Shrubs are an essential part of any well-designed garden. Mainly known for their beauty, these plants bring many benefits to your landscape. For example, they serve as a living privacy border from your neighbor’s yard, provide the bees, birds, and butterflies a sanctuary, give us fresher air to breathe, and even increase your home’s resale value.
Furthermore, strategically planting different flowering shrub varieties will ensure that your garden will stay attractive year-round, no matter the season. There are many shrubs out there, and if you’re looking for the best ones to plant, you’re in the right place! Below is a list of five flowering shrubs that you can easily grow for your home garden.
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Hydrangeas
While they can be grown as trees and vines, hydrangeas are commonly known to be attractive shrubs. They grow rather tall, reaching up to 15 feet in height if you allow them to be. These plants bloom during summer and spring, boasting vibrant, colorful globes of flowers for everyone to admire.
Moreover, contrary to popular belief, hydrangeas do not take a lot of effort to grow. In fact, water, mulch, fertilizer, and protection against pests are all the basics when caring for them. In addition, they love the sun in the morning but hate the heat in the afternoon, so ensure you grow them in a location with suitable conditions.
Avoid planting them near any trees, though. This will result in competition for water and soil, making it hard for your plants to thrive. Learn More about growing hydrangeas to make your garden look incredible.
Lilac
Nothing says “Spring is here!” as well as the fragrant scent of freshly bloomed lilacs. Its flowers come in hues of purple, pink, and white and are a great addition to any garden. They love the sun but are hardy enough to survive in any condition. However, if you want the best possible flowers, place them somewhere they can get six full hours of sunlight.
They are prone to attacks from slugs and snails, so always keep an eye out for any of these pests. In addition, give them space to grow; don’t grow them right up against any structures to prevent powdery white mildew. Except for their need for regular pruning, lilacs are generally low-maintenance shrubs.
Forsythia
When spring arrives, you can always bet on your forsythia to be the first plant to bring vibrance to your garden! While others might be deterred of its short bloom time lasting only two weeks, this fast-growing shrub is undoubtedly worth your time and effort as it sprouts the prettiest canary-yellow flowers.
They can stand poor garden soil, but only if you provide them with full sun. In addition, they grow rapidly. Forsythias can add 24 inches to their size every year, so unless you want them wild-looking, constantly prune them to your desired shape and size.
The shrubs differ in size depending on the cultivar you have, but if you have the larger varieties, such as the Beatrix Farrand, you can expect them to grow up to ten feet high. To add, bees and butterflies love forsythias, so if you’re hoping to have a livelier garden, planting them is definitely a must!
Azalea
If your garden has acidic soil, why don’t you try growing azaleas? Also known as the “Royalty of the Garden,” these flowering shrubs come in white, peach, coral, and purple shades. Indeed, planting azaleas will instantly brighten up any drab landscape.
Unlike the rest of the shrubs listed here, azaleas prefer cooler weather. As such, keep them in a shaded location with well-drained soil. If you want to try growing them, just remember to provide them with lots of mulch. Pine needles, pine, oakleaf mold, and aged oak are among the best materials to keep your soil moist and acidic for azaleas.
Rose of Sharon
Despite its name, the Rose of Sharon is part of the Hibiscus family. It is one of the most popular shrubs, mainly because of its exotic-looking flowers. They bloom through late-summer to mid-autumn and are highly attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
The Rose of Sharon proliferates quickly, so don’t be surprised if you see it growing in other areas in your garden. Fret not; you may just remove them if they happen to be somewhere unwanted. Furthermore, if you want to create hedges, this shrub is a perfect candidate due to its ability to hold its shape.
Takeaway
Painting your landscape with flowers is a task that provides you with a great sense of accomplishment. Moreover, since many plants bloom at different times, it is a hobby that you can enjoy all year long. Indeed, adding flowering shrubs to your garden will add to your overall happiness. There are many shrub varieties out there, but this list provides you with great home ideas to help you choose which plant to grow for your beloved home garden.