prune in early spring to remove damaged wood, control size, or renew
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 3-7 ft (1-2.1 m) tall and equally wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 5 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Blue flowers that attract butterflies, gray-green foliage; for beds, hedges
SEASON OF INTEREST: Early summer to fall
FAVORITES: 'Arthur Simmonds', 'Dark Knight', 'Heavenly Blue', 'Worcester Gold'
QUIRKS: Grows like a hardy perennial where winters are cold
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Aster, chrysanthemum, daylily, purple cone-flower, rose, rudbeckia
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Sun in any average garden soil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Root rot where drainage is poor
PRUNING: Prune in early spring; in mild climates, prune again in midsummer
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 2-3 ft (0.6-1 m) tall and equally wide

Fundamental Facts:

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Acid to neutral
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Moist, loamy
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Fragrant flowers in white or pink; for beds, edgings, specimens
SEASON OF INTEREST: Summer
FAVORITES: 'Ruby Spice', 'Rosea', 'Pink Spires', 'Hummingbird', 'Paniculata'
QUIRKS: Thrives in soggy soils
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Azalea, serviceberry, hydrangea, Japanese anemone, spring bulbs
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Moist woodland settings
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Beetles, red spider mites
PRUNING: Clip off old seed heads in early spring
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 3-8 ft (1-2.4 m) tall and 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Adaptable
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun
ATTRIBUTES: Spreading semi-evergreen plants with four-season interest; for groundcover
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring through winter
FAVORITES: C. dammeri, C. adpressus, C. horizontalis, C. apiculatus
QUIRKS: Grows wider than it is tall
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Best grown in masses
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Slopes and other well-drained spots
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Spider miles
PRUNING: Rarely needed; prune overgrown plants hard in winter or early spring
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: Groundcover species to 3 ft (1 m) tall and 6 ft (1.8 m) wide

Fundamental Facts:

