Flowering Trees and Shrubs to Grow in your Garden

If you have space, plant a thicket of shrubs in your garden so the birds can find a safe haven

Trees and shrubs are the backbone of your landscape.
They are used as screens, backgrounds and accents. Trees are used for shade and for fruit. Flowering shrubs provide long lasting, beautiful blooms which brighten even the gloomiest of days.
Because the cultural needs, size, and structure can vary so greatly, even within different varieties of the same species of trees and shrubbery, I recommend visiting a local botanical garden or arboretum before deciding on your choices. Even a leisurely stroll through your own neighborhood will provide you with a great deal of insight into what you like, and what grows well in your area. Trees and shrubs live and grow for many years, so the effort it takes to make an informed choice is well worth the time that it takes.
(Besides, it's a great way to spend the day!)

Common Name	Botanical Name	Height	Plant Characteristics and Notes	USDA Zones
Angel's Trumpets	Brugmansia	6-12 ft.	From early summer until fall, mature Angel's Trumpet's produce waves of large, very fragrant, downward hanging, trumpet shaped, 6"-10" long flowers. In frost free regions, they may bloom all year long.	9-12
Azalea	Rhododendron	1-8 ft.	Azaleas must be grown in an acid soil, with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. The buds for next years blooms will be formed this year, so it important that the faded blooms are removed	6-8
Beauty Berry	Callicarpa bodinieri	6-8 ft.	Beautyberry grows to a height of 6-8 feet. The foliage is a beautiful bronze color as it emerges in spring. Small lavender flowers in mid-summer produce clusters of intensely purple berries in the Fall	6-8
Bluebeard	Caryopteris clandonensis	2-3 ft.	Bluebeard plants are low growing shrubs that are covered with fragrant, blue flowers in late summer and early fall. The silvery green, 1"-2" leaves have a light aroma of Eucalyptus when rubbed. Bluebeard flowers are a favorite food for butterflies and bees.	5-9
Butterfly bush	Buddleia davidii	6-15 ft.	The Butterfly Bush is a fast growing, profuse blooming, deciduous shrub that will grow in almost any type of soil. Prune hard in early spring and remove spent flowers promptly.	5-10
Butterfly Gaura	Gaura lindheimeri	2-4 ft.	Butterfly Gaura are shrubby, perennial wildflowers that are closely related to the Evening Primrose. From late spring until first frost, they produce 8"-24" spikes of 1" flowers that are white when they open at dawn and fade to rose-pink as the sun sets.	5-10
Camellia	Camellia	2-3 ft.	Camellias are long lived evergreen shrubs or small trees that can grow anywhere from 6-20 feet tall with up to a 10 foot spread, depending on the species and cultivar. They have glossy, dark green, 2"-4" foliage that is attractive even when the plant is out of bloom. The flower colors range from pure white to deep, dark red and there are even some bi-colored varieties.	7-10
Witch Hazel	Hamamelis mollis	10-15 ft.	Witch Hazel is a low maintenance deciduous shrub which is one of the earliest blooming shrubs, providing you with lots of showy, fragrant flowers beginning in early February	5-9
Cinquefoil	Potentilla fruticosa	2-3 ft.	Potentillas prefer well-drained, reasonably rich soil, but will tolerate clay, rocky, or even slightly alkaline soils as well. Loads of pink or yellow 'buttercup' flowers in June.	2-7
Cotoneaster	Cotoneaster	3"-15 ft.	Cotoneaster is an extremely diverse genus of plants which includes ground covers, dwarf sized bushes and large sprawling shrubs. The flowers are generally small and appear from spring to early summer followed by bright red or orange berries for the birds to eat in winter.	vary
Coyote Brush	Baccharis pilularis	2-3 ft.	Coyote Brush is a fast growing evergreen shrub with small, bright green leaves. It blooms from July through October with clusters of tiny flowers. The male flowers are yellow, female flowers are white	7-10
Elderberry	Sambucus	10-20 ft.	Elderberries are fast growing, low maintenance, multi-stemmed deciduous shrubs with deeply veined, serrated foliage. They produce large flat clusters of flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by small berries which may or may not be poisonous, by species	4-10
Exbury Azalea	Rhododendron	4-12 ft.	Deciduous Exbury Azaleas bloom in late spring or early summer, producing clusters of 7-18 large, 2"-3", often very fragrant, often bi-colored flowers in shades of yellow, orange, pink, red and white.	5-9

