- 10 Best Flowering Shrubs for Your Yard<\/a>
- 1. Best for Classic Beauty: Azalea<\/a>
- Rhododendrons<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 2. Best for Late-Blooming Flowers: Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon<\/a>
- Hibiscus syriacus<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 3. Best Low-Maintenance Shrub: Bridal Wreath Spirea\u00a0<\/a>
- Spiraea prunifolia<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 4. Best for Fragrant Gardens: California Sweetshrub<\/a>
- Calycanthus occidentalis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 5. Best for Small Gardens: Dwarf Fothergilla<\/a>
- Fothergilla gardenii<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 6. Best for Early Blooming Flowers: Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub<\/a>
- Pieris japonica<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 7. Best for Sensory Gardens: Mock Orange<\/a>
- Philadelphus coronarius<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 8. Best for Statement Displays: Oakleaf Hydrangea<\/a>
- Hydrangea quercifolia<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 9. Best for Winter Interest: Red-Barked Dogwood<\/a>
- Cornus alba<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 10. Best for Hummingbird Gardens: Weigela<\/a>
- Weigela florida<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- FAQ About Flowering Shrubs<\/a><\/li>
- When to Call a Professional<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
- <\/li> <\/ul>
10 Best Flowering Shrubs for Your Yard<\/h2>
Before you jump into a flowering shrub buying frenzy, check the USDA zone requirements, growth habits, sun tolerance, and other characteristics. This will help ensure a full-blooming, healthy shrub for many seasons to come. <\/p>
1. Best for Classic Beauty: Azalea<\/h3>
Rhododendrons<\/em><\/h4>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/azalea-shutterstock-1.jpg\")
Rhododendron
<\/em>Photo credit: Mileniumphoto<\/a> \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>Azaleas, a perfect flowering shrub for historic garden design<\/a>, add a sense of splendor to any landscape. Rhododendrons<\/em> are flowering shrubs that work best in areas with partial shade. There are many cultivars to choose from, including North American natives and hybrid, reblooming varieties. <\/p>
These classic spring beauties are great for borders, grouped plantings, and as a focal point in the yard. Healthy, well-established azaleas<\/a> in the right location do well with little interference. Azaleas attract bees, are not susceptible to rabbit damage, and are poisonous if any part of the plant is eaten.<\/p>
Flowers<\/strong>: Beautiful showy spring blooms<\/a> in white, pink, purple, and peach.<\/p>
Foliage<\/strong>: Choose from deciduous or evergreen flowering shrubs. In some azaleas, the glossy-green leaves turn color in the fall, so you get multi-season color. <\/p>
Growth habit: <\/strong>6-10 feet tall, 5-8 feet wide. Azaleas have an upright, loose habit. <\/p>
- Hardiness zone:<\/strong> 4-8<\/li>
- Colors<\/strong>: Flower colors in pink, lavender, red, white, peach, orange<\/li>
- Sun tolerance:<\/strong> Partial shade; the direct sun can burn leaves<\/li>
- Drought tolerance<\/strong>: High once established<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Rich and high in organic matter, slightly acidic, good drainage<\/li>
- Prune: <\/strong>Trim after the blooming season<\/a> in the spring.<\/li>
- Water: <\/strong>Water weekly to keep the soil moist but not too wet.<\/li>
- When to plant:<\/strong> Fall or early spring<\/li> <\/ul>
2. Best for Late-Blooming Flowers: Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon<\/h3>
Hibiscus syriacus<\/em><\/h4>
![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/blue-chiffon-rose-of-sharon-shutterstock-1.jpg\")
Hibiscus syriacus <\/em>
Photo credit: Nahhana<\/a> \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>Large, with a tropical look and abundant purple blooms, the Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon is an excellent flowering shrub for pollinator gardens and butterfly gardens. Expect 2- to 4-inch flowers with five crepe-textured petals in late summer through fall.<\/p>
Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon is relatively low-maintenance, doesn\u2019t need much pruning, and tolerates a range of soil types and pH levels. This flowering shrub has some resistance to salt and deer.<\/p>
Flowers<\/strong>: Late summer brings enormous, luxuriant blossoms in purples and deep chiffon blue.<\/p>
Foliage<\/strong>: Deciduous. In the late spring, the leaves are medium to dark green. In autumn, they turn yellow and fall off.<\/p>
Growth habit: <\/strong>8-10 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide. It grows erect with a spreading habit and is useful in hedges, groupings, and shrub borders.<\/p>
- Hardiness zone:<\/strong> 5-9<\/li>
- Colors<\/strong>: Purple\/lavender, chiffon blue<\/li>
- Sun tolerance:<\/strong> Full sun to part shade<\/li>
- Drought tolerance<\/strong>: High once established<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Variable, well-draining, moist<\/li>
- Prune: <\/strong>Late winter or early spring<\/li>
- Water:<\/strong> Prefers moderate moisture. Yellow leaves can indicate overwatering.<\/li>
- When to plant:<\/strong> Spring or fall
<\/li> <\/ul>3. Best Low-Maintenance Shrub: Bridal Wreath Spirea <\/h3>
Spiraea prunifolia<\/em><\/h4>
![\"Spiraea_prunifolia\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Spiraea_prunifolia_var._simpliciflora_2014\ub144_4\uc6d4_9\uc77c_13768093393-1.jpg\")
Spiraea prunifolia<\/em>
Photo Credit: \uc601\ucca0 \uc774<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Bridal wreath spirea is a woody, spring-blooming deciduous shrub, great for novice gardeners since it doesn\u2019t need much attention. Spiraea prunifolia<\/em><\/a> thrives in most soils, is drought tolerant, and requires little attention, once it\u2019s established. Spirea Bridal Wreath is a low-maintenance<\/a> must-have classic in any landscape. <\/p>
Bridal wreath spirea shrubs, with their beautiful, changing fall leaves and vibrant spring flowers, are great for borders, low hedges, and filler shrubs in the back of your perennial garden beds. Spiraea prunifolia <\/em>is a robust shrub that attracts bees and butterflies and is resistant to deer.<\/p>
Flowers<\/strong>: Early spring double white blossoms<\/a> cover bare branches<\/p>
Foliage<\/strong>: Deciduous. Delicately serrated leaves emerge in deep green, lime, gold, and blue hues, with some species putting on a spectacular fall show.<\/p>
Growth habit: <\/strong>4-8 feet tall, 4 to 8 feet wide with arching branches<\/p>
- Hardiness zone:<\/strong> 5-8<\/li>
- Colors<\/strong>: White<\/li>
- Sun tolerance:<\/strong> Full sun for the best flower show, tolerates partial shade<\/li>
- Drought tolerance<\/strong>: Low to moderate once established<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Well-drained and neutral to slightly acidic<\/li>
- Prune: <\/strong>Spring bloomers are clipped immediately after the flowers are gone.<\/li>
- Water: <\/strong>Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Water deeply but infrequently to develop healthy, strong roots.<\/li>
- When to plant:<\/strong> Spring or fall<\/li> <\/ul>
4. Best for Fragrant Gardens: California Sweetshrub<\/h3>
Calycanthus occidentalis<\/em><\/h4>
![\"California](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/J20160519-0048E28094Calycanthus_occidentalisE28094RPBG_27159616101.jpg\")
Calycanthus occidentalis <\/em>
Photo Credit: John Rusk<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>The California sweetshrub has fragrant-smelling flowers that bloom from May through July. Depending on the cultivar (or the nose), the aroma varies from spicy to sweet to fruity. California Sweetshrub is ideal for fragrant or butterfly gardens, hedges, walkways<\/a>, and in wooded areas.<\/p>
The remarkable flowers remain for weeks in early summer, blossoming for the majority of the season in temperate climates. California Sweetshrub is a deer-resistant native of the Sierra Nevadas, is relatively low-maintenance, and tolerates most soil types.<\/p>
Flowers<\/strong>: Big, distinctive red flowers with a spicy or sweet, fruity aroma<\/p>
Foliage<\/strong>: Deciduous. In the fall, leaves turn from deep green to a vibrant yellow before falling<\/p>
Growth habit: <\/strong>3-9 feet high, 6-12 feet wide, with a rounded form<\/p>
- Hardiness zone:<\/strong> 6-9<\/li>
- Colors<\/strong>: Burgundy, wine-red<\/li>
