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Best shrubs for around house


21 Best Shrubs & Perennials For The Front Of House

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Foundation plants are the first thing people see when they come to your home. So it’s important to choose the ones that looks the best. In this post, I share a list of my favorite perennials and shrubs for landscaping around your house.

One of the best ways to increase curb appeal in front of your house is to use stunning foundation plants.

From evergreen bushes to flowering perennials, there are many landscaping ideas you can use to add visual interest to your home.

Don’t be overwhelmed by all the choices. This guide will show you the best foundation shrubs and perennials, so you’ll be able to pick out your favorites without any stress.

What Are Foundation Plants?

Foundation plants started as a way to hide the unsightly cement or blocks around the base of newly constructed homes.

Now people add them around their house to enhance the beauty, and break up the monotonous look of a treeless yard, or siding that reaches to the ground.

Landscapers use a mixture of bushes, flowers, and shrubs as a way to create artistic visual interest.

With the right shape, size and color, you can draw someone’s eye around your yard, up the walk, and to the front door. It’s like interior design, but outdoors.

Related Post: How To Design A Front Yard Foundation Planting

When you are looking for foundation plants, these are the attributes that are the most important:

Related Post: 17 Best Ground Cover Plants That Grow Well In The Shade

21 Foundation Plants & Shrubs For Front Of House

I split up the list into two sections to make it easier for you to find what you need. First, we will look at the best shrubs for the front of your house.

Then, you will discover the most popular flowers and perennials that you can use to dress up your home landscaping quickly.

Best Shrubs To Plant In Front Of The House

Shrubs and bushes are the most popular foundation plants for the front of the house. They’re easy to care for, make the best base for corners, and anchor your landscaping. Below are some good options.

1. Boxwood

One of the most common foundation shrubs is the boxwood because it’s easy to shape with some hedge trimmers.

These evergreen bushes can reach 6-8’, and do well in partial to full sun. Most people use them as the base or backdrop for their landscaping, and place other colorful specimens around them.

2. Roses

This classic bush comes in a bunch of different shapes and sizes.

You can find them in just about any hue from pink or red, to yellow, orange, and even shades of white, blue, or purple. Simply choose your favorite colors.

Roses also have a variety of heights. Find them in dwarf forms that only reach 1-3’, or larger shrubs and climbers that can get anywhere from 8-20’ tall.

3. Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are another fantastic way to add pops of color to the front of your house.

Their showy flowers bloom in the late summer or early fall. They come in varieties with either pink, green, blue, purple, or even white blossoms.

They do best in zones 4-9, and can reach heights of either 4-6’ or 6-8’, depending on the type you own. Learn how to grow hydrangeas here.

Hydrangeas are popular foundation shrubs

4. Japanese Maple

A much taller option is the Japanese maple, which you can find either as a bush or in a small tree form.

Some of the bush varieties reach 12-15’, and the trees can be 15-20’. So make sure you give them plenty of space, and don’t put them too close to your house.

They are breathtaking in the fall when the leaves change from green to a vibrant red. This deciduous tree or shrub does best in zones 6-9 with full sun.

5. Juniper

This common evergreen shrub is often used by the pros as the bones or an anchor in front yard landscape design.

The juniper is known for its unmistakable berries that grow in between the pines on some species.

It’s a conifer that prefers full sun, and can reach 4-6’. The ones that make the best foundation plants are those that stay closer to the ground, rather than the ones that look like tall trees.

6. Dogwood

In general there are two basic types of dogwoods, a tree and a shrub. While the trees look great, at 15-20’ they can be a bit too large to put right next to your house.

The bushes do best in full sun, and can reach 8-12’. Both are deciduous and thrive in zones 5-8.

Some will even bloom in mid-spring, with lovely pink or white flowers that are highly fragrant and attractive to pollinators.

Dogwood are good bushes for front of house

7. Elderberry

The elderberry is a pretty specimen that bears edible fruit. The sweet berries can be used to make jams and deserts, and the birds love feasting on them too.

Though it prefers full sun, it can do well in partial shade as well. This beautiful bush is hardy in zones 3-9, where it can reach 8-10’.

In the late spring and early summer it blooms with white flowers, which are a delightful contrast to the dark maroon foliage.

8. Dwarf Lilac

The dwarf lilac is a fantastic way to line your sidewalks or add color to the front of your house.

Reaching 4-6’ tall, this shrub is easy to trim into stunning round shapes, and small enough to make the perfect foundation plant.

It does best in zones 3-7. In late spring it will come alive with pink or fuchsia blooms that smell heavenly.

9. Weigela

If you’re looking for a bush that has good fall colors to brighten up your yard, try weigela. It does best in sun or partial shade in zones 5-9.

It reaches 36-48” tall, though dwarf varieties can be much smaller. The flowers bloom in late spring and early summer with pink, red, or white petals.

