One of the best ways to add lasting curb appeal and stunning color to your property is by planting perennial flowering shrubs – especially when you plant varieties that have some serious flower power!
Not only can flowering shrubs be enjoyed when in full bloom, they can also add year-round appeal and interest to your home. And, once they are fully established, most take little if any maintenance other than routine shaping and a little bit of fertilizer now and then.
Flowering shrubs come in all sorts of different sizes and shapes. From small patio containers to those commanding a massive 10-foot-tall space, it’s easy to find the right variety to fill up any sized area – and all without having to break the bank to do it!
Most flowering shrubs, like lilacs or viburnums, bloom during the spring and summer months. However, you can also find many options such as hydrangeas that bloom into late summer and fall. And depending on your location and climate, there are even some that put out stunning displays during the winter months too!
To help find the right varieties for your landscape, today’s article features 6 of the “best of the best” when it comes to flowering shrubs. All of the shrubs below have huge flower power – as well as foliage and branch structure that can keep your yard looking interesting no matter the time of year!
The 6 Best Flowering Shrub Varieties To Plant In Your Landscape
#1) Viburnum
With varieties that can handle hardiness ranges from zones 2 through 9, viburnum (pictured at the top of the article) is perfect for a wide range of climates and locations. And with well over a hundred types to choose from, there is a hardy flowering, fragrant viburnum to fit almost any situation.
Some viburnum varieties are perfect for handling full sun. Others, meanwhile, thrive in shadier locations. Adding to their versatility, there are viburnum that grow in warmer southern climates, colder northern climates – and everything in between!
One thing is certain, all of the varieties produce beautiful blooms. Most types of viburnum bloom from late spring to early June, showcasing shades of pink and white in clusters that are both gorgeous and fragrant.
The leaf canopy of the bush is simply stunning as well. It provides a wide array of greenery before turning in the early autumn to a full showcase of fall color. Most viburnum species will fruit as well, providing an excellent source of food for birds and other wildlife. Affiliate Link: Snowball Viburnum Plant
#2) Hydrangea – 6 Beautiful Flowering Shrub Varieties To Plant
Hydrangea bushes have become extremely popular in the landscape over the past few years and for good reason! For starters, they are easy to grow and work well in most soil types. Even better, they can produce gorgeous blooms from mid-summer through fall that are simply spectacular!
Anyone who has ever witnessed a hydrangea in full bloom knows how beautiful it can be. Their huge flower heads can range in a wide array of vibrant colors. From pinks to whites to all shades of blue, lavender, and rose – their blooms are a conversation piece all by themselves.
Hydrangeas work well when grown as a hedge, in a mass planting, or simply as an accent all by themselves. Some dwarf varieties can even be planted in pots and containers. One thing is for sure, the plant is highly versatile.
With hydrangea varieties hardy from zones 6 through 10, they can grow in a wide range of climates. Although they do prefer slightly acidic soil, they will grow in average soil with just the slightest of amendments. Affiliate Link: Proven Winners – Hydrangea Pan. Fire Light
#3) Butterfly Bush – 6 Beautiful Flowering Shrub Varieties To Plant
If you love to attract pollinators like butterflies, bees, and birds, a butterfly bush is a must! Just as its namesake implies, the bush attracts butterflies in droves. When in full bloom, it is simply beautiful to behold.
Light, wispy foliage gives way to a full bloom set in the summer that can last all the way into early fall. Depending on the variety chosen, the shrub can be a perfect choice for flowerbeds, fence lines, or as a stand-alone focal point.
The flowering shrub is excellent for open spaces that receive harsh, bright sunlight. Butterfly bushes can handle both heat and the hot sun, actually preferring to grow in areas that receive at least 8 hours of full sunlight each day.
Butterfly bushes are not only heat tolerant but extremely drought tolerant as well. In fact, if there is one thing butterfly bushes don’t like, it’s too much water. The hardy shrub should not be planted in areas of extreme wetness, as its roots will rot out when too much moisture is present. Affiliate Link: Proven Winters – 1 Gal. Miss Molly Butterfly Bush
#4) Weigela – 6 Beautiful Flowering Shrub Varieties To Plant
Weigela is a great choice for those looking to add a low-maintenance pop of color and texture to their landscape. They are extremely easy to care for once established, requiring only basic watering for the first few months after planting.
Depending on the variety chosen, leaf colors can range from a deep purple or dark red wine color to a lighter variegated green and white. The shrub is an excellent choice to fill a large, open sunny space – or for tucking into flowerbeds to add intense foliage and bloom color.
Most varieties bloom best in the spring, with gorgeous tiny pinkish to red trumpet flowers. Some will bloom again in mid-summer to late fall with a second smaller flowering.
Larger varieties can grow to a mature height of 5 to 6′ in both height and width. There are also dwarf varieties that can be kept in the 1 to 2′ range. All can be pruned back easily to keep them under control. Hardy from zones 4 through 9 depending on variety, they grow well in a wide range of climates. Affiliate Link: Brighter Blooms – Wine & Roses Weigela
#5) Lilac – 6 Beautiful Flowering Shrub Varieties To Plant
When it comes to a fragrant shrub with big flower power, it’s hard to beat a lilac bush. And that blooming power can come at nearly any point of the season depending on the variety you grow.
There are lilac bushes that bloom in early spring, mid-spring, summer, and even fall. Another excellent pollinator plant, lilacs attract bees, butterflies and more to your landscape. And with species that grow from just a few feet in diameter to 15 feet or more, there is one to fit almost any space. Affiliate Link: DAS Farms Miss Kim Lilac Bush
Lilacs are fairly low-maintenance once established in the landscape. They are both drought-resistant and heat tolerant. Even better, they require little to no fertilizing. See our article: Fall Lilac Care – 2 Things To Never Do To Lilac Bushes In The Fall!
#6) Azaleas – 6 Beautiful Flowering Shrub Varieties To Plant
With sizes that range from only a foot tall all the way up to a towering 20 feet in height, azaleas are a great choice for for adding huge spring color and interest. Although you often see azaleas in more southern climates, there are some really great varieties that thrive in northern locations as well.
Azaleas are broken down into two main types: evergreen and deciduous varieties (those that lose their foliage during the winter). Evergreen varieties bloom best in partial or filtered sunlight while deciduous varieties do best in full sun.
Most azaleas start producing long-lasting blooms during the spring and early summer. Their fragrant blooms range in color from pink, red and orange, to various shades of yellow and white. Affiliate Link: 1 Gallon, Azalea Encore Autumn Sangria
No matter which type of flowering shrub you add to your property, any or all of the 6 featured today are a great way to add lasting color and pizazz to your home for years to come!
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This Is My Garden is a garden website created by gardeners, for gardeners. Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books and speaking for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. They publish three articles every week, 52 weeks a year. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along!