Underestimated Flowering Shrubs

Witch Hazel ushers in Spring

On the whole, deciduous, flowering shrubs get short shrift in modern gardens. We know about lilacs and weigelas, perhaps, but are often discouraged from planting them given “lack of seasonal interest” as the rationalization for such advice.

It is true that some of them shine only when in bloom.

Flowering shrubs take a large space, and maybe that requires more planning and a good preparation for their planting, but the intermediary position of shrubbery gives a solid visual step between lawn and perennials and trees. There are some flowering shrubs that have memorable and evocative scents, the characteristic, I’m sure, that led to past generations loyal love for them.

Think about placing a couple well chosen shrubs in your own yard this fall, since fall time is perfect for planting and the first couple weeks of October are ideal for it.

List of Flowering Shrubs

A short list of flowering shrubs

• Shrub Roses
• Butterfly Bush (PDF file)
• Clethra
• Deutzia
• Forsythia
• Flowering Almond
• Hydrangea, Endless Summer
• Rose of Sharon
• Spireas
• Kerria
• Lilacs
• Weigelas

What can these shrubs do for your yard?

• They can increase the value of your home by adding to the curb appeal. Who doesn’t love to see a flowering bush in full glory?
• They definitely increase your pleasure in your garden when they have a perfume that makes you feel like you are in heaven.
• They create visual balance between ground level and the height of trees or the top of the house.
• Besides providing privacy or screening, they can “direct traffic” on the property.

Seasons Of Interest

Their flowers may coincide with the blossoms of trees or perennials, but they may also provide a bridge when little else is blooming.

Another reason I think shrubs are underestimated is the strength they give to a landscape design aside from their obvious beauty when flowering. These are woody plants for the most part, and they may have good fall color or persistent berries that give winter color.

Giving birds cover and food increases the value of their inclusion in your garden.

Have I persuaded you yet? Are you considering enlivening the evergreen foundations plantings with a deciduous shrub or two? Or adding a group of bushes to screen an unpleasant view and yet allow light into the garden?

Look around your and make a priority out of giving shrubs their due in your landscape.

Past posts about shrubs:

Beauty Bush
Lilacs
Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
Lonicera Fragrantissima, Winter Honeysuckle
New Shrubs From Old
From Joanne: Privet, winter Honeysuckle, and Winter Hazel

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© 2012 written for Ilona’s Garden Journal by Ilona E. An excellent blog.