Unfortunately, they aren’t fragrant when they bloom. But the brilliant colors are stunning, and really stand out against the light green foliage.

Weigela flowering shrub next to the house

10. Mock Orange

Don’t let the name fool you. The mock orange has white flowers that look and smell like those on an orange tree, but it doesn’t produce any fruit.

Also known as English dogwood, this large bush towers at 8-10’, and prefers partial shade in zones 4-8.

The highly fragrant blooms appear in late spring and early summer. Place them near a window so you can enjoy the heavenly aroma inside your home when they’re in full bloom.

11. Azalea / Rhododendron

There are lots of types of azalea and rhododendron that you can choose from. All of them are dazzling.

Growing anywhere from 36-48” for the dwarf varieties, or as large as 10-12’ for larger ones, they prefer shade and acidic soil.

They are the epitome of spring in zones 3-8, blooming in late spring with showy flowers and bright colors.

From whites to pinks and shades of purple, to red, orange, and even yellow, they dress up a home’s front landscape.

12. Spirea

With tons of different varieties to choose from, spirea is a popular foundation shrub because it stays fairly small. Most will only reach 24-36” tall.

It’s also a favorite because it’s resistant to deer, and does well in a wide range of zones, from 4 to 9.

The foliage is pretty, and the pink or white blossoms appear in mid-spring.

Spirea shrubs in front of house

13. Japanese Yew

Another great anchor, the Japanese yew is a low-maintenance coniferous bush that looks captivating in the winter.

The shortest ones, which are 8-10’, make the best foundation shrubs. The taller ones can reach 15-20’, and are better to use farther away from your house.

This is a popular choice for evergreen privacy, and a nice addition to any front garden bed.

Best Foundation Perennials

When it comes to picking out foundation perennial plants, you have a ton to choose from.

The best ones will depend on the color, size, and shape of your home and the existing landscaping. Here are some of my favorites.

14. Lilies

Lilies add artistic beauty to the front of your home, and there are so many varieties that you can pick from.

The sizes range from 1-3’ for the shorter ones, all the way up to an impressive 8’ for the tallest. Though the hardiness varies depending on the species, you can find them for just about any zone.

Most will bloom in late spring or early summer and have stunning, often fragrant, flowers that come in an array of patterns and colors.

15. Hostas

With solid or multicolored leaves that look like they came straight out of a painting, hostas add visual interest to your landscaping.

They only reach 18-28” tall and wide, and do best in shady spots in zones 3-8.

The trumpet-shaped blossoms appear in late summer, and can be anywhere from pale or light purple to white.

Using hostas as foundation plants

16. Astilbe

Also called false goat’s beard, astilbe has bold red, white, or pink flowers that bloom in mid-spring and early summer.

The colors are electric, and really command attention. They are also fantastic for cutting and adding to your indoor bouquet.

This excellent foundation plant will reach 18-24” and, depending on the variety, can thrive in anywhere from partial shade to full sun in zones 4-9. Learn exactly how to grow astilbe here.

17. Iris

There are hundreds of species of this romantic flower that you can choose from. The most popular is the bearded iris.

Depending on the type you choose, they can reach anywhere from 24-36”. The spiky foliage makes a great backdrop, and the blossoms open in the spring.

They come in a variety of colors, from lavender or blue, to yellow, white, pink, salmon, and dark purple. Some smell wonderful too.

18. Coral Bells (Heuchera)

Also called coral bells, Heucheras add vibrance and texture, and are a classic addition to any landscape.

When the pink or white flowers bloom in early summer, they can reach 18”. But the foliage is the star of the show, and you can find them in just about any color of the rainbow.

They can thrive anywhere from shade to full sun in zones 4-9, and can tolerate drought conditions.

Coral bells add color around house foundation

19. Phlox

Very broadly, there are two popular kinds of phlox: tall and creeping. Both require full sun, and are hardy in zones 4-8.

Tall varieties do well in partial shade to full sun, and get to be 36-48”. They have fragrant white, pink, purple, or magenta blooms that appear around the middle of summer.

The creeping ones have a sprawling habit, and barely reach 6” tall. They bloom in early spring, and also come in various colors.

20. Yucca

The yucca is an effortless choice for beginners. These tough evergreen perennials are perfect for drier soils that are typical around a house foundation.

It’s rounded shape with lots of sharp-pointed leaves is easy to spot. Though most commonly used as a desert perennial in zones 9-11, there are cold-hardy varieties that can survive down to zone 3.

When it blooms in late spring, the tall flower spikes stick straight out of the center. They’re usually either pale yellow, pink, or a shade of white, and smell amazing.

The bloom spikes stay short on some types, only reaching 18-36″, while others can get up to 30′ tall. When not in bloom, the foliage is only 18-24”.

