When you need a little extra pop in your landscape, small shrubs are a great option. They are excellent for mixed plantings, defining borders, edging sidewalks, and creating beautiful low maintenance mass plantings that won’t overwhelm smaller landscapes. As an added bonus, smaller shrubs don’t usually need much pruning, so you have more time to sit back and enjoy.

Lil Ditty Viburnum

This compact Viburnum has a lot to offer. Lil Ditty grows to about two feet tall and wide and has a tidy mounded habit. The glossy green foliage is adorned by white, flat-topped flowers early in the season that give way to cute blue fruit. At the end of the season, Lil Ditty turns a beautiful shade of red. This shrub stays neat and tidy without a lot of pruning or maintenance, so sit back and enjoy! Plant in full to part sun.

Low Scape Mound Aronia

Another charming choice, Low Scape Mound Aronia is great for compact spaces. This shrub grows to a foot to 2 feet tall and about 2 feet wide and makes an excellent groundcover. Abundant, dainty white spring flowers are followed by deep purple to black fruit that can be used for jam or jelly. Low Scape Mound has excellent red fall color and requires little in the way of additional care. Tolerates some shade, too!

Bobo Hydrangea

This cute little hydrangea is great for places that need the blooming power of a hydrangea but aren’t big enough for a larger variety. Bobo features tons of flowers that start a crisp white and eventually turn a dusty pink that blends well with fall colors. Try using it as a striking low hedge- it’s especially nice when planted en masse. Bobo is easy care and stays compact without a lot of pruning. As an added bonus, panicle hydrangeas like Bobo are tough and hardy, so you can feel confident planting them and enjoying the show.

Magic Carpet Spirea

This compact spirea can add zest to just about any planting. Magic Carpet grows to about 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide and features multiple seasons of interest. Spring growth is a charming red that matures to golden yellow through the summer. Pink flowers top the golden foliage until fall when a beautiful russet color steals the show. Great choice for adding brightness to dark areas and emphasizing borders and bedlines. Tolerates some shade but will tend toward green. Best golden color in full sun.

Spilled Wine Weigela

Spilled Wine offers all the show of a larger weigela in a 2 to 3 foot package. The lovely dark purple foliage is brilliantly contrasted with bright pink flowers that practically drip from the branches. Gorgeous in foundation plantings, mixed plantings, and en masse. Spilled Wine shouldn’t need much pruning, but if you need to shape this shrub, do so immediately after blooming. Full sun will ensure the most floriferous display.