20 Most Beautiful Flowering Shrubs to Plant in Your Landscape

Shrubs make for an excellent hedge system for your yard. If you are thinking of plant ideas to design your landscape, look no further. Scroll down to read our selection of flowering shrubs which we think would make for a promising landscape.

20 Popular Flowering Shrubs for Your Garden

Flowering shrubs are the easiest way to pump up your garden. To assure you of an array of shrubs based on season, we have compiled a list we think would give a distinct look to your front and backyard.

1. Lilac Bush

Zones – 3-7 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Full

Size – 8-15 ft tall, 6-12 ft wide

Bloom Time – Spring

Varieties to Try – Wedgewood Blue, Yankee Doodle, Belle De Nancy, Madame Lemoine, Primrose

Lilacs are typically planted along the borders in rows and often trimmed to look like a barricade. These bushes are partial towards sunlight as keeping them in the shade can dull their bloom and fertility. Although lilac bush varieties revel in rich, loamy soil, they can grow in clay even if they stall their further development. In terms of moisture, these bushes only need water when there is a persistent shortage of water.

2. Azaleas

Zones – 5-9 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Partial Sun/Filtered Shade

Size – 4-6 ft tall

Bloom Time – Spring

Varieties to Try – Red Ruffles, Golden Flare

Although Azaleas flourish when bred independently, you can also plant them with other shrubs. Planting Azaleas alongside pines and conifers will set a good contrast with regards to their foliage. These shrubs are to be planted preferably in the spring since the extreme sun in the summer months can burn the leaves, while intense shade can strip them of oxygen. Due to their shallow roots, azalea bush varieties require acidic soil.

3. Camellia

Zones – 7-9 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Part Shade to Full Shade

Size – 6-12 ft tall and wide

Bloom Time – Late fall to mid-spring

Varieties to Try – April Blush, April Dawn, April Kiss

Most Camellias have a lifespan of more than 100 years, making them extremely popular. These regal plants are versatile, often implying the need for a lot of space to grow. Camellias require slightly acidic soil, which keeps them moist and rarely ever needs pruning except crossover limbs. What separates Camellias from the other shrubs is that they demand bounteous irrigation till their seedbeds are firmly established.

4. Abelia

Zones – 4-9 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Full Sun to Partial Shade

Size – 2-10 ft tall, 2-8 ft wide

Bloom Time – Spring to Fall

Varieties to Try – Sweet Emotion, Pinky Bells

Abelias are often used as hedging for pastures because of their ability to produce gracefully entwined branches. Although Abelia is tolerant of the different soil types, they flourish under well-drained, slightly acidic conditions. Unlike Lilacs, Abelias require consistent watering to thrive. If you consider Abelias as your primary shrub for landscaping, choose varieties that fit the geography.

5. Forsythia

Zones – 4-8 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Full Sun to Part Shade

Size – 2-10 ft tall, depending on variety

Bloom Time – Spring

Varieties to Try – Kolgold, Show Off Sugar Baby, Sunrise, MeadowLark

These deciduous shrubs require loose, medium moisture,well-draining soil and are perfect for erosion control once planted in slopes. Maintaining Forsythia shrubs can be a task to grow as they thrive under bright sunlight. Once their roots are well established, you do not need to water them as consistently as before unless extended periods of no rainfall.

6. Butterfly Bush

Zones – 5-9  (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Full Sun

Size – 4-12 ft tall, 3-8 ft spread

Bloom Time – Summer, Fall

Varieties to Try – Blue Chip, Miss Ruby, Asian Moon, Ice Chip, Inspired Pink, Purple Haze.

Butterfly bush varieties are easily everyone’s favorite as they require minimal care, repel insects, and are unwavering when placed under stressful conditions. If you are planning on investing in a low-maintenance landscaping idea, planting butterfly bushes would be perfect. These bushes warrant to thrive on any average, well-drained soil, with only top layer compost spread over the domain of the shrub’s roots.

