Want to make your yard look amazing but not sure which plants to pick? Trust me, I’ve been there!
After lots of plant shopping (and some total fails), I’ve found these perfect shrubs that look great and are super easy to grow.
Best Shrubs for Landscaping: 26 Garden Favorites
1. Yunus
I absolutely love how versatile this little beauty is! In my front yard, it serves as a gorgeous ground cover, while in the backyard, it climbs gracefully up my pergola.
The large glossy leaves with their distinctive light green veins create such a lush backdrop. While its greenish-yellow flowers aren’t showstoppers, I’ve found them to be a subtle complement to my more dramatic plants.
2. Flowering Quince
This is my go-to shrub for adding early color to the garden. You wouldn’t believe how excited I get when these beauties burst into bloom, sometimes even in midwinter!
I’ve planted several varieties in shades of red, pink, and white along my fence line. The best part? The deer and rabbits that frequent my yard completely leave them alone!
3. Forsythia
I’ll never forget the first spring my forsythia bloomed – those brilliant yellow flowers literally stopped traffic on our street! It’s become my reliable harbinger of spring.
The fast growth can be a bit overwhelming, but I’ve learned that regular pruning keeps it looking picture-perfect. Mine thrives in my clay soil, which was such a relief to discover!
4. Fringe Flower
These unique spider-like blooms add such whimsy to my garden! Being part of the witch hazel family, they’re quite the conversation starter at garden parties.
I’ve placed mine where its purplish-red leaves create a stunning backdrop for my lighter-colored plants. The multiple blooming periods are like getting bonus flowers throughout the season!
5. Fuchia
These showstoppers have become the centerpiece of my shaded patio area. The pendulous flowers dancing in the breeze never fail to catch my eye.
I learned the hard way about their temperature sensitivity – now I make sure to protect them when temps dip below 50°F. The constant visits from hummingbirds make any extra care totally worth it!
6. Gardinia
Oh, the fragrance! I planted these near our bedroom window, and the sweet scent drifting in during summer evenings is absolutely heavenly.
After some trial and error with soil pH, I finally got it right (between 5.0-6.0), and now they’re thriving. The yellow fruits that follow the blooms are an unexpected bonus.
7. Hardy Hibiscus
This was my solution for that perpetually soggy corner of the yard! The massive flowers make such a bold statement in my garden.
I’ve found that giving them rich soil and good air circulation is key to success. My white and rose varieties create the most gorgeous summer display.
8. Honeysuckle
Talk about a rewarding plant! My honeysuckle provides almost year-round interest, blooming from fall through spring.
The mix of orange, yellow, and red blooms creates such a cheerful display. Once established, it’s become one of my most carefree plants, hardly needing any extra water or fertilizer.
9. Hydrangea
These beauties are the backbone of my summer garden. The large, 7-inch cone-shaped panicles start pure white and gradually develop the most beautiful tan and brown tones.
I keep them well away from my kids’ play area since they’re toxic if eaten. The panicle varieties I planted in full sun are absolutely thriving!
10. Indian Hawthorn
The delicate pink and white flowers on this shrub remind me of tiny ballet dancers. Every spring, they put on the most enchanting performance.
I love how the dark blueberries follow the flowers, creating year-round interest. Just one annual pruning and fertilizing session keeps them looking their best.
11. Japanese Dogwood
Those star-shaped flowers absolutely stole my heart! The mix of pink, red, and white blooms creates such a magical display in my garden.
I’ve started making jelly from the berries – a family tradition my kids now look forward to every fall. Just remember to stay on top of berry cleanup to keep things tidy.
12. Japanese Rose
This was my perfect solution for that tricky shaded area where nothing else would grow! The rich yellow-gold flowers brighten up even the darkest corners.
I opted for the double-flower variety, and it’s like having little golden suns scattered throughout the shade garden. The fast growth quickly filled in that bare spot I’d been struggling with.