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral to slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Colorful variegated or fall foliage; for beds, groundcover
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring through fall
FAVORITES: E. alatus, E. japonicus, E. fortunei and their cultivars
QUIRKS: Plants produce best coloration when grown in full sun
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Boxwood, juniper, magnolia, wax myrtle
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In sun and fertile soil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Rare for winged euonymus; scale and powdery mildew on other species
PRUNING: Prune in early spring to remove diseased stems and rejuvenate plants
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: E. alatus to 12 ft (3.7 m) tall, 8 ft (2.4 m) wide; E. japonicus to 15 ft (4.6 m) tall, 10 ft (3 m) wide, E. fortuneir 3-10 ft (1-3 m) tall and wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral to slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Graceful shrubs with profuse yellow blossoms; for beds, hedges, specimens
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring to fall
FAVORITES: 'Meadowlark', 'Northern Sun', 'Spring Glory', 'Lynwood', 'Gold Tide'
QUIRKS: Improper pruning reduces flowering
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Flowering cherry, lilac, spring-flowering bulbs
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In sun and average garden soil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Poor flowering due to aggressive pruning
PRUNING: Every 2-3 years, remove up to one-third of the oldest stems after blooming
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 2-8 ft (0.6-2.4 m) toll, 4-8 ft (1.2-2.4 m) wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Lustrous leaves, berries; for beds, specimens
SEASON OF INTEREST: Year-round for evergreens
FAVORITES: I. aquifolium, I. cornuta, I. crenata, I. glabra, I. x meserveae, I. verticillata
QUIRKS: Both male and female plants needed for good fruit set
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Boxwood, euonymus, juniper, spirea
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Any soil and at least a hair day of sun
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Spider mites, scale
PRUNING: To shape plants, prune anytime from early spring to midsummer
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 18 in-25 ft (45 7 cm-7.6 m) tall. 3-12 ft (1-3.7 m) wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly alkaline to slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Rich, moist, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Handsome deep green leaves; large clusters of white, pink, blue flowers
SEASON OF INTEREST: Early summer to fall
FAVORITES: H. macrophylla, H. quercifolia, H. arborescens, H. paniculata
QUIRKS: Flower color can change
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Azalea, mountain laurel, rhododendron
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In fertile, moist, well-drained soil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Soil pH above 7.0 can cause leaf yellowing
PRUNING: Prune plants right after flowering
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 3-15 ft (1-4.6 m) tall and wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Adaptable
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Full sun
ATTRIBUTES: Hardy evergreens; use as foundation shrubs, accents, groundcovers
SEASON OF INTEREST: Year-round
FAVORITES: Choose locally adopted cultivars by size, shape, and color
QUIRKS: Grows poorly in wet soil
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Candytuft, daylily, spring-flowering bulbs
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Full sun in any well-drained site
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Twig blight, bagworm, insect scale
PRUNING: Plants live decades; prune only to remove damaged branches
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: Varies with type, from 6 in (15.2 cm) to IS ft (4.6 m) high, and from 3 to 12 ft (1 to 3.7 m) wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 2 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral to slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Well-drained sandy loam
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun
ATTRIBUTES: Fragrant white, pink, yellow, or purple flowers; for specimens, hedges
SEASON OF INTEREST: Late spring to fall
FAVORITES: 'Ester Staley', 'Blanche Sweet', 'Sensation', 'Palibin', 'Miss Kim'
QUIRKS: Flowers on old wood
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Azalea, candytuft, crocus, daffodil, forsythia, tulip, perennials
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In sun, well-drained soil, and cool climates
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Powdery mildew, lilac borers
PRUNING: Lives for decades; cut one-fourth of old stems to ground level in winter
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 4-15 ft (1.2-4.6 m) tall and equally wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 5 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, moist, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Hollylike leaves, yellow flowers, blue berries; for beds, foundations
SEASON OF INTEREST: Year-round
FAVORITES: Oregon grape holly, leatherleaf mahonia, and their cultivars
QUIRKS: Very sensitive to sunburn and windburn
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Azalea, barberry, ferns, hosta, pachysandra, lamium, epimedium
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Partial shade with wind protection
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Parched leaves from excessive sun
PRUNING: Lives many years; cut out oldest canes at ground level in winter
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 3-8 ft (1-2.4 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-1.8 m) wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, moist, organic
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Clusters of cuplike flowers; for foundations, woodland gardens
SEASON OF INTEREST: Year-round for foliage; blooms late spring to early summer
FAVORITES: Standard 'Bullseye', 'Olympic Fire'; dwarf 'Elf, 'Tiddlywinks'
QUIRKS: May develop root rot and languish or die in poorly drained soil
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Azalea, hydrangea, dogwood, rhododendron, winterberry holly, ferns
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Rocky woodland areas with cold winters and mild summers
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Leaf spot, root rot
PRUNING: Lives many years; prune rarely, only to remove dead twigs
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: Wild species 8-12 ft (2.4-3.7 m) tall, 8 ft 12.4 m) wide; cultivated forms 2-8 ft (0.6-2.4 m) tall, 2-6 ft (0.6-1.8 m) wide; leaves 5 in (12.7 cm) long