21. Peony

There are a bunch of varieties of peonies you can choose from, with a range of different sizes and colors.

The most common one for people to use as foundation perennials is the Chinese peony. It grows 24-36”, and thrives in full exposure.

The showy flowers are well known for their intoxicating fragrance, and bloom in late spring and early summer in zones 2-8. Learn how to care for peonies here.

Peonies planted at the corner of my house

With this list of the best foundation plants for the front of your house, you’re sure to find tons of options. Add some visual interest and beauty to your home with any of these stunning bushes, shrubs, and perennials.

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Share you favorite types of foundation plants in the comment section below.

Best shrubs for the front of the house |

Planting one of the best shrubs for the front of the house in your front yard will imbue the entrance to your home with character and personality, creating structure, a refuge for wildlife and a frame for your front porch. 

Introducing greenery and foliage to your front yard ideas will increase the curb appeal, while adding flowering shrubs will bring with them beauty and fragrance in equal measure. When planted in the right location, the right shrubs for the front of the house can also be used to provide privacy, block unsightly views and reduce noise pollution – so working them into your front yard landscaping ideas is a must.

‘When choosing a shrub for your front yard – pay more attention to your local hardiness zone than anything else. Your hardiness zone determines which shrubs will survive and thrive in your front yard,’ says Elle Meager, founder and CEO of Outdoor Happens .

Shrubs for the front of the house

There are species of shrubs for the front of the house to suit almost any type of home and garden. From towering specimens that are great for achieving your garden privacy ideas, to the prettiest floral varieties and the best low growing shrubs for the front of the house to incorporate into your small front garden ideas, adding one of these shrubs will help you to create a warm welcome to your home. 

The best shrubs for the front of the house are also great companions for the best trees for front yards, as together they will add height, color and texture to the front of your home. Landscaping with evergreens is also the most environmentally friendly option.

1. Best floral shrub for the front of the house

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Shrub roses make for stunning front yard cottage garden ideas. Unlike other types of roses, shrub roses have a bushy appearance making them a great addition to front yard flower bed ideas as well as to rose gardens. 

According to experts at David Austen : 'Shrub roses look best when planted in groups of three or more of the same variety. They will then grow together to form one dense shrub, which will provide a more continuous display and make a more definite statement in the border.'

If growing shrub roses, then it is important that you know how to prune roses. 'For bush and shrub roses prune down to half their height in spring and remove all dead wood,' advises Period Living garden expert Leigh Clapp. 'Don’t, however, prune English shrub roses too hard over the first couple of years, until they have established, to help the stems mature and support the blooms.'

2. Best low growing shrub for the front of the house

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If you only have a small front yard, then looking for low growing shrubs for the front of the house will be a better option. Despite only having a small footprint, lavender makes a big impression. Lavender are great low growing shrubs for the front of the house and has a signature fragrance that offers a warm welcome as you approach your front door.  

'Though it can only grow about one foot in height, its 2 inch wide blossoms are loved by butterflies and bees,' says gardening expert Lindsey Hyland of Urban Organic Yield . This makes them a great choice if you are trying to incorporate more wildlife garden ideas into your front yard.

A staple of front yard walkway ideas, 'lavender is a popular choice for foundation plantings and when established, they are drought tolerant plants, but they are best placed in full sun,' continues Lindsey. Planting drought tolerant shrubs in the front of the house will help to keep your front yard even during the driest summers.

3. Best shrub for the front of the house for a show-stopping display

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Part of the rhododendron family, azaleas are beautiful flowering shrubs that are favored for their long-lasting blooms. Popular plants for flower bed ideas, azaleas are great shrubs for the front of the house as their large size makes a bold impression. 'The azalea features long, leathery, egg-shaped leaves as well as showy white, magenta pink flowers with ruffled petals. This outstanding flower can become the focal point of every garden,' says Victoria Kuchinskaya, a plant physiologist for the NatureID app .

If deciding to grow azalea shrubs for the front of the house, it is also important that you know how to prune azaleas to enjoy the best from them.

4. Best evergreen shrubs for the front of the house

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Evergreen shrubs are one of the best shrubs for the front of the house as they offer year-round character and interest to your front garden ideas.

'Winter Gem Boxwood shrub is a common type of low-growing shrub that is perfect for growing at the front of your house,' says Shannon Bernadin, botanist and creator of The African Garden . 'It is a dense and bushy shrub that is evergreen and super easy to maintain. It will provide greenery to the front of your house all year round. '

Plus, boxwood shrubs are one of the best low growing shrubs for the front of the house.

5. Best winter interest shrubs for the front of the house

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Holly shrubs can be grown as either a small tree or a shrub and is a great addition to the front of the house. Characterized by dark green, sharp leaves, they are great evergreen trees for gardens and can also be grown into a hedge to provide garden privacy.

