28 Best Flowering Shrubs for Season-Long Color

CAMELLIA (Camellia sp.)

Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Partial to full shade
Mature size: 6 to 12 feel tall and wide
Bloom time: Late fall through spring, depending on variety
Flower colors: Red, pink, white

Camellia is the standout of the winter garden, bearing showy rose-like blooms in shades of white, pink, or red when other shrubs are dormant. The glossy, green foliage of this broadleafed evergreen is also attractive year-round. The bloom season is long and by staggering plantings of early-, mid- and late-season varieties, you can have flowers from November through April or May. Learn more about growing camellias and their bloom times.

Pictured: Just Chill® Double Pink camellia from Proven Winners.

FORSYTHIA (Forsythia spp.)

Zones: 3-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; flowers best in full sun
Mature size: 1 to 20 feet tall, 3 to 10 feet wide, depending on variety
Bloom time: Early to mid-spring
Flower colors: Bright yellow

The vibrant canary-yellow flowers of forsythia are like the first ray of sunshine after the dark days of winter, covering each arching branch with a profusion of blooms lasting one to two weeks. The welcome explosion of yellow flowers makes this shrub well worth planting, despite the short bloom time. Learn more about growing forsythia shrubs.

Pictured: Show Off® forsythia from Proven Winners.

FLOWERING QUINCE (Chaenomeles speciosa)

Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun
Mature size: 6 to 10 feet tall and wide; some compact cultivars to only 3 or 4 feet
Bloom time: Early to mid-spring
Flower colors: Shades of red, orange, coral, pink, and white

Flowering quince blooms earlier than other spring-flowering shrubs, appearing as early as late January in the South, and March in northern areas. Adaptable and easy to grow, quince is also tolerant of heat, dry conditions, and a wide range of soil types. Learn more about growing flowering quince.

Pictured: Double Take® Peach flowering quince from Proven Winners.

KOREAN SPICE VIBURNUM (Viburnum carlesii)

Zones: 4-8
Exposure: Partial to full sun
Mature size: 6 to 8 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: April
Flower colors: White, pink

This showy shrub produces clusters of pastel-pink buds in late March that open to domed clusters of white or pink-flushed flowers. However, it’s the heady fragrance, similar to spice cake, that makes this exceptional species a delightful addition to the garden. Learn more about growing viburnum shrubs.

Pictured: Spice Girl® Korean Spice Biburnum from Proven Winners.

WITCH HAZEL (Hamamelis spp.)

Zones: 4-9, varies by species
Exposure: Full sun to filtered shade, bloom best in full sun
Mature size: 10 to 20 feet tall and wide, depending on variety
Bloom time: Mid to late winter (January to March for most hybrids, October to December for H. virginiana)
Flower colors: Shades of red, orange, and yellow

A standout in the winter garden, witch hazel blooms when little else does, with fragrant, spidery flowers on bare branches. Native and hybrid varieties are easy to grow, deer-resistant, and thrive in sun or part shade with regular water. Learn more about growing witch hazel.

WINTER DAPHNE (Daphne odora spp.)

Zones: 7-9
Exposure: Partial shade
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
Flower colors: Pink to white with a deep pink center

Known for its intensely fragrant blooms, winter daphne produces clusters of pinkish flowers in late winter, just when they're most welcome. Best planted near entryways or paths, this compact evergreen shrub prefers well-drained soil and afternoon shade.

CHINESE FRINGE FLOWER (Loropetalum chinense)

Zones: 7-10
Exposure: Full sun to light shade; best bloom and color in full sun
Mature size: 1 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 10 feet wide, depending on variety
Bloom time: Mid-spring with sporadic rebloom
Flower colors: Pink, white

With its tassel-like blooms and colorful evergreen foliage, loropetalum adds vibrant texture to warm-climate gardens. Flowering in spring with occasional rebloom, it’s low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and comes in a wide range of sizes and leaf colors from burgundy to chartreuse. Learn more about how to grow Chinese fringe flower.

