Ornamental shrubs are widely used in the design of the yard. Their popularity is due to their unpretentiousness in maintenance, external attractiveness, and great diversity. They are used for decorating hedges, as single plantings and group compositions. Ornamental plantings create a background for other garden groups or are the main accent on the plot.

Varieties of beautiful ornamental shrubs

Among the most popular varieties of beautiful decorative shrubs for garden design, which in addition to beauty, are unpretentious in care, are spirea, hydrangea, lilacs, and several other species. More about their care of them – below.

1. Spirea

This variety of ornamental shrubs is characterized by fast growth, frost resistance, abundant flowering, and unpretentious care. There are two species – one bloom in summer, the other – in spring. After the spring flowering, old and weakened branches are removed. The “summer” spireas are characterized by a longer blooming period. 

Flowers of different pink shades are formed into inflorescences in the form of a flat ball or spike (Spiraea bumalda). In order to keep the shape of a compact ball, the spirea is cut in spring to a stump a few centimeters high. The height of the plant is 50 – 200 cm. 

Features:

  • Plants are unpretentious about soil quality – fertile soil is not necessary;
  • Grow both in the sun and in the shade;
  • They are winter-hardy;
  • Characterized by a wide range of sizes, shapes, colors, and flowering periods.

2. Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens is one of the most winter-hardy varieties of ornamental shrubs of North American origin. Japanese and Chinese species are less resistant to frost and more demanding in care. Inexperienced flower growers are advised to start growing a plant of the first type. Tree hydrangea is unpretentious in care and looks quite spectacular when it is decorated with caps of white flowers during flowering. It can be planted in a group or one plant at a time. Hydrangea perfectly combines with conifers and deciduous ornamental shrubs.

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Hydrangea belongs to the category of moisture-loving plants which feel well in the shade. The soil should be acidic and well-drained. When planting the plant, you can add peat to the soil and acidify it periodically with iron sulfate. 

3. Deutzia

It is distinguished by its small, achromatic, or non-machromatic white and intense pink flowers, which form on the shrub in June. Among the most unpretentious varieties of this plant is the deitia roughica with white-pink flowers.

Features:

  • The plant does not require soil;
  • Feels great where there is no stagnant moisture;
  • Grows equally well under the sun and in the shade;
  • The height of the shrub from 120 to 170 cm;
  • Easy care;
  • During the wintering period, the branches of the plant should be pressed to the ground so that the buds do not freeze under severe frost.

4. Weigela

All of the above types of ornamental shrubs can not compete with it the beauty of flowering. The plant requires a lot of space, the presence of fertile soil, and annual pruning – only if these simple conditions are met will it show itself in all its beauty. When the flowers fade, the branches on which they are located are pruned.

Features:

  • The planting site should be windless;
  • The distance between the seedlings should be at least 200 cm;
  • Flowering is spring-summer (May-June). Repeated flowering is possible;
  • The height of the plant is 1.5 to 2 m;
  • The plant is undemanding to the soil, the presence of sun or shade;
  • There are frost-resistant varieties.

5. Lilac

A familiar shrub for everyone – lilacs. It has lush bunches and a stunning fragrance. The shape and size of lilacs can be corrected by timely pruning. It is not afraid of severe cold weather.

What to consider when choosing an ornamental shrub:

  • Compatibility with the climate zone;
  • Easy care;
  • Longevity;
  • The size of the place for planting;
  • Variety of forms and aesthetics even after the leaves have fallen.

6. Rose

Terry flowers vary in color. The number of shoots on one plant is from 3 to 5. Bushes can reach 2 m in width. Among the distinctive features are the charming fragrance, unpretentiousness, and resistance to adverse weather conditions.

7. Hibiscus

In the assortment of specialized stores, there are annual and perennial varieties. The former are flowering plants, the latter are shrubs. During the flowering period, bushes are covered with bright, large corollas.

8. Potentilla

It can have a prostrate or compact form. It is characterized by an abundance of small flowers. The most common shrubs have yellow flowers, which can be single or cystic, or umbrella-shaped. 

Features:

  • The height of the bush is 1 – 1.5 m;
  • Flowering is long – during the whole summer;
  • Drought tolerance;
  • Photophilic;
  • The plant feels well in rich, moderately moist soils;
  • Suitable for pruning.

9. Chaenomeles

Otherwise, this plant is called a Japanese quince. In spring, it decorates the site with bright flowers with a diameter of 3 to 5 cm, and in autumn, it delights with golden-scented fruits. Henomeles bears fruit every year, starting from 3-4 years after planting. It is not necessary to prune the shrub – it is enough to thin it periodically. The height of the plant is 100 – 300 cm.

10. Kerria japonica

Another type of unpretentious shrub blooms in the spring (April-May). It is possible to bloom repeatedly during the season. The advantage of Kerria is that the shrub itself, even without flowers, looks quite attractive – its bright green leaves resemble young birch leaves.

Features:

  • The plant reaches a height of up to 200 cm;
  • Spring flowering lasts at least two months;
  • Feels good in a sunny place. In the shade loses its decorativeness;
  • Needs regular watering and fertilizing;
  • Can be planted singly and in groups;
  • It can be grown in pots.

Rules for planting shrubs

Ornamental bushes are planted in autumn before frosts or early in spring when the snow has already melted, and buds on the trees have just begun to awaken. In this case, wells of the required shape and depth for planting are prepared and fertilized already in autumn. 

Seedlings are recommended to buy only in proven nurseries and flower stores.

Before direct planting, the plant should be kept in water with a growth stimulant for several hours in advance.

Planting requirements:

  • Low and dwarf bushes are planted at intervals of 0.6 – 0.8 m;
  • Medium – with an interval of 1.5 m;
  • Tall – at least 2 m.

For decorative shrubs to look organically and naturally in the garden, it is recommended to adhere to these simple rules:

  • Green is a priority color, so the bright leaves of ornamental plants play the role of accent spots;
  • An important criterion in the choice of plants – is the level of light in the territory;
  • To dilute the contrasting bright shades of foliage and flowers should be used plants with flowers of white and silver hues;
  • It is important to consider the degree of frost resistance for each plant.

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