Holly comes into its own in the winter, with its bright red berries adding vibrancy to your garden during the bleakest winter months. As well as providing aesthetic interest, the berries are also great for feeding birds in winter.

'Another tremendous benefit of holly shrubs is that they come in many cultivars. Whether you live in North Carolina or frosty New England – you can find a holly shrub that will acclimate to your area,' says Elle Meager. 'However, one word of warning: holly shrub cultivars vary substantially in their size. Some maintain a height of only a few feet, while others skyrocket to over 30 feet.’

6. Best colorful shrub for the front of the house

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Hydrangeas are unusual in the fact that their color is defined by the soil pH. 'An acid soil ( pH below 7) will usually produce flower color closer to blue, whereas an alkaline soil (pH above 7) will produce pinker flowers,' explains Victoria Kuchinskaya. Hydrangeas can be grown either in the ground or in a pot, making them a great choice for small front garden ideas.

Most hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs, however there are some evergreen varieties that can make for great shrubs for the front of the house. 'Hydrangeas are a versatile choice with an array of options on offer to match your color scheme and work beautifully in more formal front gardens. They prefer sun in the morning with some shade in the afternoon,' says garden expert Leigh Clapp.

7. Best floral shrub for the front of the house

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Part of the verbena family, Lantana camara is a fast-growing shrub that is native to Central and South America. Characterized by its colorful flowers in carnival shades, its pretty blooms catch the eye and produce a sweet tutti frutti scent. Typically growing around 2m tall, it creates a bold statement that will make it a welcome addition to the front of the house. 

Furthermore, they're a great addition to other wildlife garden ideas. 'All butterflies and bees go mad for this, and it's incredibly easy to grow in a pot or border,' says plantswoman Sarah Raven .

8. Best flowering winter shrub for the front of the house

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Camellias have seen a rise in popularity in recent years, quickly becoming favorite shrubs for the front of the house. Loved for their flamboyant flowers, they are one of the first flowers, offering a cheery display through the darker months of the year. 

'Camellias have been hybridized to create more durable flowers and longer bloom times and the pink 'Winter's Star' is lovely in late fall and early winter. Camellia 'Winter's Snowman" blooms earlier in white, usually in October or November where we are in Washington,' says Robert Bell, principal at Bell Design .

As such, camellias are one of the best winter plants for pots and borders, and would make a stunning container display on the front porch. If growing these beautiful shrubs, it is vital to know how to prune camellias to get the best out of these pretty plants.

9. The best wildife shrubs for the front of the house bush (Buddleja davidii)

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If you are looking for shrubs for the front of the house that will help you to incorporate wildlife garden ideas into your plot, then buddleja is a must.

'Perfect for adding to front yard cottage garden ideas, buddleja can be grown as an ornamental plant pretty much anywhere,' says Victoria Kuchinskaya. 'Furthermore, it is fast-growing and not in the least fastidious. Unfortunately, however, Buddleja davidii is considered to be an invasive species in some U.S. regions so be careful before you add it into your garden.'

10. Best shrub for the front of the house for privacy

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You can't help but fall in love with the cheery yellow color of forsythia's flowers. They are characterful shrubs for the front of the house that will brighten even the greyest spring day. 

'They offer speedy growth, beautiful blossoms in the spring. Because they grow so fast and offer thick foliage, they make unrivaled screeners – especially if you want a privacy hedge in front of your home quickly,' says Elle Meager. In fact forsythia are one of the best fast-growing hedges for both privacy and interest.

'You'll need to prune your forsythia regularly because they grow seemingly overnight! Expect them to grow well over 12 inches per year. Some may reach a height of up to 10 feet – and some even slightly taller. However, there are smaller cultivars that are great for incorporating into your small front garden ideas,' continues Elle.

Which small shrubs for the front of the house look good year-round?

Evergreen small shrubs look good all year round. Since they don't lose their leaves they continually add life to the front of your house. Holly, camellias and boxwoods are all good options that bring year round interest to the front of your house.

What shrubs look good in front of the house?

Lavender, shrub roses, forsythia and hydrangeas are all shrubs that look good in front of the house. 'I always recommend a variety of shrubs, plants, and flowers for the front of your home – especially if you intend on building a privacy screen or supporting wildlife,' says Elle Meager.

Beautiful flowering ornamental shrubs for the garden. Description with names and photos.

Ornamental shrubs in the garden have several functions. They make any composition more voluminous and interesting for perception. During the flowering period, they create a large color spot that can be seen from afar, the rest of the time they are the background for other flowering plants. Shrubs wake up much faster than perennial flowers, thanks to them the flower garden does not look “naked” in spring. In autumn, their leaves fill the garden with bright colors, when all the flowers have already wilted.

Growing perennial ornamental shrubs is not difficult. The best time for planting seedlings is spring: April - early May, when the plants have not yet come out of dormancy. Seedlings with a closed root system can be planted throughout the season.

