Small Shrubs

Planting small shrubs in a garden is recommended for people who are new to gardening. Managing them is much easier than other plants. Moreover, the landscape is given a unique look with the different colors and shades that these plants bring in. One should think about planting shrubs in the early spring. Planting at this time of the year allows the shrubs to adjust before winter and thereby, promotes a healthy growth.

Best Small to Medium Shrubs

Shrubs with small to medium size are good for backyard gardens. Landscaping with these shrubs becomes much easier. Descriptions of few important shrubs are presented in the paragraphs below.

Green Mountain Boxwood: This boxwood shrub reaches a height of 3 feet. It has the same width as its height. The botanical name of the green mountain boxwood is Buxus sempervirens. Clumping growth habit is the characteristic feature of this plant; it is a deer resistant plant. The green mountain boxwood grows in hardiness zones ranging from 6-8. This plants takes an oval shape as it grows bigger. The foliage of this plant are bright and showy which makes it appear attractive against the 'bland' winter backdrop. Small flowers are produced in the spring season. Bright to partial shade is considered suitable for growing the green mountain boxwood.

Wintergreen Cotoneaster: The drought tolerant wintergreen cotoneaster grows 3-4 feet in height. It can grow in a variety of soil types. Cotoneaster conspicuous is the botanical name of the winter cotoneaster. Leaves of the wintergreen cotoneaster are small and possess a shiny black shade. Although wintergreen cotoneaster grows in a variety of soil types, the soil need to be well drained. The plant thrives in hardiness zones ranging from 6-7. Bright sunlight is considered to be good for the healthy growth of this plant.

Annabelle: The 12 inch (diameter) flowers produced by Annabelle are their specialty. These flowers are white in color and are produced throughout the summer season. A mature Annabelle plant reaches the height of 4-5 feet. The expanse of this plant can be 3-5 feet. This plant can grow in a variety of soil types and light conditions (brightness).

Shrubs for Landscaping

Plants chosen for a particular setting should grow well in those climatic conditions. It is necessary to maintain enough space between these plants at the time of planting itself. It prevents the landscape from becoming overcrowded. Having information beforehand, about the height/overall size of the shrub at maturity is therefore, necessary.

Bagatelle Barberry: This plant grows up to the height of 1½ feet. It produces foliage that is deep red in color. In the fall season, leaves turn brighter in color. Berberis thunbergii is the botanical name of Bagatelle barberry.

Regent Serviceberry: The regent serviceberry plant produces green colored soft leaves. It is a flowering plant that grows 4-6 feet high; expanse of the shrub is almost the same as that of its height.

Alpine Current: The Alpine current produces upright branches and a dense growth of leaves. This plant is dwarf in nature; the foliage produced by Alpine current is dark green in color. In the fall season, leaves turn yellow in color.

List of Small Shrubs

Separate tables for small evergreen shrubs and the deciduous ones are given below.

Evergreen

Bearberry

American Yew

Creeping Juniper

Bog Rosemary

Dwarf Cedar

Dwarf Balsam Fir

Leucothoe

Dwarf Hemlock

Lingonberry

Leucothoe

Siberian Carpet Cypress

Sheep Laurel

Deciduous

Bristly Locust

Cutleaf Stephanandra

Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle

Dwarf Arctic Willow

Dwarf Fothergilla

Flowering Quince

Flowering Almond

Hancock Coralberry

Fragrant Sumac

Mapleleaf Viburnum

Indiancurrant Coralberry

Rhodora

Potentilla

Silver Creeping Willow

Summersweet

Snowberry

Sweet Gale

Sweet Fern

The descriptions of small shrubs and bushes presented in this article should be useful from the point of understanding about a variety of such plants.