There are many types of shrubs: some are deciduous, others perennial; Some produce very showy flowers, while others stand out for other reasons, such as their size, color and / or rusticity. Depending on the use that you want to give them, they are planted in the garden, or in pots.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to know the names and the care of those that you can find for sale more easily, and also those that may be rarer but equally interesting for its cultivation.
Common bush types
The most common shrubs, and therefore the easiest to find in nurseries and garden stores, are:
Boxwood
Boxwood, whose scientific name is Buxus sempervirens, is an evergreen plant that grows in Europe. If it is allowed to grow freely, it can measure up to 12 meters, but it is normally kept as a low shrub as it tolerates pruning very well. In addition, it supports frosts down to -20ºC, and only needs moderate watering, and of course sun.
Forsythia
Forsythia, belonging to the genus Forsythia, is a deciduous shrub that grows between 1 and 3 meters tall. It is a plant that blooms in spring, producing numerous yellow flowers. It can be both in the sun and in semi-shade, but it is important that you know that it will only grow in soils or acidic substrates since it does not tolerate lime. Resists up to -20ºC.
Cape Milkmaid
The Cape milkmaid is an evergreen shrub whose scientific name is Polygala myrtifolia. Grows up to 4 meters maximum, and produces pink flowers in spring. The good thing about it is that it looks like a tree, so over time it gives an interesting shade. It is native to South Africa; thus and everything is capable of resisting up to -3ºC. It is also not too bad for droughts as long as they are short-lived and on the ground.
Fast-growing evergreen shrub types
If what you are looking for are evergreen shrubs that grow at a good rate, then we recommend the following:
senna alexandrina (before Cassia angustifolia)
La senna alexandrina it is an evergreen shrub that reaches a maximum height of 1 meter. It is native to Egypt, and it is a plant that as long as it is in full sun and in an area where the climate is warm or tropical it will grow fast. It supports weak frosts, but they must be punctual, and only up to -2ºC.
Laurel
The laurel is an evergreen shrub or tree whose scientific name is Laurus nobilis. It is native to the Mediterranean region, and grows between 5 and 10 meters. Due to its origin we can assume that it likes the sun and that it resists drought if it is on the ground. For this reason, the irrigations should not be frequent. Supports up to -12ºC.
Loropetalo
The Parrot is a shrub whose scientific name is loropetalum chinense. It is native to Asia, and reaches a height of 2-3 meters. It produces very curious flowers, with long, thin, pink petals. Of course, it grows in acidic or slightly acidic soils, but otherwise it resists up to -18ºC.
Types of flowering shrubs
There are many bushy plants that produce very showy flowers. We have seen some of them already, but there are others that are even more beautiful if possible:
Butterfly bush
The butterfly bush is a deciduous plant native to China and Japan that grows between 2 and 3 meters. It has this curious common name for its flowers, which are lilac, blue, pink, white, or purple, and appear in summer and autumn: butterflies are very attracted to them, or rather, to the nectar they contain. Its scientific name is Buddleja davidii. It grows well in almost any type of soil, but prefers light ones. Put it in the sun and don't forget to prune it in winter. It resists frosts down to -18ºC.
Azalea
La azalea (genus Rhododendron) is a shrub, usually evergreen, which reaches a height of 1-2 meters. It has small flowers, but it produces them in such numbers and for so long that it is a pleasure to see it. Perhaps the only drawback is that it needs acidic soils, and some shade. In addition, it supports cold and weak frosts, but only up to -2ºC.
Lilo
The lilo or lilac, whose scientific name is Syringa vulgaris, is a shrub or deciduous tree endemic to the Balkans, in Europe. It grows slowly the first years, but once established it goes faster. It reaches a height of 6-7 meters, and blooms in spring. He likes the sun and receiving water from time to time; On the other hand, it is not an ideal plant to have in dry climates; even in the Mediterranean it has a hard time in summer if it is not watered. Resists up to -7ºC.
Which of these types of bushes did you like the most? Do you have any in your garden or potted?