Grown a multitude of shrubs in America and Europe - These five flowering beauties are my unwavering must-haves
Gardener's Favourite Shrubs: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Shrub for Your Garden
In the world of gardening, a well-chosen shrub can be a garden's crown jewel. Teo Spengler, a gardener and garden writer with three decades of experience, has planted over 200 different types of landscaping shrubs in various locations, including San Francisco and the French Basque Country. Here's a guide to some of her favourite shrubs and how to choose the perfect one for your garden.
Mophead Hydrangea is one of Spengler's favourites and thrives equally well in her gardens in France and California. This beautiful shrub can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide, thriving in USDA zones 5 through 10. Mophead Hydrangea is known for its large, showy flowers that bloom in various colours, making it a stunning addition to any garden.
Forsythia is another low-maintenance, fast-growing plant that brings a cheerful focal point to the spring garden while attracting bees and butterflies. Forsythia can be as small as 1 foot tall or reach a mature height and spread of 10 feet, depending on the cultivar. Brighter Blooms' Lynwood Gold forsythia shrub is a captivating variety that's ideal for hedges.
Flowering Maple is another favourite of Spengler's and is not a maple tree but has lobed leaves resembling true maple foliage. This shrub blooms with exuberance from early spring to late fall in warm zones, making it one of the longest-flowering shrubs. Flowering Maple has brightly coloured, hibiscus-like flowers with prominent yellow stamens, making it attractive to bees and birds.
Scarlet firethorn is a formidable, thorned shrub that forms an almost impenetrable hedge along a property line. Scarlet firethorn can grow up to 18 feet tall and wide, thriving in USDA zones 6 to 9 in well-draining loam and full or partial sun. Pixies Gardens Pyracantha Government Red Liner is a variety of firethorn with tomato red berries.
California lilac (Ceanothus) is a drought-tolerant plant with brilliant blue flowers that attract pollinators and offer shelter to native birds. The 'Victoria' California lilac shrub is known for its particularly dense flowers.
Abutilon prefers full or partial sun, well-draining acidic soil kept moist, and rewards with flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, crimson, and yellow. Abutilon shrubs can reach up to 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide, thriving in USDA zones 9 to 10.
When choosing shrubs, it's essential to consider your specific USDA hardiness zone and local climate conditions such as temperature extremes, humidity, precipitation, and soil type. Select shrubs that are rated for your zone and also consider microclimate factors like sun exposure, drainage, and winter/summer temperature fluctuations to ensure survival and health.
In warm zones 7-10, Japanese Cleyera (Ternstroemia gymnanthera) thrives with its heat tolerance and slow growth making it good for shady hedges; while drought-tolerant shrubs specialized for arid Midwest or Southwest regions survive harsh dry summers and fluctuating temperatures.
In summary, start with your USDA zone and broad climate type, then refine by water needs, soil, heat tolerance, and specific site conditions, consulting regional plant guides or nursery advice tailored to your area's climate characteristics for best results.
