With the onset of spring, people begin to think about how to decorate the space around them. Therefore, on the streets, in gardens and in summer cottages, they plant decorative flowering shrubs. There are a considerable number of their varieties. About the most popular of them read in this article.
How to choose?
There are several nuances in choosing a decorative shrub. Firstly, this is how it fits into the surrounding space. In order for the site to look neat, you need to pay attention to the shade of the flowers, their shape and, possibly, the aroma. If you give preference to any one plant is difficult, you can create a whole composition. In it, flowering shrubs will constantly change.
How successful the composition will be depends on the height and shape of the stems. Too wide and low plants are not suitable for a small area. On the contrary, in this case it would be better to plant tall and compact cultures.
When choosing flowering shrubs for a garden or other place, you also need to think about how much energy you are willing to invest in caring for the plant. Check out comfortable conditions for him. You should not expect a shade-loving shrub to bloom in brightly lit areas.
Hardy species
Plants that can easily endure winter include:
- Lilac is a shrub reaching a height of several meters. If you trim it, you can get an interesting composition.
- Spirea is another tall plant whose branches are very spreading. White flowers appear throughout the spirea.
- Hydrangea is a shrub with lush and large inflorescences. In dire need of pruning. It should be carried out twice a year.
- Buddley is a rather rare plant that blooms from summer to mid-autumn. As in the case of lilacs, it can be given the desired shape.
Shade tolerant species
An important criterion by which to choose flowering perennial shrubs is their attitude to light and shadow. If the plant is resistant to shade, it can be planted near buildings, hiding unsightly places on the site.
- Action. The flowering period of this shrub begins in the spring. The compact plant is decorated with pinkish flowers. The shape of its crown can be adjusted.
- Wisteria can reach a height of several meters. Small lilac flowers emit a pleasant aroma.
- Weigela is a stunted shrub that blooms for a very long time: from mid-spring until frost.
All the plants mentioned above are winter hardy. So that they survive the cold season in comfort, they should be insulated with the help of spruce branches.
Fast growing flowering shrubs
The flowers that appear on these plants are ideal for creating hedges.
- Dogwood is a representative of the flora, which not only has a decorative function, but also gives edible fruits. Its height can be 5 meters. Since it is very spreading, you need to regularly trim it and adjust the shape of the crown.
- The turn is another fruiting shrub that develops quite quickly. In height, it reaches about 3 meters. A pleasant almond aroma comes from the flowers.
- Barberry is a plant that resembles a thick impenetrable wall. Therefore, you should regularly prune the overgrown branches and give the bush a shape.
Fruit species
These plants give edible fruits. They not only decorate the site, but also bring health benefits. However, they grow slowly.
- Honeysuckle is a tall shrub whose shape can be adjusted. However, pruning is carried out only 5-7 years after planting, since the growth process is very long.
- Kalina also reaches a great height. Flowering occurs in the warm season, but the fruits remain on the branches until the first frost.
- Raspberries and blackberries are self-pollinated fruit crops that are distinguished by splendor. They take up a lot of space, so you need to thin out these perennial flowering shrubs regularly.
- Gooseberries are a very unpretentious plant. In the process of caring for it, there are only two pitfalls. Firstly, the culture does not tolerate frosts. Secondly, you can not water it too often and plentifully.
So, here are the most popular types of flowering shrubs. Next, we will talk about those cultures that are most preferred.
Lilac
This delicate plant can be found, perhaps, in almost any city in Russia. As for world traditions, lilacs are not valued everywhere: in England, for example, bad omens are associated with it. However, for many of us, this shrub symbolizes spring and the month of May.
Beautiful flowering shrubs of lilacs have gained popularity for a reason. Firstly, their color varies greatly. Flowers can be white or purple. The palette is very rich: from delicate bluish-purple to bold purple. The plant is quite tall, can compare with many trees.
The shrub is characterized by good frost resistance. He is unpretentious, so caring for him is not difficult. However, you need to make sure that it grows in a sunny place. The flowering period occurs at the end of spring and the beginning of summer. On average, it is two months - May and June.
Dogrose
Flowering rosehip bushes are distinguished by their diversity. There are so many species of this plant that it is difficult to give preference to any one. Some varieties have a medicinal effect, and with the help of others you can create whole arches, because they curl along the supports. Rosehip is a shrub that not only blooms, but also bears fruit. Its fruits are widely used as a folk remedy.
Flowers can have a color from pale pink to purple. The fruits are edible. The shrub is not tall, its branches are very prickly. The plant does not differ in increased frost resistance, so some varieties must be sheltered for the winter.
Hydrangea
This decorative garden shrub blooms late in late summer or early fall. Inflorescences are bright and lush. They can be painted in white, pink or blue. The plant is completely not frost-resistant, which means that it needs to be covered for the winter. It also loves moisture, so in the hot season, you need to regularly water it.
Viburnum
This native Russian bush is associated with a large number of folk traditions. So, since ancient times, he was considered a symbol of girlish beauty and innocence. Guelder-rose gained distribution not only because of magnificent blossoming, but also because of berries. The fruits are colored red, they have a good taste. Moreover, they can be used as a means of traditional medicine. Coming in contrast with lush white flowers, they create a very picturesque picture.