7. Spirea

Zones – 3-8 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Full Sun

Size – 1-8 ft tall, up to 6 ft wide

Bloom Time – Spring and Summer blooming

Varieties to Try – Doodle Play Doozie, Double Play Candy Corn, Bridal Wreath Spirea, Birchleaf Spirea

Spirea’s everlasting blooms and their capacity to handle various landscaping roles make them a garden necessity. These shrubs are infamous for their ability to seed aggressively, often attracting bees and butterflies. Spireas can be an excellent solution to your landscaping troubles, where a dense spirea hedge or screen can help as long as you give them proper spacing.

8. Pearl Bush

Zones – 4-8 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Partial Sun to Full Sun

Size – 5-8 ft tall

Bloom Time – Early- to mid-Spring

Varieties to Try – Snow Day Surprise, Snow Day Blizzard

This specimen of deciduous shrub belongs to the Rosaceae family and thrives on alkaline soil. Though Pearl Bush is not so common now, when planted along with other border plants, these shrubs seem to stand out because of their pure white flowers, which resemble a string of pearls and hence, the name. When endowed with ordinary, well-drained soil, these shrubs proliferate as a flowering hedge, making your landscape look quite aesthetic.

9. Deutzia

Zones – 5-8 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Partial Sun to Full Sun

Size – 3.3 ft- 13.1 ft tall, 2-15 ft wide

Bloom Time – Fall and Spring Bloom

Varieties to Try – Yuki Cherry Blossom, Nikko Blush, Chardonnay Pearls

These mound-forming shrubs are downright low-maintenance, wherein they are tolerant of various climatic conditions. Deutzias have arching branches which give them a certain allure. Prune your Dzeutian shrubs annually to make them look more fresh and presentable.

10. Hydrangea

Zones – 3-7 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Partial Shade

Size – 15 ft tall

Bloom Time – Early Summer and Fall

Varieties to Try – Oakleaf Hydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea, Panicle Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea

Hydrangeas revel under moist and cool conditions with an efficient drainage solution. These shrubs thrive where there is an immense amount of organic compounds. Planting Hydrangea shrubs of different varieties alongside your landscape would give your yard a refreshing look. The fertilization of hydrangeas differs according to their varieties. Thus, you must check whether your soil’s fertility before planting the shrubs.

11. Quince

Zones – 5-9 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Full Sun

Size – 6-10ft tall, 6-10 ft wide

Bloom Time – Late Winter, Early Spring

Varieties to Try – DoubleTake Peach, Double Take Pink Storm

Potting rows of these quince shrubs along the border of your property is sure to bring a bloom into your otherwise plain yard. Quince shrubs also attract the songbirds to make their nests on their leaves. Quince shrubs prosper in well-drained loamy, acidic soil. Considering its wild form, you must keep pruning the shrub whenever necessary. If you plan to keep quince in your yard, maintain enough space and moisture for the plant to grow until maturity.

12. Caryopteris

Zones – 5-9 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Full Sun

Size – 2-4ft tall, 2-4ft wide

Bloom Time – Mid- to late-Summer

Varieties to Try – Blue Balloon, Beyond Midnight, Sunshine Blue, Dark Knight, Longwood Blue, Worchester Gold

Caryopteris plants are of two types: deciduous shrub and woody perennial. For that reason, these shrubs can sprout wherever they are rooted, as a small hedge plant or a perennial border. Its low maintenance with minimal need for fertilizer makes it almost indestructible. Moreover, the flowers are utterly lovely to look at and be surrounded by. These shrubs require average moisture, well-drained soil, although they do fairly well in moist soil.

13. Ninebark

Zones – 2-7 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Full Sun to Partial Shade

Size – 3-10ft tall, 3-12 ft wide

Bloom Time – Late Spring to Summer

Varieties to Try – Diabolo, Center Glow

Ninebark shrubs are to be planted where there is rich and moist soil. Make sure these shrubs are watered regularly once planted. After the initial stage, these can survive on moist soil. Ninebarks can be used as hedges for borders and landscapes. The smaller varieties of Ninebarks like Diabolo and Center Glow can grow in containers as indoor accents. Also, a myriad of ninebark shrubs can help control soil erosion.

