Lantana — sometimes called shrub verbena — is a semi-tropical and tropical shrub that bears showy, domed clusters of bright-colored flowers. It is fast-growing and flowers last over the summer season. The flowers attract both hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. Lantana is often grown as a summer annual in cold-winter regions. Heavy frosts do serious damage to […] More
Camellia is an evergreen shrub or tree that bears showy single, semi-double, or fully double flowers in shades of white, pink, or red, in late winter or early spring. Camellia produces large rose-like flowers. Camellia sasanqua flowers open in late fall and early winter; Camellia japonica blossoms in late winter and early spring. The lush, […] More
Hydrangeas are grown mainly for their showy flower heads. Hydrangeas are divided into two groups: lace caps and mopheads. Lacecaps have flattened flowerheads with small flowers in the center surrounded by larger flowers around the perimeter. Mopheads have nearly spherical flower heads. Flowers of both can be white, pink, red, lavender, and blue. Hydrangeas are […] More
Jasmine–botanical name Jasminum–is a vining tropical plant that is primarily grown for its clusters of tubular, star-shaped flowers that are often sweetly fragrant. Jasminum commonly has rich, deep green lance-shaped leaflets often with shoots that will twine around supports. Some Jasminum species will grow to 20 feet (6m) in tropical regions. Some species are mounding […] More
Azaleas are grown primarily for their colorful flowers. Bloom colors include yellows and dark reds as well as pinks, purples, and whites. Blooms come in spring but also in midsummer and even fall depending on the variety. Azaleas belong to the rhododendron genus. The rhododendron genus contains more than 900 species of deciduous and evergreen […] More
Abutilon, flowering maple, is a mostly shade-lowing outdoor plant and a handsome house plant. It is content to live indoors all year if the right light is given. Outdoors Abutilon grows best where there is little to no frost in winter. Abutilon has a multitude of flowers shaped like small hollyhocks. Flowers are pendulous, bell- […] More
Gardenia has intensely fragrant, creamy white, waxy summer flowers. Flowers can be single, semi-double, or double white and bloom in succession over a long period. Gardenia is an evergreen shrub with glossy, thick leathery leaves. Gardenia flowers are tubular to funnel-shaped. Flowers each have 5 to 12 spreading [petal lobes. Leaves are opposite or whorled. […] More
Fuchsias are tender shrubs and small trees that bear showy, often pendulous flowers either singly or in clusters. Fuchsia blooms come predominately in shades of pink, purple, and cream, and many bear multicolored blooms. The Fuchsia genus contains about 100 species and literally thousands of hybridized cultivars. Fuchsia are perennials in their native regions of […] More
Foundation plantings are plants–commonly shrubs–planted along or near the foundation of a building intended to hide the barren stretch along the foot of a wall. Foundation plantings were once used to hide cellar windows; the need to mask walls has grown less as home builders have tended to lower house foundations. But the arrangement of […] More
Westringia–commonly called coast rosemary–is a medium-size semi-tropical evergreen shrub that produces tubular, white to pale blue or mauve flowers. Westringia is native to Australia. The narrow, linear foliage is deep green above and pale gray beneath and similar to rosemary foliage. Westringia is highly adapted to coastal or inland regions. Some varieties are mounded and […] More
Romneya–commonly called Matilija poppy–is a large perennial shrub with many basal stems and large, white, crepe-like petaled flowers that can reach 9 inches across. Romneya grows 5 to 8 feet tall; both the stems and foliage are bluish gray-green. Romneya is among the most widely planted western American native plants. The tall stems and striking […] More
Shrubs with showy flowers can bring color to your garden throughout the year. There are shrubs that flower every season. Considering their permanent character and importance to the structure of a garden, why not choose flowering shrubs to add color and interest to your garden. Shrubs can be used for carpeting the ground to clothing […] More
Stephen Albert