Pictured: Jazz Hands Bold® Chinese fringe-flower from Proven Winners.

WINTER JASMINE (Jasminum nudiflorum)

Zones: 6-10
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature size: Up to 15 feet tall with support; 3 to 4 feet wide when sprawling
Bloom time: Late winter
Flower colors: Bright yellow

Often confused with forsythia, winter jasmine blooms earlier and longer, with cheerful yellow flowers that can last up to 8 weeks. This versatile shrub has green stems that add winter interest and can be grown as a groundcover or trained to climb.

MAHONIA (Mahonia spp.)

Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature size: 1 to 10 feet tall, 2 to 8 feet wide
Bloom time: Winter, spring, or fall; depending on the variety
Flower colors: Bright yellow

Mahonia is a tough, evergreen shrub valued for its spiny, holly-like leaves, bright yellow flower clusters, and ornamental berries that provide year-round interest. It's an easy-care option for foundation plantings or naturalistic landscapes, and its textured foliage is typically avoided by deer.

LILAC (Syringa spp. and hybrids)

Zones: 3-8 for most, a few hardy to Zone 2
Exposure: Full sun; will tolerate some light shade
Mature size: 5 to 15 feet tall and wide, depending on variety
Bloom time: Late April to May; again in summer for rebloomers.
Flower colors: Purple, pink, white

Throw open your windows on a warm day in May, and you’re apt to be greeted by the intoxicating, unmistakable fragrance of spring-blooming lilacs. Early-, mid- and late-season cultivars extend the bloom time for at least 6 weeks. Reblooming varieties bloom once in spring and again in summer through fall. Learn more about growing lilacs.

Pictured: Jazz Hands Bold® Chinese fringe-flower from Proven Winners.

AZALEA (Rhododendron spp. )

Zones: 6-9 for most; some deciduous types hardy to Zones 3-5
Exposure: Partial shade; full sun in cooler climates
Mature size: 1 to 20 feet tall and 2 to 20 feet wide, depending on variety
Bloom time: Early spring into summer; some varieties rebloom through fall
Flower colors: Shades of pink, white, purple, crimson, and yellow

A spring garden favorite, azaleas offer vivid, funnel-shaped blooms and evergreen or deciduous foliage. With hundreds of varieties—from compact groundcovers to large screens—they thrive in acidic soil and filtered light, and some cultivars bloom again later in the season. Read more on how to grow azalea plants.

Pictured: Perfecto Mundo® Double Pink reblooming azalea from Proven Winners.

WEIGELA (Weigela florida)

Zones: 4-8
Exposure: Full sun; will tolerate partial shade
Mature size: Varies; from 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide to 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide
Bloom time: Mid to late spring, with sparser rebloom in summer and fall
Flower colors: Shades of red, pink, white, and yellow

Gardeners love this popular shrub not only for its abundance of white or pink flowers on arching branches, but also for its unflappable nature and reliable performance. The trumpet-shaped flowers are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds, and often continue to bloom in scattered fashion from mid to late summer. Learn more about growing weigela shrubs.

Pictured: Sonic Bloom® Pink weigela from Proven Winners.

SHRUB ROSE (Rosa spp.)

Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun
Mature size: 1 to 4 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Early summer through fall
Flower colors: Shades of red, pink, white, yellow, and peach

Shrub roses are quickly becoming the go-to darlings of the rose world, taking the best traits of the hardiest rose species and combining them with attributes of repeat blooming and minimal maintenance. Learn more about how to grow shrub roses.

Pictured: Oso Easy Double Red® rose from Proven Winners.

CINQUEFOIL (Potentilla fruticosa)

Zones: 2-7
Exposure: Partial to full sun
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: June through September
Flower colors: Yellow, pink, orange, or white

Cinquefoil is one of the easiest shrubs to grow, featuring good drought tolerance, excellent winter hardiness, and little need for aggressive pruning. Besides yellow, dozens of cultivars of cinquefoil are available in other hues, including white, pink, and tangerine. Learn more about how to grow cinquefoil shrubs.

