Hardy Shrubs for Low-Maintenance Landscaping

Requiring only basic maintenance and room to grow, shrubs and bush plants appeal to landscapers with minimal time for plants and gardening. The presence of decorative shrubbery can help minimize landscaping chores, including weeding fence lines or house perimeters.

Nandinas

Thick, glossy green leaves and reddish stems characterize this medium-height shrub. Most varieties are evergreen in warmer climates, featuring tiny white blossoms that produce glossy red berries in the fall. Predominantly a southern and western U.S. choice, it can survive freezing northern temperatures if the roots are deep enough.

Sprigs and red berries from nandinas are used as Christmas greenery due to the long-lasting colors and shape even when dry; the bushes can survive in both shaded areas and full sun. Offshoots from the original plant spread over time to cover the surrounding area.

Mock Orange

Characterized by its white blossoms and sweet scent, mock orange blossoms attract butterflies and other insects during their late spring blooming season. A popular choice which can survive and even thrive in all U.S. regions, mock oranges need occasional pruning to maintain the health of the bush.

The mature plant can reach significant heights of four feet or greater, depending upon the health of the bush and how much sunlight exposure it receives, requiring extra yard space for landscapers.

Quince

A hardwood shrub that expands both in width and height over time, quince blossoms feature beautiful broad-sized petals whose appearance and insect attraction rivals fruit trees. The quince is a poor choice for cold Northern climates (typically U.S. zones three and four), including most northern states along the Canadian border.

The silvery-grey bark and branches resemble maple trees in terms of color and structure; the plant does require occasional maintenance to remove invasive or rival plant life, making it less than ideal in terms of a weed block.

Azaleas

Like the quince bush, azaleas are a good choice for consuming large blocks of space to reduce mowing time. Available in both large and dwarf selections, the shrub features large blossoms in vivid colors during the spring. They prefer zones five to nine, but strong plants can survive zone four temperatures.

Occasional pruning and weeding is necessary with young, dwarf, or damaged plants; a large and healthy azalea should be relatively weed-free once it matures, with the exception of periods following more aggressive pruning.

Yellow Forsythia

This sprawling, weed-like shrub sports vivid yellow flowers during the spring. The forsythia’s sprig stems grow up to four feet in height in many locations, and prefer plenty of space, making this plant a good choice for growing along fence lines or bordering buildings.

The bushes are subtly scented, encouraging garden insects to visit their locations. Their fast-spreading nature does help deter weeds beneath their green summer foliage. While forsythia prefer moderate temperatures from zones four through eight, some varieties can survive extreme temperatures in zones three or nine, for instance.

Hibiscus

A classic hardy shrub, hibiscus are characterized by their large, exotic blossoms, featuring scented varieties and bold colors. The hibiscus require room to grow in both height and width, with some full-sized varieties reaching up to five feet in height and forming an impressive circumference if not trimmed back.

A good low-maintenance choice for consuming space and deterring weeds, hibiscus growers should be aware of the plant’s comparative slow-growing nature. They prefer zones four through nine, requiring warm or moderate climates to flourish.

Abelias

Long-stemmed abelias produce strongly-scented flower blossoms and glossy green leaves during the spring and summer season. Thin and flexible stems spread quickly to form a large shrub that occupies significant space and keeps weed growth beneath to a minimum. They flourish best in zones five through nine.

Encouraged by modest sunlight exposure and warmer climates, hardy abelias may need minimal pruning to improve the plant’s health, but most varieties do well when left on their own to spread. Like forsythia and quince, foliage dies back in the winter, leaving bare stems.

Shrubs and bushes not only fill up space, they also offer beauty and color to the landscape with their unique qualities. Blossoms that attract butterflies, thick foliage that deters weeds, decorative berries for holiday projects: these are just a few of the unique features provided by low-maintenance shrubbery.

Resources:

Gossler, Eric. The Gossler Guide to the Best Hardy Shrubs: More than 350 Expert Choices for Your Garden. Timber Press, 2009.