8 garden shrubs for beginners and experts

View of bushes in a garden

Garden shrubs are, behind trees, the most important plants that can be in any green paradise created at home. They are those that will give it shape, movement, and also a lot of life, since there are many species of animals that will not hesitate to protect themselves from the sun and / or possible predators under the shade of their leaves, or to feed on pollen and / or nectar from its flowers.

But of so many that there are, how do you know which one is the most suitable for you? Sometimes it is very difficult to make a decision, so then we are going to show you our selection 🙂.

Selection of garden shrubs and their names

Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)

Abelia x grandiflora in a garden

Image - Flickr / briweldon

It is a semi-deciduous shrub (that is, it does not lose all its leaves) that is highly branched and develops arched and reddish branches. Reaches a height of between 1 and 1,5 meters, and produces white-pink flowers from spring to early fall.

It is a plant that must be in semi-shade, or in a bright area, with non-calcareous soil. Water it moderately, 3-4 times a week during the hottest season, and a little less often the rest. Resists frosts down to -12ºC once adultBut as a young man he needs a little protection.

Oleander (nerium oleander)

Oleander is the common name for Nerium oleander

Image - Wikimedia / Kolforn

Also known as rose laurel, flower laurel, baladre, trinitaria or Roman laurel, it is a shrub or evergreen tree up to 6 meters high native to the Mediterranean Sea basin to China. It produces pink, red or white flowers in spring and summer, and brown fruits that are poisonous.

It requires a sunny exposure, and very frequent waterings. It can withstand frosts down to -7ºC without problems.

Nerium oleander, commonly known as Oleander
Related article:
Oleanders (Nerium Oleander)

Cika (Cycas revoluta)

View of a Cycas revoluta

Image - Flickr / brewbooks

Also known as false palm, true Indian sago, king sago or sago palm (not to be confused with palms, since it has no relationship with them), it is a plant native to southern Japan that grows to a maximum height of 6-7 meters, although the normal thing is that it does not exceed 2m. It blooms only when it reaches a certain age (generally, when the trunk measures at least 60-70cm), in spring, producing a tubular inflorescence if the specimen is male, or rounded if it is female.

It can be both in direct sun and in semi-shade, and needs about 2 weekly waterings in summer and others every week or ten days the rest of the year. It resists frosts down to -6ºC.

Cycas Garden
Related article:
Cica

China rose (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Hibiscus rosa sinensis or China rose, a garden shrub

Image - Wikimedia / Forest & Kim Starr

Also known as cardinals, hibiscus or kiss flower, it is an evergreen shrub (or deciduous in areas that are at the limit of its rusticity) native to China that grows up to 5 meters high. It produces alternate, oval leaves and flowers of various colors (yellow, pink, red, white, orange) in spring and summer.

It must be kept in a bright area or in full sun, and protected from the wind, especially if it is strong. It requires frequent watering but avoiding waterlogging. Does not resist frost, except if they are weak and of short duration of up to -2ºC.

Related article:
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Selection of cold-resistant garden shrubs

Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)

View of a blueberry in garden

Image - Wikimedia / JDavid

Also known as bilberry, it is a deciduous shrub native to the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere that reaches a meter in height. It produces pinkish-green flowers in spring, and blue-black edible berries that have a sweet and sour but pleasant taste.

It can be grown in both sunny and partially shaded areas, and watered 3-4 times a week in warmer times, and every 6-8 days the rest of the year. Resists frosts down to -15ºC.

Blueberry cultivation
Related article:
Blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus)

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)

Japanese maple in a garden

Image - Wikimedia / Rüdiger Wölk

Also known as webbed Japanese maple, Japanese palm maple, or polymorphic maple, it is a shrub or deciduous tree native to Japan and Korea that can reach a height of between 2 and 16 meters depending on the variety and / or cultivar (cultivars do not exceed 5m).

It must be kept in semi-shade, always protected from direct sun, in an acid soil (pH between 4 and 6). It requires frequent watering, with rainwater or without lime. It resists frosts down to -18ºC.

Acer palmatum Emperor
Related article:
Japanese maple

Small-leaved boxwood (Buxus microphylla)

Small-leaved boxwood

Image - Wikimedia / Salicna

Also known as Japanese boxwood, it is an evergreen shrub native to Japan and Taiwan that grows up to a meter in height and that produces very small glossy green leaves of less than 18mm.

It requires a sunny exposure, and rather moderate waterings (about 2 times a week in summer, and every 10 days the rest of the year more or less). It resists frosts down to -12ºC.

Star magnolia (Starry magnolia)

Magnolia stellata or star magnolia

Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang

It is a highly branched deciduous shrub or tree that grows up to 2-3 meters tall. It is native to Japan, and produces flowers in spring that are large, solitary, aromatic, and white, sometimes pinkish in color.

It requires acid soils, as well as rainwater or lime-free irrigation water. Place in partial shade to avoid burning. Resists frosts down to -18ºC (but its flowers fall prematurely if late frosts occur).

What do you think of these garden shrubs? If you are looking for more, here you go:

Camellia flower, a spectacular shrub
Related article:
11 flowering shrubs for garden or pot

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