With the introduction of numerous compact varieties, these plants require less space to fit into today’s smaller home sites. Many are also fuss-free, requiring minimal, if any, shearing to maintain their shapes. In many settings, shrubs are being planted to replace turf and reduce chemical and irrigation costs. Best of all, new hybrids of old favorites have been introduced with improved hardiness.
If you’re installing the same shrubs on every site, check out these new varieties to add beauty and reliability to both commercial and residential landscapes.
Flowering Shrubs
L.A. Dreamin’ Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lindsey Anne’), Photo: Ball OrnamentalsL.A. Dreamin’ Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lindsey Anne’)
Reblooming variety boasts blue, pink, and variations of every shade in between on one plant without special soil amendments or fertilizers. Grows 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
*Hardy to USDA Zone 5
*Part sun
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Magical Robin Weigela (Weigela hybrid, Magical series) Photo: Ball OrnamentalsMagical Robin Weigela (Weigela hybrid, Magical series)
Intense red blooms pop against bright green foliage. Best bloom in spring, followed by some flowering throughout the season. This dense, tidy plant needs no pruning. Other colors in the series include bright pink or white. Grows 2 1/2 feet tall and wide.
*Hardy to USDA Zone 5
*Sun
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Oso Happy Smoothie Landscape Rose (Rosa ‘ZLECharlie’) Photo: Proven WinnersOso Happy Smoothie Landscape Rose (Rosa ‘ZLECharlie’)
Thornless, super cold hardy and long blooming from June to frost. Resists black spot well; doesn’t need spraying. Works well in mixed borders. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.
*Hardy to USDA Zone 4
*Full sun
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Tiny Wine Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘SMPOTW’) Photo: Proven WinnersTiny Wine Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘SMPOTW’)
Small but mighty, this dwarf variety has dark bronze foliage all season long. White flowers in spring. Native planting that adapts to most soils. Use in mixed borders, hedges or containers. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.
*Hardy to USDA Zone 3
*Full sun
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Crème Fraiche Deutzia (Deutzia gracilis ‘Mincream’)
Pretty variegated foliage looks attractive when planted en masse or with yellow annuals. Deer resistant. Grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide.
*Hardy to USDA Zone 5
*Full sun
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Blueberry Glaze Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium x myrsinites x corymbosum hybrid, Blueberry Glaze) Photo: Fall Creek Farm and NurseryBlueberry Glaze Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium x myrsinites x corymbosum hybrid, Blueberry Glaze)
Attractive and practical, this plant looks like a boxwood with glossy dark green foliage but yields clusters of inky black edible berries in mid-summer. Works as an accent, hedge (can be sheared like a boxwood) or in containers. Grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
*Hardy to USDA zone 5
*Full sun
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Colorful Foliage
Glow Girl Spirea (Spirea betulifolia ‘Tor Gold’) Photo: Proven WinnersGlow Girl Spirea (Spirea betulifolia ‘Tor Gold’)
Lemon-lime foliage holds its color through three seasons and resists summer burn. Cold hardy. Attracts hummingbirds. Use as a foundation planting or in mixed borders. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.
*Hardy to USDA Zone 3
*Sun to part shade
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Sunjoy Tangelo Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘O’Byrne’) Photo: Proven WinnersSunjoy Tangelo Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘O’Byrne’)
Bright orange foliage often accented by a chartreuse margin. Provides color from spring to fall. Deer resistant. Works well as foundation planting or in mixed borders. Other colors in the new Sunjoy series include gold, red, and nearly black. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.
*Hardy to USDA Zone 4
*Full sun
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Lemon Candy Physocarpus (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Podaras 3’) Photo: Ball OrnamentalsLemon Candy Physocarpus (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Podaras 3’)
Fluorescent gold from spring until summer. Cold-hardy native can tolerate many types of soils. Deer resistant and drought tolerant. Plant in sun for best color. Grows 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.
*Hardy to USDA Zone 3
*Sun
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Distinctive Appearance
Cousin Itt Acacia (Acacia cognata ‘Mini Cog’) Photo: Ball OrnamentalsCousin Itt Acacia (Acacia cognata ‘Mini Cog’)
Unique feathery texture with soft, dangling foliage. Thornless and drought tolerant. Provides a beautiful accent in the landscape or in a container. Grows 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
*Hardy to USDA Zone 9
*Sun
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Black Tower Sambucus (Sambucus nigra) Photo: Ball OrnamentalsBlack Tower Sambucus (Sambucus nigra)
Upright burgundy-black plant holds its color well in heat. Striking accent plant. Narrow habit is good for smaller areas. Grows 6 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.
*Hardy to USDA Zone 4
*Sun to part sun
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Sugar Shack Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis ‘SMCOSS’) photo: Proven WinnersSugar Shack Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis ‘SMCOSS’)
Native plant that’s been bred to a manageable size for the landscape. Glossy foliage and eye-catching white pincushion flowers with red fruit in fall. Does well in wet conditions. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.
*Hardy to USDA Zone 4
*Sun to part shade
