Flowering Shrubs

 

Flowering shrubs are a great way to add color to your yard or garden. They are easy to grow and require little maintenance. Flowering shrubs are also a great way to bring some privacy to your area. They also attract butterflies and hummingbirds, as well as other wildlife. Here are some of the most common types of flowering shrubs, but this is a very short list. Contact your local landscape contractor or nursery to find which species will best grow in your local area.

 

 

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia Davidii)

 

The flowering shrub commonly known as the butterfly bush produces large and very fragrant sprays of cone shaped flowers. This is an excellent choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. For colors, this is a good choice too. The blooms can be purple, pink, white, or red. The center is usually orange or yellow. Normally, they begin to bloom in midsummer and continue into the fall.

 

 

Forsythia

 

This is an early blooming shrub. The Forsythia produces an abundance of bright yellow flowers. This plant grows very fast and it is common to reach heights of 8 to 10 feet. A side note: Some species will only grow to 1 to 6 feet. If you are not sure about the species you want, ask your local nursery. This is a hearty fellow too. It will thrive in full sun or light shade and will grow in virtually any soil.

 

 

Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera Fragrantissima)

 

This flowering shrub, the honeysuckle, has several names so you may have to do some research to find the one that you want. It blooms into delicate white and pink flowers in early spring, and this is followed by red berries that mature in the early summer. It will normally grow to between 6 and 10 feet. It is very adaptable, and it will grow in full sun or shade, and it will grow in almost any soil.

 

 

The Lilac (Syringa Vulgaris)

 

Lilacs come in a variety of colors besides the usual lilac that we are used to seeing. Lilacs come in other shades of purple, as well as shades of pink, blue, white, red, and even yellow. Generally, they grow between 8 and 10 feet tall. The beloved dwarf versions grow about half that high. These colorful plants will bloom in the early spring. Lilacs grow fast and they should be pruned to maintain their shape. An interesting note: Lilacs not only like the cold, they also appear to actually prefer it because they do not grow as well in areas that do not have a good wintertime frost.

 

 

Variegated Weigela (Weigela Florida)

 

If you want to attract hummingbirds, the variegated weigela is a great choice. It produces one-inch pink flowers that are bell-shaped. It grows about 4 to 6 feet high with a spread that is about five feet or so. This flowering shrub is very hardy and resistant to most pests and diseases.

 

When you need some color and privacy in your yard or garden, consider the flowering shrub. This is one plant that does more than double duty.