Lilac

Minimal care for ornamental shrubs: several top dressings per season with complex mineral fertilizer "Healthy Turbo for flower beds and flower beds" , rare watering in especially hot summers. Many crops do not give the gardener any trouble, but it is better to have some kind of systemic fungicide on hand, like "Skor" or "Diskor" , to treat plants at the first sign of powdery mildew or any leaf spot.

There are many types of perennial ornamental shrubs for the garden. It is impossible to cover all the diversity in one article, so we will focus on flowering shrubs. We will focus on frost-resistant plants that winter in the middle lane without shelter or are content with mulching the root zone.

Rose

In almost every dacha you can see such frost-resistant ornamental shrubs as lilac and mock orange, or garden jasmine. Despite the fact that these tall shrubs have been grown for centuries, they have not lost their relevance. They are unpretentious, grow both in the sun and in partial shade (the mock orange feels even better in diffused light).

Mock orange (garden jasmine)

Many magnificent varieties of lilacs have been bred with inflorescences of all shades of lilac, which differ in flowering time. A bouquet of lilacs on the table is a real country classic, which is impossible to refuse. During the flowering period of the mock orange, the garden is filled with a breathtaking aroma. Varieties of mock orange always bloom with snow-white flowers, varieties with double flowers are interesting.

There is no need to talk about the beauty of roses and hydrangeas. These are the two queens of the garden, who divided the zones of influence: the rose reigns in the sun, the hydrangea in the shade. Despite their nobility, these crops can be classified as frost-resistant ornamental shrubs for the garden. Species roses, such as rugosa rose, or wrinkled rose, as well as park roses derived from them, are unpretentious, bloom all summer, hibernate without shelter.

Hydrangea

Hydrangea tree and paniculate hydrangea winter well in the middle lane and decorate the garden with lush inflorescences from mid-summer to autumn.

Let's take a closer look at lesser-known cultures. We present you the 10 best ornamental shrubs for the garden with photos and names of popular varieties.

1. Forsythia

Forsythia opens the flowering season in April. While other plants are still dormant, the forsythia turns into a golden ball. Bright yellow flowers open before the leaves appear. Small "bells" completely cover thin flexible shoots. The contrast of sunny yellow colors against the blue spring sky looks just amazing.

Flowering of forsythia is short, within 2-3 weeks, but its early period is especially valuable. The rest of the year, forsythia looks neutral. The shrub grows up to 2-3 m in height and up to 1.5-2 m in diameter. Forsythia grows rapidly, annually adds 30 cm.

The shape of the crown is spreading, thin shoots grow vertically. The leaves are small, oval in shape. With the advent of cold weather, the leaves of forsythia drooping and forsythia ovate turn purple, the leaves of forsythia intermediate remain green until frost.

Forsythia is planted in a sunny place, the culture is undemanding to soil fertility and watering. Forsythia blooms on last year's shoots, so you need to choose species that winter well in the middle lane.

The most frost-resistant types of forsythia: F. drooping (hanging), F. intermediate (middle), F. ovoid (oval). Popular varieties of frost-resistant forsythia: tall "Beatrix Farrand", "Golden Time", "Spring Glory", "Goldsauber", "Lindwood Gold" , undersized "Mini Gold", "Spectabilis", "Tetra Gold" .

2. Holly mahonia

In the middle - the end of May the holly mahonia blossoms. This is an evergreen shrub that winters well in the middle lane without shelter, of course, subject to high snow cover.

Mahonia holly

Magonia holly is sometimes called the "lily of the valley shrub" because of the similarity in the shape of the inflorescences. Lemon-yellow mahonia flowers are collected in large brushes, they exude a pleasant delicate aroma. After the end of flowering, berries are tied, which ripen by the end of summer. They are quite large, up to 1 cm in diameter, dark blue with a bluish bloom, sweet and sour. Berries are eaten fresh, they are used to make jams and jams.

Magonia holly rarely grows above 1-1.2 m. The plant has a slow growth rate, the annual growth is not more than 10 cm. The bush has a compact crown. Beautiful leathery leaves are shaped like a holly leaf, or holly, they also have pointed teeth.

During the summer, the leaves of mahonia are a rich dark green color, in autumn they change color to red-bronze, in winter they turn purple-violet. Variety « Atropurpurea » purple-purple leaves throughout the season.

Magonia holly grows well both in the sun and in the shade. Plants are often used to form a low hedge, which can be used to delimit zones in a garden plot.

Popular varieties of holly mahonia: undersized "Apollo" and "Compact", "Atropurpurea" with purple leaves and "Orange Flame" with pink-orange leaves. There are tall fruit varieties that produce up to 1.5 kg of berries: "Natakha", "Timoshka", "Mermaid", "Sweetie" .

