Small Shrubs

Small shrubs are a lot more useful in landscaping than they might at first appear. Think of them as perennials you grow for their foliage! Inherently less showy than their larger counterparts, one benefit short bushes offer is low-maintenance. Often, homeowners have little choice, there simply being no room in their yards for a full-sized plant.

Emerald Gaiety Euonymus
If you're looking for versatility in a small shrub, Emerald Gaiety euonymus may be right up your alley. It's not fussy about growing conditions, and it can play a number of roles in your landscaping. I explain here.

Gold Mound Spirea
'Gold Mound' spirea bears pink flowers, as does 'Neon Flash' spirea. But while the latter is all about the blooms, people grow Gold Mound more for its eye-popping foliage.

Heather Plants
"Heather" is a name widely used in a loose sense to encompass (primarily) 2 different types of small shrubs, Calluna vulgaris and the various plants in the genus, Erica . Calluna vulgaris , technically, is the true heather (associated with Scotland), while Erica is more precisely dubbed "heath." In this article I discuss an Erica .

Blue Rug Juniper Plants
Blue Rug junipers are such small shrubs that they are used as ground covers! Thought to be overused by some in the landscaping trade, they are nonetheless undeniably useful little plants for homeowners. Intended for areas with full sun, they can serve as a lawn substitute; grow them to address the challenges posed by a steep hillside (imagine...

Blue Star Juniper
Another small shrub bearing evergreen needles (like Blue Rug), Blue Star juniper is aptly named. Looked at from above, the branches do appear to terminate in tiny star shapes; meanwhile, the foliage is probably as bright a blue as you'll find on any evergreen with the possible exception of blue spruce.

Tree Peonies
If you love the common perennials known as "peonies," then you'll love tree peonies. You may not get the heady aroma you're used to, but they are well worth growing just for the look of their massive flowers.

Discuss in my forum