10 Shrubs You'll Love

HYDRANGEA

These popular shrubs bloom in summer, usually in shades of white, blue, purple or pink. There are many varieties and sizes to choose from, as well as different flower shapes. Hydrangeas can be grown in Zones 3-9 and most perform their best in part shade.

Incrediball® hydrangea blooms with enormous, long-lasting flower heads on sturdy stems. Zones 3-8.

Learn more about hydrangeas.

NINEBARK

This flowering shrub has varieties available for Zones 2-8. Ninebarks grow with a naturally elegant habit and it’s best to avoid regularly pruning them (yay for low-maintenance!). The flowering branches can also be used in cut flower arrangements.

Summer Wine® ninebark has fine, dark foliage and blooms white button-like flowers in early summer. A trouble-free addition to Zone 3-7 gardens.

Learn more about growing ninebark.

POTENTILLA

Another flowering favorite, commonly called shrubby cinquefoil, grows well in full to part sun in Zones 3-7. Potentilla is a versatile, long-blooming shrub that looks good as a low hedge or in a mixed border.

Happy Face® Pink Paradise Potentilla brings its cheery pink flowers to cold-climate gardens all summer long. Zones 2-7.

Learn more about growing potentilla.

ELDERBERRRY

These large shrubs produce attractive flowers and edible fruits. Elderberry shrubs can spread somewhat aggressively and are best used in larger landscapes where they can naturalize. There are also slightly smaller varieties available, such as Lemony Lace®.

Black Lace® elderberry blooms with pink flowers against unique lacy, black foliage. This tough and adaptable plant is also deer resistant and grows to 7 to 8 feet tall and slightly wider. Zones 4-7.

Learn more about elderberry shrubs.

SPIREA

Durable and very low maintenance, spirea are perfect for shrub borders, along walkways and in butterfly gardens. They keep a moderately sized, mounded shape and grow about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Most are suitable for Zones 3-8, but some can handle the heat up to Zone 9.

Double Play® Big Bang spirea attracts hummingbirds with its large pink blooms. It is also deer resistant, drought tolerant and maintains a nice shape without pruning. Zones 3-8.

Learn more about spirea.

LILAC

These sun-loving, easy-to-grow, flowering shrubs have heavily scented blooms that attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. Best in Zones 3-8, because they require a cold, dormant period over winter.

Bloomerang® Dark Purple reblooming lilac blooms mid-to-late spring and then again in mid-to-late summer, each time perfuming the air for weeks. Also noted for exceptional deer and disease resistance.

Learn more about lilacs.

WEIGELA

An old-fashioned beauty, weigelas are tough, hardy, and don’t require a whole lot of maintenance. Plant them in full sun and they will bloom abundantly.

Sonic Bloom® Pink weigela starts blooming in May and continues in waves all summer until frost and grows 4 to 5 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-8.

ROSE OF SHARON

Surprisingly hardy for a tropical-looking flowering shrub. Rose of Sharon plants add a splash of sunshine anywhere they’re planted. Varieties available in Zones 5-9, these large shrubs bloom from early summer until first frost.

Purple Pillar® rose of Sharon is unique in that it grows in an upright column instead of a wider, spreading habit. Perfect for adding color to narrow spaces. Zones 5-9.

Learn more about rose of Sharon.

VIBURNUM

Low maintenance, deer resistant, attractive foliage, abundant blooms, fall color and winter fruit? Viburnum says yes to all of the above. Available in a wide range of sizes and varieties suitable for Zones 2-11.

Blue Muffin® Arrowwood Viburnum blooms with creamy white flowers in summer followed by bright blue fruit that attracts birds in fall. Zones 3-8.

Learn more about viburnum.

BUTTERFLY BUSH

Non-invasive varieties are widely available, much to the delight of pollinators everywhere. Often called summer lilac, these shrubs bloom in shades of pink, purple, blue, orange and white and range from 18” tall to 7 feet.

‘Miss Molly’ butterfly bush has intensely colored, ruby-pink flowers that attract not only butterflies, but hummingbirds and other pollinators. A non-invasive variety that grows in Zones 5-9.

Learn more about butterfly bush.