3. Rhododendron

Rhododendrons are not so common in the gardens of the middle lane, and all because they are considered capricious heat-loving crops. Meanwhile, among the huge variety of rhododendrons, there are very unpretentious and frost-resistant species, both evergreen and deciduous.

For example, hybrids of the evergreen Katevbinsky rhododendron winter well in the middle lane, shelter is needed sooner in order to protect their leaves from burns. But if there is no desire to bother with shelter, you can plant deciduous species - Japanese azalea, it tolerates frosts down to -32-34 ° C.

Rhododendron is incredibly beautiful. It is a tall shrub with a spreading crown. Rhododendrons reach a height of 1.5-1.8 m, although dwarf varieties of Japanese azalea can also be found, such as variety "Grandmother" up to 50 cm high.

Rhododendrons grow quite quickly, adding 12-20 cm annually.

Evergreen rhododendrons bloom in late spring, deciduous species - in early summer. Flowering is lush, bell-shaped-funnel-shaped flowers are collected in large inflorescences that densely cover shrubs. Most rhododendrons emit a delicious fragrance. Flowering continues for 3 weeks.

Rhododendron Nova Zembla

Varieties of rhododendrons are distinguished by an incredible variety of colors. Deciduous: 'Golden Lights' blooms golden yellow, 'Rosie Lights' pink, 'White Lights' white. Evergreens: "English Roseum" blooms pale pink, "Nova Zembla" - hot pink, "Karens " - purple flowers.

Rhododendrons do not tolerate bright sunlight, they are partial shade plants. They are well planted in the shade of buildings, ideally under the protection of tall conifers. Rhododendrons prefer acidic soil, falling needles will further acidify it.

4. Henomeles

Chaenomeles, or Japanese quince, blooms in the second half of May, flowering lasts for 20-25 days. The bright coral-red flowers of chaenomeles are similar to apple flowers, but they are much larger, up to 4 cm in diameter. They densely cover bare branches, flowers bloom before the leaves appear. During the flowering period, chaenomeles looks amazing.

The shrub has a beautiful branched crown, in the middle lane by the age of 10 it grows up to 1.5 m, in the southern regions the plants reach 3-4 m in height. The branches of chaenomeles are covered with small thorns, the leaves are small, dense, saturated green.

In September, small fruits ripen, they resemble apples and quince in shape, have a very dense structure, and a sour astringent taste. They are not eaten fresh, they are used for making jam, jelly, and fruit tea.

Chaenomeles has high frost resistance, plants hibernate without shelter. Chaenomeles are planted in open, sunny places, protected from drafts and the north wind.

Varieties of decorative chaenomeles differ in the color of flowers. Fire Dance, Ellie Mossel, Crimson & Gold bloom bright red, Lady Pink pink, Apple Blossom and Nivalis white.

5. Spirea

Among unpretentious ornamental shrubs, spireas occupy a special place. They are often used in urban landscaping, as endure gas pollution and other adverse conditions. In city parks, gray spirea is most often found, it is also called ashen spirea, or silver. This is a fast growing shrub, when planted in the sun, the annual growth is 30 cm, in the shade the shrub grows more slowly and blooms worse.

In ornamental gardening, two types of spirea are popular: gray spirea and Japanese spirea. They differ in appearance, and in the timing of flowering, as well as in the color of the flowers.

Spirea gray blooms in April and blooms until the end of May. At this time, it is impossible to take your eyes off the spirea. Fountain-shaped bushes with long shoots that lean to the ground, completely covered with small white flowers. Small leaves are almost invisible from under the flowers. The people call spirea "bride" or "May foam". Flowers exude an unobtrusive pleasant aroma.

Spiraea Van Gutta Gold Fontaine

After the end of flowering, spirea remains attractive due to the gray-green color of small leaves and the beautiful shape of the bush. Spirea leaves turn golden yellow in autumn. The most popular varieties of gray spirea: Grefsheim, Graciosa, Arguta . Plants require a lot of space, the height and diameter of the bush is up to 1. 5 m.

Japanese spirea is much more modest in size, these are small spherical bushes 30-50 cm high, it is planted in the foreground in mixborders. Japanese spirea blooms in June, flowering continues until September. Small corymbose inflorescences open at the ends of young shoots, spring pruning can set the spherical shape of the bush, then it will be covered with pink flower caps.

In the spring, long before flowering, the Japanese spirea looks decorative due to the unusual golden color of the leaves, the young shoots are orange-red. In the summer, during the flowering period, the leaves of the spirea turn green, in order to change color to yellow again by autumn.

Popular varieties of Japanese spirea: "Little Princesses", "Golden Princesses", "Shirobana" , etc.

6. Weigela

Weigela is more likely to be found in southern cities than in the middle lane, however, this beautifully flowering shrub has already won the hearts of many gardeners. There are varieties of weigela that tolerate frosts down to -26-28 ° C. The main thing is to plant the weigela in the sun, in a place protected from the wind.