Flowering Plum	Prunus blireiana	15-20 ft.	Flowering Plums seldom produce fruit due to a lack of pollinators when they bloom, but the dark purple plums are edible. The fragrant, one inch, pink flowers appear in early spring followed by purple foliage which turns green by mid-summer	5-9
Flowering Quince	Chaenomeles speciosa	3-10 ft.	Flowering Quince is a twiggy, rounded upright deciduous shrub. The 1" foliage opens to a beautiful reddish bronze color before turning dark green by mid summer. Showy cup shaped flowers cover each stem in the spring before turning to an edible fruit by summers end	4-8
Red Flowering Currant	Ribes sanguineum	6-10 ft.	This 6-10 foot tall deciduous shrub is hardy in USDA Planting Zones 5-8 In early spring it produces pendulous clusters of red or pink flowers that attract and feed hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The small bluish-black berries are eaten by a wide variety of wild birds.	5-8
Gardenia	Gardenia jasminoides	6 ft.	Gardenias should be planted in well conditioned soil containing peat moss and compost. Keep the soil moist, cool and weed free. Proper temperatures are necessary for a gardenia to bloom. May be grown as a house plant	9-10
Golden Bells	Forsythia	1-10 ft.	One of the earliest signs that spring has arrived, is when the Forsythia bursts into a profusion of yellow blossoms spreading from the ground to the tip of each graceful, cascading branch. Forsythias will grow in almost any soil or growing condition	4-9

