If you are looking to add some lasting flower power to your landscape this year – there is no better place to start than with the 5 must have flowering shrubs featured in today’s article!
Flowering shrubs and bushes can make a big difference in your yard’s curb appeal, adding beauty and color all throughout the year. While annual and perennial flowers are impact plants for sure, shrubs and bushes provide a long-lasting addition to your landscape – without the constant work and worry.
These plants are a budget-friendly option for filling gaps in your yard. Whether you need something for a small patio pot or a large area that grows up to 10 feet tall and wide, there’s a variety to fit every space!
Best of all, flowering shrubs require minimal upkeep once they’re established. They’re also more drought-resistant than most annuals or perennials, so after the initial watering phase, they need very little attention.
The good news is that your choices are not limited to just a few blooming shrubs. In fact, there are actually quite a few incredible varieties, starting with the 5 featured today!
5 Must Have Flowering Shrubs That Will Fill Your Landscape With Color
1. Lilac Bushes
If you’re looking for a fragrant shrub with show-stopping blooms, lilac bushes are a fantastic choice. Known for their stunning flowers and delightful scent, lilacs offer a wide range of blooming times depending on the variety you choose.
Some lilac varieties bloom as early as spring, while others showcase their flowers in summer or even fall. This makes it easy to enjoy their beauty all throughout the growing season.
Lilacs are also excellent for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, making them a great addition to a garden that supports local wildlife. Not just your flowerbed gardens, but your vegetable garden as well!
With sizes ranging from compact shrubs just a few feet across to towering bushes over 15 feet tall, there’s a lilac for almost any landscape need. Affiliate Plant Link: Lilac Plant Link : Purple Lilac Bush
Once established, lilacs are incredibly easy to care for. They thrive with minimal attention, requiring little watering thanks to their drought resistance. They also handle heat well and don’t need much, if any, fertilizing to stay healthy and vibrant.
2. Weigela – 5 Must Have Flowering Shrubs
Weigela (featured in the photo at the top of the article) is an excellent choice for adding vibrant color and texture to your garden with minimal effort. This flowering shrub has gained more and more popularity each year for its beauty and ease of care.
Depending on the variety, weigela leaves can range from rich purple or deep red tones to light green with white variegation. It’s a versatile plant, perfect for filling large, sunny spaces or adding bold foliage and flower colors to flowerbeds.
Most weigela varieties put on their best floral display in the spring, showcasing small, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink to red. Some varieties even offer a bonus bloom in mid-summer or fall, although it’s typically smaller than the spring show.
Larger types can reach a height and width of 5 to 6 feet, while dwarf varieties stay compact at around 1 to 2 feet in size. The smaller varieties are a great option for smaller spaces or containers. They’re easy to manage and can be pruned to maintain their shape.
Hardy in zones 4 through 9, depending on the type, weigela thrives in a wide range of climates. Affiliate Plant Link: Proven Winner Spilled Wine Weigela, 2 Gal, Bright Pink Flowers and Deep Purple Foliage
3. Hydrangeas – 5 Must Have Flowering Shrubs
Hydrangeas have become one of the most beloved additions to landscapes in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. These stunning shrubs are not only easy to grow but also thrive in a variety of soil types, making them a versatile choice for gardeners of all experience levels.
One of the standout features of hydrangeas is their spectacular blooms. From mid-summer through fall, the plants produce large, showy flower clusters that come in an incredible range of colors.
Depending on the variety and soil conditions, you can enjoy blooms in shades of pink, white, blue, lavender, and even rose. You can even change the color of most hydrangeas blooms by adding a few simple fertilizers! See our article: How To Change The Color Of Hydrangeas With Fertilizer!
Hydrangeas are also incredibly versatile when it comes to landscaping. They can be planted as a hedge, grouped together for a bold statement, or grown as a standalone centerpiece. For those with smaller spaces, dwarf varieties are an excellent choice and can even be grown in pots or containers for patios and balconies.
Hydrangeas are hardy in zones 6 through 10, allowing them to flourish in a wide range of climates. While they prefer slightly acidic soil to bring out their best colors, they can still thrive in average soil with minimal adjustments. Affiliate Plant Link: 1 Gal. Endless Summer Bloomstruck Hydrangea
4. Viburnum – 5 Must Have Flowering Shrubs
Viburnum is a versatile and hardy plant that thrives in a wide range of climates, with varieties suited for zones 2 through 9. This flowering, fragrant shrub is an excellent choice for enhancing any home landscape with big color.
With over a hundred varieties available, there’s a viburnum to fit almost any need. Whether you’re looking for a plant that thrives in shade, full sun, or something in between, you’ll find an option that works.
There are even varieties specifically suited for colder or warmer climates, making viburnum a truly adaptable choice. Most viburnum varieties bloom from late spring through early June, producing stunning clusters of pink or white flowers that are both visually appealing and fragrant.
Beyond their beautiful flowers, viburnums are known for their lush foliage. Their leaves create a dense, green canopy throughout the growing season before transitioning to vibrant fall colors in early autumn. Viburnum Plant Link : Snowball Viburnum
Many viburnum species also produce small fruits, which are not only pretty to view, but also provide an excellent food source for birds and wildlife, adding even more value to your garden.
5. Butterfly Bush – 5 Must Have Flowering Shrubs
If you enjoy attracting pollinators like butterflies, bees and birds, a butterfly bush is a perfect addition to your garden. True to its name, the butterfly bush draws in butterflies by the dozens, and in full bloom, it is a stunning sight to see!
The bush features light, airy foliage that gives way to vibrant blooms during the summer. The blooms can often last well into early fall, adding long-lasting beauty to your landscape. Depending on the variety, butterfly bushes can be ideal for flowerbeds, along fence lines, or as a striking standalone feature in your yard.
Butterfly bushes thrive in open, sunny areas. They love the heat and flourish in locations that receive at least 8 hours of full sunlight daily. Their ability to handle hot, sunny conditions makes them a fantastic choice for gardens in warmer climates.
In addition to being heat-loving, butterfly bushes are highly drought-tolerant. They require minimal watering once established and actually prefer drier conditions. However, they don’t do well in overly wet soil, as excessive moisture can cause root rot.
For best results, avoid planting them in areas prone to standing water. This hardy shrub is both beautiful and low-maintenance, making it an excellent choice for any sunny space. They can be considered invasive in some areas, so check with your local extension office before planting.
Here is to planting a few flowering shrubs in your landscape this year. And even more, to enjoying their color and interest for years to come!
Simple Garden Life
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