Pictured: Happy Face® Yellow cinquefoil from Proven Winners.

SPIREA (Spiraea spp.)

Zones: 4-8
Exposure: Full sun
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: June to August
Flower colors: Pink or purple

Summer-blooming Japanese spirea are a favorite of many gardeners because of their clusters of long-lasting summer flowers and good fall leaf color. Double Play® Candy Corn® is a popular, easy-care cultivar that produces showy dark purple bloom clusters surrounded by yellow and orange foliage. Learn more about how to grow spirea bushes.

Pictured: Double Play Doozie® spirea from Proven Winners.

BUTTONBUSH (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 6 to 12 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: June to September
Flower colors: White

Showy pincushion-like flowers attract butterflies, moths, and other beneficial insects. Native to much of the U.S., this sturdy carefree shrub makes a good substitute in areas where butterfly bush is invasive. Learn more about how to grow buttonbush.

Pictured: Sugar Shack® buttonbush from Proven Winners.

SUMMERSWEET (Clethra alnifolia)

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Partial shade
Mature size: 3 to 8 feet tall, 3 to 6 feet wide, depnding on variety
Bloom time: Late July through August
Flower colors: White or pink

Summersweet is one of the rare flowering shrubs that will bloom in shady places, perfuming the air with a sweet-spicy fragrance attractive to butterflies and bees. The showy white flower spikes come in abundance for 4 to 6 weeks, set off by dark, glossy green leaves that turn attractive shades of yellow to golden brown in fall. Learn more about how to grow summersweet.

Pictured: Sugar Shack® buttonbush from Proven Winners.

PANICLE HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea paniculata)

Zones: 3-8
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 1-1/2 to 15 feet tall and 2 to 12 feet wide, depending on variety
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Flower colors: White, cream, lime green aging to pink or red

Panicle hydrangeas are the most cold-hardy hydrangeas, prized for their large, cone-shaped blooms that start white or green and deepen to pink or red as the season progresses. They’re easy to grow, adaptable to many soils, and bloom reliably on new wood-even after harsh winters. Learn more about how to grow panicle hydrangeas.

Pictured: Limelight Prime® panicle hydrangea from Proven Winners.

SMOOTH HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea arborescens)

Zones: 3-9
Exposure: Filtered sun to partial shade
Mature size: 1 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 6 feet wide
Bloom time: Early summer to fall
Flower colors: White, green, or pink

Smooth hydrangeas are beloved for their large, globe-like blooms and cold hardiness, making them ideal for northern gardens. This compact native shrub thrives with minimal care and produces flowers on new wood, ensuring reliable blooms even after harsh winters. Learn more about how to grow smooth hydrangeas.

Pictured: Incrediball® smooth hydrangea from Proven Winners.

DEUTZIA (Deutzia spp.)

Zones: 5-8
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 1 to 10 feet tall, 2 to 8 feet wide, depending on variety
Bloom time: Mid-spring to early summer
Flower colors: White or pink

Deutzia adds spring sparkle to the garden with clusters of small, bell-shaped blooms and finely textured foliage. This hardy, low-maintenance shrub thrives in full sun, resists deer, and is available in both compact and larger forms for borders, slopes, or mass plantings. Learn more about how to grow deutzia shrubs.

Pictured: Yuki Cherry Blossom® deutzia from Proven Winners.

SWEETSPIRE (Itea virginica)

Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun to full shade; best bloom and fall color in part sun
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late spring, with blooms lasting to early summer
Flower colors: White

This adaptable native shrub produces fragrant white flower spikes in late spring, followed by brilliant fall foliage that can persist into winter. Sweetspire thrives in wet or dry soils, sun or shade, and is deer resistant and pollinator friendly-perfect for tough spots or naturalistic plantings. Learn more about how to grow sweetspire shrubs.

Pictured: Little Henry® sweetspire from Proven Winners.

MOCK ORANGE (Philadelphus spp.)