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 2 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Adaptable
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Attractive mounding shape, green needles
SEASON OF INTEREST: Year-round
FAVORITES: 'White Bud', 'Big Tuna', 'Winter Gold', 'Ophir'
QUIRKS: Seed-grown plants may lack uniformity and not resemble the parents
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Ornamental grasses, sun-loving perennials
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Sun in a wide range of climates
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Pine sawfly
PRUNING: Lives for decades; to control size, snap off candles in late spring
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 2-5 ft (0.6-1.5 m) tall. 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 2 to 7
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average, moist
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Vivid red or yellow stems in winter; for specimens, hedges, slopes
SEASON OF INTEREST: Year-round
FAVORITES 'Flaviramea', 'Kelseyi', 'Cardinal', 'Sibirica', C. sanguinea, 'White Gold'
QUIRKS: Cold temperatures improve stem color
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Holly, juniper, mahonia, mugo pine, ornamental grasses, ivy
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In sun and cold climates
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Powdery mildew, leaf spots in damp, stagnant air
PRUNING: Lives for decades; thin stems or prune back severely in late winter
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 4-10 ft (1.2-3 m) tall and equally wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 5 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial to full shade
ATTRIBUTES: Large flowers, leathery leaves; for specimens, foundations, beds
SEASON OF INTEREST: Year-round; blooms late spring to summer
FAVORITES: Choose varieties suited to local conditions by size and flower color
QUIRKS: Leaves temporarily droop and curl as o protective response to cold weather
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Azalea, fern, mountain laurel, hydrangea, mahonia, dogwood, holly
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Partial shade in moist, organically rich soil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Dieback, lacebug, root rot
PRUNING: Lives for decades; prune only to remove dead or damaged wood
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 3-10 ft (1-3 m)tall, 4-15 ft (1.2-4.6 m) wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Near neutral
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, loamy
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun
ATTRIBUTES: Beautiful, fragrant flowers; for specimens, beds, groundcovers, hedges
SEASON OF INTEREST: Late spring to fall
FAVORITES: Landscape, English, rugosa, Horibunda, and hybrid tea roses
QUIRKS: Plants will rebloom if deadheaded and fertilized after each flowering
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Allium, biuebeard, candytuft, catmint, lavender, petunia, sweet alyssum
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Sunny, well-drained sites with moderate winters
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Blackspot, powdery mildew; Japanese beetles
PRUNING Lives for decades; prune in late winter to remove dead wood
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Fair; vulnerable to deer and rabbits
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 3-6 ft (1-1.8 m) tall, 2-5 ft (0.6-1.5 m) wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Airy flower clusters, colorful foliage; for specimens, beds, foundations
SEASON OF INTEREST: Late spring through fall
FAVORITES: 'Velvet Cloak', 'Royal Purple', 'Purpureus', Rubrifolius group
QUIRKS: Rich or very acid soil leads to poor flowering
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Artemisia, Russian sage, dusty miller, new Guinea impatiens, coleus
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Adapts to many climates and soils
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Usually trouble-free
PRUNING: Lives for decades; prune to shape plant or remove damaged branches
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 10-15 ft (3-4.6 m) tall and equally wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Adaptable
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun lo partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Graceful while, pink, or red flowers; for specimens, hedges, beds
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring to fall
FAVORITES: Bridalwreath, Vanhoutte spirea; S. joponica 'Shibori', 'Goldflame'
QUIRKS: Plants can bounce bock from winter damage, neglect, and overpruning
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Azalea, euonymus, iris, juniper
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Thrives in a range of climates and soils
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Occasionally aphids
PRUNING: Lives for decades; type and time of pruning depends on variety
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) tall and equally wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 10
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Lovely flowers, colorful berries, fall foliage; for beds, hedges, specimens
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring through late fall; year-round for evergreens
FAVORITES: Choose cultivars matched to your climate and site
QUIRKS: Fruit set is heaviest when multiple plants are grown
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Bluebeard, euonymus, forsythia, juniper, lilac, spirea, summersweet
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Growing conditions depend on the cultivar
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Aphids; fungal leaf spot diseases
PRUNING: Lives far years; prune in spring or after flowering, depending on type
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 3-20 ft (1-6.1 m) tall and wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 10
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Adaptable
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Fragrant foliage, waxy fruits; for beds, hedges, foundations
SEASON OF INTEREST: Year-round
FAVORITES: Cold-tolerant M. pensylvanica; heat-tolerant M. cerifera, M. californica
QUIRKS: Foliage and berries are used to scent candles
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Holly, juniper, lacebark pine, mahonia, mugo pine, ornamental grasses
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Sun to partial shade in sandy, infertile soil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Spider mites are a rare pest in hot, dry weather; otherwise care-free
PRUNING: Lives for years; prune in spring to remove any damaged branches
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: M. pensylvanica 5-10 ft (1.5-3 m) tall and wide; M. cerifera and M. californica 15-20 ft (4.6-6.1 m) tall and wide

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 lo 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Fragrant crinkled flowers; for beds, foundations, woodland gardens
SEASON OF INTEREST: Winter to early spring and fall
FAVORITES: 'Arnold Promise', 'Diane', 'Carmine Red'; 'Pallida'; H. vemalis; H. virginiana
QUIRKS: Some plants retain brown leaves in winter
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Azalea, holly, mahonia, rhododendron
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Open woodlands or woodland edges
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Essentially problem free
PRUNING: Lives for years; prune to shape plant; remove suckers
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 10-20 ft (3-6.1 m) tall and 8-12 ft (2.4-3.7 m) wide