Golden Chain Tree	Laburnum watereri	12-15 ft.	Golden Chain Trees are fairly ordinary looking plants when they are not in bloom... but... when the 12"-24" pendulous clusters of bright yellow, pea-like flowers open, the Golden Chain Tree transforms into a real traffic stopper.	5-7
Harry Lauder's Walking Stick	Corylus avellana 'Contorta'	8-10 ft.	Discover the true inner beauty of Harry Lauder's Walking Stick... The fantastically twisted, gnarled, contorted, spiraling branches will quickly capture your imagination. Well suited for growing as an outdoor container plant.	3-9
Heavenly Bamboo	Nandina domestica	3-5 ft.	Nandina can be grown in partial shade, but the foliage colors will be much more intense if it is grown in full sun. Produces berries for birds.	6-9
Holly	Ilex aquifolium	50 ft.	Holly trees require well-drained, slightly acidic, fertile soil. They can tolerate either sun and shade. The male and female flowers of the holly tree are produced on separate plants. Therefore to ensure berry production, both male and female plants need to be planted.	6-8
Hydrangea	Hydrangea macrophylla	4-10	Hydrangeas need an abundance of water (hydrangea means water tub in Greek), partial to full sun,and very rich soil. Spent Hydrangea flowers should be removed as soon as possible to allow the plant to direct it's strength to growing and producing new buds.	8-11
Japanese Maple	Acer palmatum	3-20 ft.	Japanese Maple trees grow best in a moist, well draining, fertile soil. There are over 300 beautiful and diverse hybrids with a wide range of growing habits and foliage colors and shapes.	4-8
Japanese Pieris	Pieris japonica	6-12 ft.	The Japanese Pieris, or Lily of the Valley shrub is a nice plant to add to the garden for early spring color. It is a compact, symetrical, evergreen shrub that has leathery 3-4 inch foliage that emerges coppery-pink, before turning to a deep green. Cascading clusters of small, urn shaped flowers open in February or early March.	4-8
Lilacs	Syringa vulgaris	5-8 ft.	Lilacs require full sun for maximum bloom. They prefer a slightly alkaline soil (pH 7.5). Most Lilacs require a pronounced winter chilling period or they may fail to bloom the following year	3-7
Mimosa Tree	Albizia julibrissin	20-30 ft.	The Mimosa Tree is a short lived, fast growing, multi stemmed deciduous tree with fine, compound, fern like foliage. It produces clusters of fragrant, feather-ball flowers in the summer, followed by brownish seed pods	6-9
Mock Orange	Philadelphus virginalis	10-12	Mock Orange thrives in full sun or light shade, in almost any soil, but they grow and bloom best in moist, well-drained soil. It needs to be pruned immediately after flowering by cutting back the outer stems that have bloomed	4-8
Natal Plum	Carissa macrocarpa	4-8 ft.	Natal Plum is a quick growing tender shrub with thick, shiny, oval 1-2" leaves. The fruit is edible, but the leaves contain toxic sap. Thorns along the stems.	9-11
Nootka Rose	Rosa nutkana	4-10 ft.	Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest used this fragrant Wild Rose to create a tea which was used to enhance eyesight. Mashed (or chewed up) leaves can be used as a remedy for bee stings	4-8
Norfolk Island Pines	Araucaria heterophylla	6+ ft.	The beauty and symmetry as well as the soft flowing texture of the foliage will make you want to decorate your Norfolk Pine and use it as a living Christmas tree!	10-11
Oregon Grape	Mahonia aquifolium	3-6 ft.	Oregon Grape is a deer resistant, low maintenance, durable, evergreen shrub with glossy green, holly like foliage. It produces spikey clusters of Butterfly attracting, bright yellow flowers in the spring, followed by bluish-black berries to feed the birds.	5-9
Poplar trees	Populus canadensis	30 ft.	Poplars must be planted with caution because of the invasive tendencies of the roots. They should never be planted nearer than 30 ft. from buildings, paving or drains. Useful for wind breaks	4-9
Powder Puff Tree	Calliandra haematocephala	3-10 ft.	Calliandra haematocephala, commonly known as the Powder Puff Tree grow up to 10 feet tall with an equal spread, but dwarf, 3-6 foot varieties are also available, which are more appropriate in colder regions where you will need to over-winter your plant indoors.	10-12
Privet	Ligustrum vulgare	4-15 ft.	Privet is a densely growing deciduous shrub with small light green, mottled or golden foliage. It produces clusters of fragrant white flowers all summer. Can be pruned into elaborate shapes Attracts Butterflies: Spring Azure, Painted Ladies, Red-spotted Purple	1-10
Pussy willow	Salix discolor	5-20 ft.	Pussy willows grow well in almost any soil but it is a good idea to supplement it with peat moss, leaf mold or compost. Male flowers are yellow, female flowers are white.	4-8
Rabbitbrush	Chrysothamnus nauseosus	4-5 ft.	Rabbitbrush is best known for it's intensely yellow colored flowers which bloom from August through October.	4-6
Rainbow Leucothoe	Leucothoe fontanesiana	3-5 ft.	Rainbow Leucothoe is an easy to care for, slow growing, 3-5 ft. multi-stemmed evergreen shrub, with glossy, variegated 3-4" leaves. Good as an accent plant or for boggy areas.	5-8
Red Twig Dogwood	Cornus stolonifera	15 ft.	The Red Twig Dogwood is native to most of the northern United States and Canada. The white blooms appear in the Spring, white berries appear in late summer and provide a treat for the birds, then in the fall the foliage turns to a deep crimson red.	3-8
Redvein Enkianthus	Enkianthus campanulatus	10 ft	Redvein Enkianthus are deciduous shrubs known for their small, densely clustered, lightly scented bell shaped flowers that appear in late spring and the layered effect of their small, stiff, bluish-green leaves. In the fall, the foliage turns to shades of yellow, orange or red.	6-9
Rhododendron 'Blitz'	Rhododendron	5 ft.	Rhododendron 'Blitz' has deep red, trumpet shaped flowers in late May. Rhododendrons must be grown in an acid soil, with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. They will not tolerate lime.	2-8
Rhododendron 'Purple Splendour'	Rhododendron	5 ft.	Rhododendron 'Purple Splendour' has deep purple flowers with black blotching in late May. Rhododendrons must be grown in an acid soil, with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. They will not tolerate lime.	2-8
Rhododendron 'Wren'	Rhododendron 'Wren'	12"	Low growing, mounding miniature Rhododendron with bright yellow flowers	3
Rose Daphne	Daphne cneorum	1 ft.	Rose Daphne is a fragrant, low growing evergreen shrub which blooms prolifically in the spring and occasionally again in the summer. It is excellent as a ground cover or foreground planting	4-8
Rough-leaf Hydrangea	Hydrangea aspera	10-12 ft.	Hydrangea aspera will grow 10 to 12 feet tall with an 8-10 foot spread. This deciduous shrub has very large leaves that are greyish-green with a fuzzy texture on the top, and light green below. In the summer and early fall, they produce large, 10"-12", flattened flowerheads.	7-10
Salal	Gaultheria shallon	2-8 ft.	Salal is a deer resistant, low growing shrub that prefers partial shade and well draining, acidic soil. It has thick, leathery, dark green foliage and spikes of small bell flowers in the spring and edible purple berries in the fall	5-9
Silverberry	Eleagnus commutata	8-15 ft.	Silverberry is a trouble free, very spiny evergreen shrub with waxy, olive green foliage. It produces small clusters of vase shaped flowers in fall, which develop into berry-like fruits	7-9
Sweet Pepperbush	Clethra alnifolia	6-10 ft.	Sweet Pepperbush is an upright growing, deciduous shrub with light to dark green, deeply veined foliage. It produces spires of tiny, fragrant flowers from mid to late summer Attracts Butterflies: Spicebush Swallowtail, Question Mark, American Painted Lady, Red Admiral	5-9
Trapper's Tea	Ledum glandulosum	2-4 ft.	Trapper's Tea is an extremely hardy relative of the Rhododendron, usually found in boggy areas or at the edge of small streams. Aromatic white flowers in late Spring	2-8
Pink Snowball Bush	Viburnum bodnantense	8-10 ft.	Viburnum are deciduous shrubs that produce clusters of very fragrant pink flowers in mid-winter to early spring. Deeply textured foliage. Can be propagated by softwood cuttings	5-9
Vine Maples	Acer circinatum	15-20 ft.	Vine Maple grow well in a wide variety of soil types, varying levels of sunlight and tolerate almost any level of watering once established	5-9
Violet Tubeflower	Iochroma cyaneum	3-5 ft.	Violet Tubeflowers are shrubby, evergreen plants. They are sometimes called Mini Brugs, because they resemble and are a close relative of Brugmansias. they produce umbel-like, dangling clusters of up to 20, 2"-3", tubular, deep purple flowers.	9-11
Winter Daphne	Daphne odora	4 ft.	Winter Daphne is a popular spreading, evergreen shrub that blooms in February and March, producing a cluster of fragrant, pink to red flowers at the end of each branch. The narrow, dark green, 3" leaves are thick and glossy. Winter Daphne plants will grow to a height of four feet, with a 6-8 foot spread.	8-10

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Flowering Trees and Shrubs to Grow in your Garden