Zones: 4-8
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 3 to 10 feet tall and wide, depending on variety
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer, with blooms lasting 4 to 6 weeks
Flower colors: White (single or double)

Mock orange is prized for its citrus-scented blooms that appear in late spring, filling the garden with fragrance. Modern cultivars offer compact forms, colorful foliage, and even reblooming. It's deer resistant, low maintenance, and a favorite of pollinators. Learn more about how to grow mock orange shrubs.

Pictured: Illuminati Tower® mock orange from Proven Winners.

SMOKEBUSH (Cotinus spp.)

Zones: 4-8
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; best bloom and foliage color in full sun
Mature size: 4 to 30 feet tall, 4 to 25 feet wide, depending on variety
Bloom time: Late spring through early fall
Flower colors: Cream, pink, mauve, or purple (smoke-like panicles)

Smoke bush delivers bold texture and dramatic color with large, airy flower panicles that resemble puffs of smoke. Attractive foliage-from deep purple to golden-adds season-long interest. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, it’s striking as a focal point or in mass plantings. Learn more about how to grow smokebush.

Pictured: Winecraft Gold® smokebush from Proven Winners.

ROSE OF SHARON (Hibiscus syriacus)

Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 8 to 12 feet tall, 6 to 10 feet wide, depnding on variety
Bloom time: Mid-summer through October
Flower colors: Shades of white, pink, red, blue, or apricot

Despite its name, this old-fashioned shrub is not a rose at all but a member of the hibiscus family, producing luscious flowers from late summer through mid-autumn when few other shrubs are in bloom. Some varieties can be invasive in certain areas. Learn more about how to grow rose of Sharon.

Pictured: Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon from Proven Winners.

ROSE MALLOW (Hibiscus moscheutos)

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun
Mature size: 3 to 8 feet tall, 2 to 5 feet wide
Bloom time: Midsummer to frost
Flower colors: White, pink, red, or bicolor with contrasting eyes

Rose mallow delivers tropical-style impact with massive, crepe-textured blooms that can reach dinner-plate size. Despite its exotic look, this cold-hardy native is tough, heat-tolerant, and reblooms reliably until fall. Perfect for borders, rain gardens, or making a bold statement in sunny spots. Learn more about how to grow rose mallow.

Pictured: Summerific® 'Berry Awesome' rose mallow from Proven Winners.

BLUEBEARD (Caryopteris spp.)

Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun
Mature size: 2 to 4 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late summer through early fall
Flower colors: Blue, violet-blue, or pink

Bluebeard is a compact, drought-tolerant shrub that lights up the late-season garden with clouds of true-blue flowers. The fragrant blooms attract pollinators, while the aromatic foliage adds texture from spring through fall. Easy to grow and deer resistant, it's ideal for borders, mass plantings, or containers. Learn more about how to grow bluebeard.

Pictured: Beyond Midnight® bluebeard from Proven Winners.

ABELIA (Abelia grandiflora)

Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late summer through early fall
Flower colors: White, pink

Abelia is the perfect choice for gardeners who want an easy-care, somewhat shade-tolerant plant that provides late-season fragrance. From summer through fall, it produces a profusion of rose-tinged white flowers on graceful, arching branches. The trumpet-shaped blooms have a jasmine-like scent that are a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds. Learn more about how to grow abelia shrubs.

Pictured: Funshine® abelia from Proven Winners.

SEVEN-SON FLOWER (Heptacodium miconioides)

Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Partial to full sun
Mature size: 10 to 20 feet tall, 8 to 10 feet wide
Bloom time: Late summer into fall
Flower colors: White; bracts turn rosy-red after bloom

This multi-season standout produces fragrant white blooms in late summer, followed by red bracts that extend its color well into fall. Glossy foliage and exfoliating bark offer year-round appeal. Grow as a large shrub or small tree for structure, pollinator value, and winter interest. Learn more about how to grow seven-son flower shrubs.

Pictured: Temple of Bloom® seven-son flower from Proven Winners.