Weigela hybrid Bristol Ruby

Weigela blooms twice a year. The first flowering is the most spectacular: from mid-May to mid-June, at this time there are so many flowers that leaves are not visible behind them. The second wave of flowering is more modest, in August - September.

Weigela flowers are tubular-bell-shaped, all shades of pink. At the same time, many flowers are open on the plant and you can admire the variety of their colors. In the southern regions, weigela grows up to 3 m in height, in the middle lane its size does not exceed 1.5 m. The shrub forms a dense spreading crown with hanging shoots. Weigela can be formed on a stem by braiding its young shoots “in a pigtail”.

Weigela is characterized by rapid growth, the annual growth is up to 30 cm. In the early years, the plant needs shelter.

Frost-resistant varieties of weigela: "Candida", "Rozea", "Bristol Ruby" . Interesting varieties with variegated, variegated leaf color, such as "Brigella", "Nana variegata" .

7. Potentilla

Potentilla shrub, or Kuril tea is an unpretentious frost-resistant shrub. Potentilla flowers are simple cinquefoils, small in size, 3-5 cm in diameter. Potentilla blooms tirelessly, from the beginning of summer until the very frost. All summer the plant is covered with many bright flowers. Potentilla prefers sunny places and well-drained soils.

Potentilla shrub Glamor Girl

Species cinquefoils bloom bright yellow flowers. Thanks to the work of breeders, varieties with white, pink, red-orange flowers appeared. Known varieties of Potentilla shrub: "Gold Star" with yellow flowers, "Tangerine" - with orange, "Abbotswood" - with white, "Princess" - with pink, "Primrose Beauty" - with cream colored flowers.

Potentilla shrub Kobold

Potentilla branches well and itself forms a wide rounded crown, adult bushes grow up to 1.2-1.5 m. In the sun, the shrub quickly grows in growth, up to 20 cm per year. The plant lends itself well to shearing. Potentilla leaves are small, strongly dissected. Young leaves are dried and used to brew herbal tea, they are rich in vitamin C.

8. Califolia vesicle

The popularity of the vesicle is growing every year. This plant has a lot of advantages: large carved leaves, shaped like a viburnum leaf, beautiful spherical inflorescences and no less attractive bubble boxes with seeds.

The flowering of the vesicle occurs at the end of May - the beginning of June. By the end of June, unusual seed pods are formed, which gradually change color to bright red, the pods remain closed until autumn and decorate the bush.

The red-leaved varieties of the vesicle are especially decorative. Against the background of chocolate foliage, white and pink inflorescences stand out in contrast. The color of the leaves of different varieties varies: orange-red in variety "Andre" , bright red in "Lady in Red", "Little Angel" , wine - at "Summer Vine", "Shuh" , rich maroon - at "Midnight", "Diabolo" . There are also yellow-leaved vesicle varieties, such as "Aurea" or "Enis Gold" . Against their background, the inflorescences are a little lost, but the red fruit boxes are clearly visible.

Vesicle viburnum Diabolo D'Oro

The vesicle should be planted in the sun, in the shade the plants will not show the decorative color of the leaves. The vesicle is a fast-growing shrub that reaches a height of 2-3 m, with an annual growth of up to 40 cm. The vesicle wakes up very early, by the end of April leaves open on the branches.

Plants are unpretentious, not affected by diseases and pests. Sometimes they suffer from iron deficiency, which manifests itself in leaf chlorosis. It is good to feed the vesicle with iron chelate according to the leaf or a special fertilizer based on nitrogen and iron "Sequestren Turbo" .

9. Tannery

Skumpia leather, or common, is more of a plant for southern latitudes, where it grows into huge shrubs or trees 5-7 m high. However, residents of the middle zone can also admire this unusual plant in their garden if they pick up frost-resistant varieties. The plant prefers sunny places and slightly alkaline soils.

During the season, the leaves change color several times. Particularly decorative are red-leaved varieties of skumpia, such as "Royal Purple", "Grace" , but varieties with green leaves, such as "Young Lady" winter better and grow faster. Under the conditions of the middle lane, skumpia does not grow above 1.5 m. The upper part of the shoots freezes.

Skumpia is called the "wig tree" for the unusual airy caps of inflorescences. In fact, these are not flowers, but the fruits of skumpii.

Flowering looks rather inconspicuous, goes unnoticed. After the end of flowering, the pedicels elongate, and thin long hairs grow on them, they can be white, pink or red, depending on the variety. It looks like a large paniculate inflorescence, woven from something airy, weightless.

Skumpia grows very slowly, only by the age of 10 it reaches a height of 1.5 m. In the spring, the plant wakes up the very last, at the end of May. So do not rush to get upset if your skumpia does not release leaves for a long time after winter, it is just waiting for warmth.