- Sun tolerance:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Drought tolerance<\/strong>: Low, prefers moist soils<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Slightly acidic, tolerates a wide variety of soil types, well-drained<\/li>
- Prune:<\/strong> In late summer after the flowering<\/a> season<\/li>
- Water: <\/strong>Prefers moderate moisture<\/li>
- When to plant:<\/strong> Fall or winter<\/li> <\/ul>
5. Best for Small Gardens: Dwarf Fothergilla<\/h3>
Fothergilla gardenii<\/em><\/h4>
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/5662591698_94b25f7d0f_b.jpg\")
Fothergilla gardenii <\/em>
Photo credit: peganum<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>This dwarf flowering shrub puts out a riot of white bottle-brush flowers in the spring and brilliant fall foliage, offering multi-season color and interest. Dwarf fothergilla<\/a> is compact and low-growing with spreading branches, making it perfect for small gardens.<\/p>
Dwarf fothergilla is native to the southeastern United States and is rarely affected by pests or disease. It deals well with challenging soil conditions like compressed and wet soil and is deer-resistant<\/a>. Pollinators and songbirds love dwarf fothergilla.<\/p>
Flowers:<\/strong> In spring, puts out white bottle-brush flowers. This flowering shrub works well for sensory gardens, as its flowers smell like honey and have an interesting texture.<\/p>
Foliage: <\/strong>Deciduous. In summer, leaves are a bluish-green tint, and in fall, turn yellow, red, and orange. <\/p>
Growth habit:<\/strong> 3-6 feet tall, 2-6 feet wide, making it suitable for small or urban gardens<\/a> and yards<\/p>
- Hardiness zone<\/strong>: 5-8<\/li>
- Color:<\/strong> White<\/li>
- Sun tolerance<\/strong>: Full sun to partial shade or dappled sunlight<\/li>
- Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Good tolerance once established<\/li>
- Soil type<\/strong>: Prefers good drainage and thrives in most soil types<\/li>
- Prune:<\/strong> If the shrub has dead, broken, or crossed branches, cut it once the leaves have fallen off in the wintertime.<\/li>
- Water<\/strong>: Weekly to maintain moist soil<\/li>
- When to plant: <\/strong>Early fall or early spring, depending on your hardiness zone<\/li> <\/ul>
6. Best for Early Blooming Flowers: Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub<\/h3>
Pieris japonica<\/em><\/h4>
![\"Pieris](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Pieris_japonica_9.jpg\")
Pieris japonica <\/em>
Photo credit: Stan Shebs<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>The cascading, bell-shaped flowers of this stunning early spring flowering shrub are reminiscent of the perennial lily of the valley flower. Native to eastern China and Japan, Pieris japonica<\/em> are deer resistant and ideal for rock gardens<\/a>, foundation plantings, and woodland boundaries.<\/p>
Sometimes called Japanese andromeda, andromeda, and Japanese pieris, Pieris<\/em> in Greek mythology is the name for one of the inspirational Muses. Pieris japonica<\/em><\/a> grows slowly, and the flowers and leaves are highly toxic to people and animals.<\/p>
Flowers<\/strong>: Flower buds form in the fall and winter and mature into lovely white urn-shaped clusters in early spring.<\/p>
- Color:<\/strong> White<\/li>
- Colors<\/strong>: Burgundy, wine-red<\/li>
- Colors<\/strong>: White<\/li>
- Colors<\/strong>: Purple\/lavender, chiffon blue<\/li>
- Colors<\/strong>: Flower colors in pink, lavender, red, white, peach, orange<\/li>
- Hardiness zone:<\/strong> 4-8<\/li>
- FAQ About Flowering Shrubs<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Best for Hummingbird Gardens: Weigela<\/a>
- 9. Best for Winter Interest: Red-Barked Dogwood<\/a>
- 8. Best for Statement Displays: Oakleaf Hydrangea<\/a>
- 7. Best for Sensory Gardens: Mock Orange<\/a>
- 6. Best for Early Blooming Flowers: Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub<\/a>
- 5. Best for Small Gardens: Dwarf Fothergilla<\/a>
- 4. Best for Fragrant Gardens: California Sweetshrub<\/a>
- 3. Best Low-Maintenance Shrub: Bridal Wreath Spirea\u00a0<\/a>
- 2. Best for Late-Blooming Flowers: Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon<\/a>
- Rhododendrons<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 1. Best for Classic Beauty: Azalea<\/a>