14. Korean Spice Viburnum

Zones – 4-8 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Full Sun to Part Shade

Size – 6 ft tall and wide

Bloom Time – Spring

Varieties to Try – Spice Girl, Spice Baby, Spice Island, Compactum, Aurora

These deciduous shrubs are well known for their aromatic quality. If you are looking at aesthetic landscaping, planting Korean Spice Viburnum would be impactful as their fall foliage color is unrivaled. In addition to their prominent aroma, having them as an entry accent would top the charts.

These shrubs are generally tolerant of heat but do well with partial shade in terms of temperature and humidity.

15. Rhododendron

Zones – 4-9 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Dappled Shade to Full Sun

Size – 6-8ft tall, 4-6 ft wide

Bloom Time – Spring

Varieties to Try – Amy Cotta, Raise The Roof Huskymania

Compared to the other garden variety shrubs, Rhododendrons seem to thrive better when planted together with the help of a plant bed. Rhododendrons are partial to loamy, moist acidic soil in that it supplies proper aeration, thereby allowing the plant to grow. These shrubs require annual fertilization, which is usually set during the fall season. Once correctly planted, these shrubs require minimal effort focused on pruning.

16. Fothergilla

Zones – 5-8 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Full Sun – Partial Shade

Size – 3-10 ft tall with the same width

Bloom Time – Spring, Summer, and Fall

Varieties to Try – Dwarf Fothergilla, Blue Mist Fothergilla, Jane Platt Fothergilla

Fothergilla shrubs thrive under moist, acidic soil. The most exciting aspect of Fothergilla shrubs is the various overtones found on the plant’s leaves during seasonal changes. Considering the shrub’s fall foliage, most homeowners prefer to keep these shrubs as hedges and sometimes as a decorative accent.

17. Mountain Laurel

Zones – 4-9 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Light Shade

Size – 5-8 ft tall and wide

Bloom Time – Late Spring

Varieties to Try – Elf, Minuet, Olympic Fire, Peppermint

This broadleaf evergreen plant type has a moderately slow growth rate and is very picky about its soil requirements. These shrubs are highly treasured as accent plants since they perform well under shade. While planting these shrubs in your garden as hedges, you have to consider that Mountain laurels are highly toxic for both humans and animals.

18. Elderberry

Zones – 4-8 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Full Sun

Size – 5-12 ft tall, 3-6 ft wide

Bloom Time – Summer

Varieties to Try – Aurea Cultivar, Variegata, Laciniata, Adams No. 1&2, Johns

Elderberry shrubs can live under a variety of conditions but prefer to regenerate in acidic soil. Although they are easy to grow, these plants are not drought tolerant. Pruning is of absolute necessity, especially when these shrubs tend to get invasive. Chopping the dead branches of the multi-trunked plant can indeed help to grow properly.

19. FireThorn

Zones – 5-9 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Partial Sun/ Shade to Full Sun

Size – More than 8 ft tall

Bloom Time – Fall, Early Winter, Late Spring, and Late Summer

Varieties to Try – Lowboy, Apache, Fiery Cascade, Gnome, Teton

This semi-evergreen shrub is tolerant of all kinds of soil and occasional drought. Their fast growth rate makes it essential to prune them regularly to keep them in their best form. Maintaining a firethorn in your garden will be effortless because of their tolerance level for harsh conditions. Firethorn clusters will not only look great in your yard but also make for good front door wreaths.

20. Oleander

Zones – 8-10 (USDA)

Sun Exposure – Partial to Full Sun

Size – 4-8 ft tall, 4-5 ft wide

Bloom Time – Spring through Fall

Varieties to Try – Hardy Pink, White Sands, Hawaii, Mrs. Lucille Hutchings, Petite Salmon, Mathilde Ferrier

Oleander shrubs require average fertility and moisture to thrive. Due to the well-known fact that they are highly toxic, most gardeners and plant enthusiasts confine to growing these shrubs either indoors or as backyard hedges. Indigenous to hard, rocky soil, they can flourish well during harsh climatic conditions.

Shrubs make for a beautiful landscape, and so, picking any of these options is sure to guarantee you perfect structure and barricade. Since most shrubs grow fast, always make sure that you trim the unruly parts so that your garden looks presentable. So, choose your favorite shrub from this list and get planting!

Also Read:

Summer Flower Ideas for Your Garden
Spring Flowering Plants for Your Garden
Perennial Shade Plants for Your Home Garden