10. Kalina

Viburnum vulgaris is rarely grown in gardens in summer cottages, this shrub takes up too much space. The height of viburnum reaches 3-4 m, and the plant is at least 2-3 m in diameter. You can always go to the nearest forest for berries, viburnum grows everywhere, there is a lot of it along rivers and streams, this plant is demanding on moisture.

Flowering viburnum ordinary is very beautiful - large, corymbose inflorescences consist of fertile flowers, which are surrounded by snow-white sterile flowers. But even more beautiful is the flowering of the decorative viburnum buldenezh, which in French means “snowball” or “snowball”.

In late May - early June, the shrub is covered with many large spherical inflorescences, up to 15 cm in diameter. Branches bend under the weight of flowers, the older the bush, the more flowers it forms. Flowering viburnum buldenezh long, for 25-30 days. Inflorescences are collected from sterile flowers, berries are not tied.

In terms of the size of the inflorescences and their number, the viburnum buldenezh is not inferior to the blooming hydrangea. Inflorescences gradually change color from white-green to dazzling white. Variety "Roseum" flowers turn pink.

Kalina grows well in the sun, it is even better in partial shade, it is demanding on watering, loves fertile soil. Plants develop rapidly, adding 40 cm annually. In one place, viburnum can live up to 60 years.

viburnum

The weak point of viburnum is that it is strongly affected by aphids and larvae of the viburnum leaf beetle, it is necessary to monitor the appearance of these pests and treat the plants with a systemic insecticide in time, for example, preparations Kortlis , Insector , Drakor .

Top 10 ornamental shrubs for summer cottages

1 Boxwood

Boxwood is a slow growing shrub with very dense shoots. It is she who is his main advantage, as it allows the formation of various figures from the plant. From boxwood, you can cut balls or more complex shapes, make a hedge - in general, a godsend for landscape design.

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Another advantage of boxwood is that it is an evergreen plant, that is, it will decorate the site all year round.

2 Lilac

One of the most popular plants in Russian dachas. Common lilac is especially common. Lilacs bloom in May, usually with light purple or white flowers.

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The shrub is easy to care for and frost-resistant. It is better to plant a plant in the period from July to September.

3 Hydrangea

Luxurious hydrangea flowers will decorate any cottage. Large-leaved hydrangea is especially popular, it looks good both at the club, and planted along the paths, and just next to the house, as a decoration of the facade.

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The height of most hydrangea varieties is 1-3 m. The shrub blooms from spring to late autumn with white, blue, blue, lilac and pink flowers - it all depends on the variety (and even on the soil in which the plant is planted!).

Hydrangea is thermophilic, it is better to plant it on the sunny side. It does not need daily watering - in hot weather it is enough to water it twice a week. But the shrub will not survive severe frosts either: in the fall, when the hydrangea fades, you need to cut off the dry inflorescences and cover it for the winter.

4 Gray spirea

Gray spirea is loved by landscape designers because it can be an excellent “material” for creating hedges, but among summer residents it is popular due to its unpretentiousness. Gray spirea grows on any soil, is frost-resistant, does not require frequent watering (it is enough to water the shrub twice a month).

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Gray spirea blooms with small white flowers in May and June.

5 Forsythia

If you want your garden to be transformed already in early spring, plant forsythia - it just blooms at this time and blooms for three weeks. The shrub has recognizable bright yellow flowers.

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Forsythia is unpretentious in care, although it may not withstand severe frosts. Loves the sun, but can grow in the shade. It is better to plant a plant in early spring or autumn, before the onset of frost.

6 Kalina

Kalina attracts many people because it first blooms in summer with beautiful white or pink flowers, and in autumn pleases the eye with bright red or even black berries.

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You can plant viburnum in spring or autumn, it is best to grow and bloom in well-lit places on neutral or slightly acidic soil.

7 Rosehip

Another shrub famous for its beautiful flowers, which are replaced by equally beautiful berries. In Russian areas, pink or white rose hips are most often found. The plant blooms in May and June.

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Rosehip is frost-resistant and rather undemanding. From its bushes you can also form a hedge.

8 Hawthorn

Hawthorn is a tall shrub that can reach a height of up to 8 meters. Hawthorn blooms with white, crimson or reddish flowers in late spring and early summer, and then produces edible fruits.

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Hawthorn is resistant to frost, unpretentious, although it requires pruning. It is also suitable for making hedges.

9 Honeysuckle

Ornamental honeysuckle can grow as a shrub or creeper and reach a height of up to 6 meters. Honeysuckle blooms in late spring, the shades of inflorescences are very different: depending on the variety, honeysuckle can be white, pink, and yellow.

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In general, decorative honeysuckle is unpretentious, although the lianoid will have to be looked after a little more carefully (it will be demanding on soil and watering).

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