Winter-hardy flowering shrubs, such as viburnum, grow in harsh climates. This is another reason why they are so often planted in Siberian and Far Eastern cities. The plant blooms in May and June.
Mocker
Outwardly, this shrub resembles jasmine, for which the people nicknamed it. It has a strong characteristic odor. However, these plants are completely different. The noun “mocker” comes from the word “mocker”. The fact is that in ancient times chubuki for pipes were made from this shrub.
The plant has large white or cream flowers that appear in the midst of summer. This period falls on months such as June and July. Chubushnik unpretentious. He feels comfortable on different grounds. It is undemanding to lighting. However, there are varieties that are not suitable for central Russia, since they are not frost-resistant.
Spirea
Despite the fact that the varieties of this shrub can be both spring and summer blooming, with proper care, you can achieve long-term flowering. This plant is characterized by good frost resistance and unpretentiousness. It can be planted in the city. Shrubs blooming all summer decorate the surrounding area throughout the entire warm season. Spring varieties are pleasing to the eye only in April and May. Small flowers are collected in clusters of white or pink shades.
Rhododendron
This plant is a close relative of room azalea. Some of its varieties are evergreen, that is, their leaves retain their color throughout the winter and do not crumble. It can grow in central Russia, but it will require special care.
Just look at the photos of flowering shrubs: rhododendrons are very beautiful. Large flowers are painted in the brightest shades: orange, purple, yellow, red, pink, lilac and white. The flowering period falls on May and June, but in some varieties it repeats in the fall.
There are a large number of varieties of rhododendron. Some of them can reach several meters in height, while others are called "dwarf". However, all, absolutely all varieties of this plant are not frost-resistant. They love wet places. They are best planted in the shade.
Honeysuckle
This perennial shrub is simultaneously decorative and fruitful. Berries appear early, but they have a bitter taste. It should be noted that not all varieties of honeysuckle produce edible fruits. Some of them are grown only for decorative purposes.
Flowers that appear in May or June can be painted in white, blue, yellow or pink. Depending on the variety, the plant can be medium-tall or reach a height of several meters. These flowering shrubs tolerate winter well. Caring for them is not too complicated.
Heather
This plant is known for many legends. It occupies a special place in British culture. According to legend, only heather agreed to grow on the hillsides covered with stones. For this, the gods awarded him beautiful flowers, and also gave him a honey plant.
Flowering heather bushes delight with their beauty. In late summer and early fall, they are covered with white and pink flowers. Heather honey is usually cooked at the same time. The plant spreads on the ground. It feels comfortable on stony ground. The shrub is unpretentious. It should be noted that in poorly lit places the flowers turn pale.
Forsythia, or Forsythia
The name of the flowering shrubs of this variety sounds unusual. However, it perfectly suits the plant, because the culture has a bright and memorable appearance. In many European cities, it is considered a symbol of early spring. The fact is that it begins to bloom before all the trees and shrubs. She was the first to paint the streets in bright colors. First, yellow flowers appear, and only after that they are replaced by green leaves. In the fall, they turn purple.
The plant blooms in March – April. It can tolerate frosty winters if there is a lot of snow. This unpretentious shrub can be planted even on city lawns.
Basic care principles
Both annual and perennial flowering shrubs require some care. Here are the basic principles that must be followed so that the plant pleases the eye and does not hurt:
- Planting plants is best in the fall. At the same time of the year they are usually moved to another place. It is very important to do this on time, as the shrub needs to adapt to new conditions and take root before the first frost sets in.
- It is necessary to clean the soil from weeds, as well as dig it.
- The recesses into which the plant will be placed need to be done a little more than is required at the moment so that the bush can straighten the grown roots.
- Peat mixed with fertilizer or compost should be placed at the bottom of the hole. Such top dressing will benefit the plant.
- If you prefer a spreading variety that will need garters in the future, install a support in the center of the landing in advance.
- Be sure to observe the necessary distances between the plants that you plant.
- Water the shrub regularly. Immediately after planting, it is possible (but not always necessary) to mulch the soil.
Preparing for the winter
Perennial shrubs that bloom all summer may not survive the winter if they are not prepared for it. So, before the first frosts, you need to prune the plants, clean the soil, add fertilizing to it, and also treat the shrubs with pests.
When pruning, get rid of damaged branches, remove weak shoots. All sections must be carefully treated with garden var. Branches that have been cut can be burned.
The soil is cleaned as follows: utilize the cut branches to leave room for fallen leaves. They will subsequently become a good fertilizer. If there are diseased or pest-affected plants on the site, then you need to get rid of the foliage. Mineral fertilizers are most often used as top dressing. They are simply brought under the culture.
What measures can be taken to protect shrubs from pests? To do this, you need to purchase kraft paper. She should wrap the trunk of the plant. Above they put a spruce branch. You can also use a special safety net, which is sold in hardware stores.