13. Korean Spice Viburnum
The fragrance of this shrub takes me right back to my grandmother’s garden. Those pink buds opening to white flowers create the most wonderful spring display.
I’ve found it to be incredibly forgiving in our regular garden soil. Even during our worst drought, it only needed weekly watering to keep blooming.
14. Lavatera
The funnel-shaped flowers in shades from pale lavender to deep purple add such romance to my garden borders. It’s like having a summer sunset in flower form!
Though it only lives about 5 years, I think that makes it even more special. Mine thrives in our sandy soil, creating the perfect screen for my meditation corner.
15. Mahonia
The double buttercup-like yellow flowers brighten up my winter garden from January through April. Such a treat during those gray months!
My kids love snacking on the berries (after I carefully taught them which ones were safe). A light pruning and summer mulching keep it looking pristine.
16. Meadowsweet
These tiny creamy white flowers in dense clusters remind me of delicate lace. I planted them near our small pond, and they couldn’t be happier!
The natural meadow appearance adds such a romantic touch to our landscape. Plus, the butterflies and birds it attracts bring endless entertainment.
17. Mountain Laurel
Those intricate bell-shaped flower clusters never fail to amaze me. I planted mine in a woodland garden setting, and it’s absolutely thriving in the dappled shade.
The spring-to-early-summer blooms in pink, white, and red create such a gorgeous display. It’s become my go-to shrub for difficult shady spots.
18. Ninebark
I love how this shrub offers year-round interest – from white spring flowers to red summer fruit, and that fascinating peeling bark in winter.
It’s been perfect for that sloping area where erosion was a problem. I just remove old wood occasionally, and it keeps its shape beautifully.
19. Philadelphus (Mock Orange)
The heavenly orange blossom scent of these flowers makes my evening garden walks pure magic. Those bright yellow centers against the white petals are simply stunning.
I often cut sprigs to bring indoors – they last for days in a vase! The loamy soil in my garden seems to be exactly what they love.
20. Privet
This has become my go-to solution for privacy screening. The dense foliage creates the perfect natural fence between properties.
Those small white summer flowers are an unexpected bonus. I’ve found that once established, it’s one of the most low-maintenance plants in my garden.
21. Purple Flowering Raspberry
This unique shrub gives me the best of both worlds – gorgeous purple blooms AND delicious berries! It’s become a family favorite in our edible landscape.
The birds absolutely adore it, which adds such life to our garden. Just make sure to give it consistently moist, well-draining soil.
22. Rock Rose
Talk about tough love! This resilient beauty handles everything Mother Nature throws at it. The paper-like flowers in various colors are simply charming.
I’m amazed how each morning brings fresh blooms throughout the season. It’s perfect for those challenging spots where other plants struggle.
23. Rosemary
Not just for cooking! This aromatic shrub adds both beauty and function to my herb garden. Those tiny blue flowers are such a lovely surprise.
Regular trimming keeps it compact and encourages fresh growth. Plus, having fresh rosemary just steps from my kitchen door is a cook’s dream!
24. Rose of Sharon
The tropical-looking flowers make me feel like I’m on vacation right in my own backyard! The long blooming season from summer to fall is incredible.
It’s thrived in our less-than-perfect soil conditions. Just keep an eye out for volunteers – this enthusiastic self-seeder loves to share!
25. Smoke Bush
This dramatic plant is definitely the conversation starter in my garden! Those cloud-like plumes in purple and pink create such an ethereal effect.
The fall foliage puts on an amazing show in orange and yellow. I’ve planted it away from high-traffic areas due to the toxic sap, but it’s worth finding the right spot for this showstopper.
26. Weigela (Bonus Plant)
My absolute favorite for attracting hummingbirds! Those tubular flowers are like tiny nectar restaurants for our flying friends.
The dense foliage provides excellent privacy while the continuous blooms offer endless color. In my acidic, moist soil, it’s become one of the most reliable performers in the garden.