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Workhorse Shrubs that Wow

Limelight Hydrangea Tree

Sometimes you need a ringer. A plant that looks good throughout the seasons without a lot of fuss; something tough but good looking; something adaptable and reliable. You need a workhorse shrub. Fortunately, finding a shrub that works hard in the landscape isn’t as hard as you might think. Here are some of our favorite tried and true workhorse shrubs:

Hydrangea

Classic for a reason, hydrangeas have huge showy flowers and are the time-honored bastions of curb appeal. Once they’re established, many hydrangeas require very little maintenance beyond pruning and they’ll perform amazingly year after year. Planting the right hydrangea for your site is key to getting the most out of these amazing plants.

In a full sun site, panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) are the best choice. These stunners usually have large cone or football shaped blooms atop a sturdy frame and can take the heat of the full summer sun. Some feature a mounded habit while some have a more upright habit. There are many varieties available from more compact to large and in charge. Panicle hydrangeas are fairly forgiving of dry soil once established.

For a partial sun site, smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) are a perfect choice. Foundation plantings and garden beds with established trees overhead are excellent places for smooth hydrangeas, which will wow for months in summer with big round blooms. Deep shade and skipping pruning for too many years might lead to some flopping, so make sure there’s some sun throughout the day and a spring pruning for best habit. Though overall low-maintenance, smooth hydrangeas will appreciate some extra water during dry periods.     

Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea

Potentilla

These little performers blend into any landscape with ease. Compact, low-maintenance, and covered with dainty flowers throughout the season, potentillas make nice filler and are effective mass plantings where you need some cheery color. The long lasting blooms come in many colors including white, yellow, orange, and pink. Great on their own, mixed in with perennials, and in front of larger shrubs and trees.

With occasional pruning to tidy and remove old wood, this shrub will pull its weight with very little effort. Potentilla does best in full sun and well drained soil. Choosing the appropriate site is the most important thing you can do to get the best performance out of this plant.

Ninebark

If you want something a little different, ninebark has a lot to offer. Interesting bark, colorful foliage, minimal maintenance needs, and cute flowers are on the menu when you plant a ninebark. These shrubs are a great choice where you’d like a bit more show without a lot of extra work. In fact, the beautiful natural shape of this shrub is best showcased with minimal pruning, so it’s perfect for the low maintenance gardener.

Amber Jubilee Ninebark Tree
First Editions Amber Jubilee Ninebark

Many ninebark are medium to large shrubs, so they’re great in larger beds, foundation plantings, and as specimens. More compact varieties are becoming available though, so gardeners with limited space can still reap the benefits of ninebark. Some varieties feature deep purple (check out Summer Wine and Fireside) or orange kissed (Amber Jubilee) foliage for incredible color throughout the season. Plant ninebark in a location with good airflow and good sun exposure for best health and vigor. Perfectly happy in average soil.

Aronia

Also known as chokeberry, this shrub works hard throughout the seasons. White flowers cover the plant in late spring followed by glossy green summer foliage. Later on, deep purple edible berries dangle charmingly from the plants and are followed by great fall color. With so many attributes, it’s easy to see why aronia is such a hard working shrub.

In addition to the aesthetic value, chokeberry will tolerate sun or part shade, making it a valuable option throughout the garden. They also tolerate many soil conditions once established, and are generally adaptable, trouble free plants. There are a variety of sizes of aronia available, from the low growing Low Scape Mound to several larger options like Autumn Magic. 

Low Scape Mound Aronia
Low Scape Mound Chokeberry

Bush Honeysuckle

If you need a plant with unbelievable adaptability, this native shrub is at the very top of the list. Sun or shade, many soil types, standalone or in a mixed planting, bush honeysuckle will perform. While the tubular yellow flowers aren’t extremely showy, they’re beloved by pollinators, and the foliage makes up for it with pleasant color throughout the summer and an excellent fall show.

The straight species (Diervilla lonicera) is a vigorous grower and an excellent choice for slopes and erosion control. For a bit more color with a more restrained growth habit, cultivars like Kodiak Orange and Cool Splash are awesome choices. Bush honeysuckle is gorgeous in naturalistic plantings as well as more formal plantings. Great for yards with winter rabbit pressure, since bush honeysuckle will grow back vigorously even if it’s eaten all the way to the ground.

Fall Foliage Color on Kodiak Orange Honeysuckle

Get them Off to the Right Start

Though many of these wonderful workhorses are fairly independent when they’re mature, make sure to get them established with consistent watering and care in the first few years. With some attention early on, you’ll be rewarded with the beauty and reliability that make these workhorse shrubs so special for years to come. We’re here to help if you have questions, and we have an easy to follow watering and planting guide. Happy planting!