Some of the Prettiest Shrubs: Care, Pruning and Planting

by Three Dogs in a Garden

This post features tips on planting, caring for and pruning some of the prettiest shrubs.

Double Flowering Almond

some of the prettiest shrubs care pruning and planting, flowers, gardening, how to

Double Flowering Almond, Prunus triloba:

Is a member of the Rosaceae family and is actually a small deciduous tree. It has a vase shape and double pink flowers in early spring. Note: branches are good for forcing indoors.

Height: up to 12' Spread: 12' USDA Zones: 4-8

Planting:

Double Flowering Almonds can be planted in a range of soils in sun, part-shade and shade. (Mine is in part-shade.)

Care and Pruning:

Borers can be a problem, so keep your tree healthy and strong to resist attack from these pests. Make sure your Double Flowering Almond has a regular application of some fertilizer and is watered during periods of extended drought. Other pests and problems include Black knot which can cause black swelling of the branches. Foliage is susceptible to powdery mildew, so locate your tree in a area with good air circulation. Do any pruning after your shrub flowers in late spring.

Dwarf Fothergilla: A big reason this shrub makes it onto my list of favourites is that it provides 3 seasons of interest: white bottle-brush blooms in spring, green leaves in summer and orange leaves in fall. And it's also fragrant. Height: 2-6' depending on the cultivar. Spread: 4'-6'. USDA Zones: 5-8

Planting:

Plant a Dwarf Fothergilla in early spring in moist, well-drained slightly acidic soil. Sun or light shade.

Pruning & Care:

Prune primarily to maintain a nice shape after it flowers in spring.

Weigela: is a classic shrub. My Mom had an old fashioned pink Weigela that was as dependable as you could ever wish for. The height may vary according to the cultivar you chose. Some Weigela can reach as high as 10' and spread about the same. They like full sun and will grow in a range of soil types, but like so many plants, they prefer well-drained conditions. Prune them after they flower in spring. USDA Zones: 4-8.

Potentilla: Like Spirea, Potentilla have a bad rap from their overuse in commercial landscaping, where they can look a bit dusty and forlorn. One of the reasons they are used in this type of setting is because they are tough as old boots. They can handle heat, drought and poor soil.

I have a white Potentilla and it is just the loveliest shrub. It starts blooming in June and continues to bloom into early fall. Think past the familiar yellow potentilla you see everywhere because, they also come in: white, pink, orange and red. Potentilla like poor soil and full sun. They flower on new wood, so I prune mine after the first flush of flowers in spring. Height and spread depend on the cultivar. My white Potentilla is about 3.5' x 4' and is vase shaped. USDA Zones: 2-7.

Beauty Bush, Kolkwitzia: This is a really pretty shrub. A Beauty Bush has a fountain shape with branches that hang in long, sweeping arcs. Height: 8-10', Spread: 8-10' USDA Zones: 5-9.

Planting:

Plant a Beauty Bush in full sun in average garden soil.

Pruning and Care:

A Beauty Bush has no major pests or diseases. This shrub blooms on old wood so prune in spring after it flowers. Cut old canes to the ground to renew the shrub.

Rose of Sharon, Althea

Despite being a magnet for Japanese Beetles, I can't imagine being without a Rose of Sharon. They begin to flower in the heat of summer long after most other shrubs have packed it in.

Flower colors include blue, pink, lavender, and white. Bees and hummingbirds love Rose of Sharon. One drawback is their tendency to self-seed prolifically.

Height: 8'-12', Spread: 6'-12'. USDA Zones: 5-11

Planting:

Plant them in rich, well-drained soil in sun or very light shade. Rose of Sharon like the soil to be somewhat moist. Too little water may cause buds to drop.

Pruning & Care:

Add a layer of compost in spring and cover it with mulch to help the soil retain its moisture. Water your Rose of Sharon if there is less than an inch of rainfall in a given week. Rose of Sharon shouldn't require much pruning. They flower on the current year's growth, so prune for shape in early spring before leaf buds open.

Deutzia x lemoinei 'Compacta': has an upright habit and white flowers in spring. Plant it in sun to part-shade in average garden soil. It likes growing conditions to be on the moist side. Height: 4-6', Spread: the same. USDA Zones: 4-8. No serious diseases or problems. Prune in spring after flowering.

Hydrangea 'Little Lime': One of the things I like about this hydrangea is its compact size. Height: 36-60 inches, Spread: 36-60 inches. The flowers begin as white with a touch of lime and then mature into a more rosy color. Plant in sun to light shade. Prune in late winter/early spring.