There are so many beautiful deciduous flowering shrubs out there, that I’m going to focus on 10 that have other interests or uses, than just flowers. Deciduous shrubs are usually pretty hardy and can take what the weather throws at them. Unlike broadleaved evergreens they aren’t effected by winter burn, producing no leaves until the warmer spring weather. Most thrive in fertile well-drained soils, exposure to sun or shade depends on the plant, but those with fall color should have some afternoon sun to produce the best color. Pruning can be done in spring, fall or after flowering depending on the type of shrub. Heavy pruning every year can effect flower production for the following year, so check first if the shrub produces flowers on old or new wood. Some like Spireas can be pruned to almost ground level when they become sparse on the bottom and will bounce back in no time. When a deciduous shrub fails its usually because of waterlogged soil in winter, this can cause root rot so be careful when picking a site.
1# Berberis ‘Rose glow’ Berberis thunbergii: Thorny, rounded form with arching branches, mature size around 4′ x 4′. Tiny clusters of yellow flowers in spring, followed by small red berries. The spring purple foliage is splashed with pink and white by summer. While not particularly showy flowers, it’s the foliage color, drought tolerance and deer resistant’s that makes this shrub a good choice. Suitable as a specimen shrub, rockery or low hedge. Needs well-drained soil in full sun and can be pruned anytime.
2# Enkianthus ‘Red Bells’ Enkianthus campanulates: Upright shrub with tiered form and whorled branches, bell-shaped creamy-yellow flowers with reddish-pink veins, blooms in late spring. Fall color brilliant yellow, orange and red. This under-rated shrub is slow growing and matures to about 8′-12′ tall x 4′-6′ wide. Sun or filtered shade in fertile moist but well-drained soil and needs little or no pruning.
3# Forthergilla ‘Mount Airy’ Fothergilla major: Rounded shrub with green foliage and attractive fragrant white bottlebrush-like flowers. Showy yellow, orange and red fall color, mature size 3′-5′ tall x wide. A nice smaller specimen shrub or low hedge. Sun or light shade in fertile well-drained soil and needs minimal pruning. ‘Blue Shadow’ is another nice cultivar with bluish-green foliage but grows taller than Mount Airy.
4# Hibiscus ‘Blue Chiffon’ Hibiscus syriacus: A vigorous, hardy and easy to grow Hibiscus. Very showy large blue flowers with lacy centers. Blooms in late summer and is suitable as a specimen shrub, container or hedge. Prune in late fall or early spring if needed. Grow in full sun or light shade in fertile well-drained soil.
5# Hydrangea ‘Pia’ Hydrangea macrophyllia: A true dwarf hydrangea reaching only 2′ tall x 3′ wide. Rounded shrub with pink to purple mophead flowers depending on soil acidity, blooms in summer. Attractive glossy green foliage and suitable for borders edge or containers. Flowers are produced on old wood so light pruning in early spring if needed, heavy pruning will effect quantity of flowers for the following year. Hydrangeas can be grown in some afternoon sun if watered regularly in summer.
6# Lilac ‘Miss Kim’ Syringa patula: Compact smaller lilac with very fragrant pale lavender flowers, blooms in late spring. Dark green foliage turns a deep purple in fall. While the flowers maybe smaller than other types of lilacs, its hardiness, fragrance, fall color and resistance to disease makes this one a winner. Suitable as a specimen shrub, container or screen. Best in full sun and fertile well-drained soil, prune after flowering if needed.
7# Lilac ‘Royalty’ Syringa x prestoniae: Upright multi-stemmed form, around 8′ tall x 6′ wide. Showy lightly scented violet-purple flowers, blooms in late spring. What makes this lilac stand out from the rest is its hardiness, non suckering habit and tolerance of urban pollution. Plant in full sun, any well-drained soil, needs little or no pruning
8# Spirea ‘Firelight’ Spiraea japonica: Dwarf rounded shrub, about 2′-3′ tall x 2′-3′ wide with colorful foliage. Spring foliage bright orange turning golden, summer yellow & green, turning scarlet in fall with pink flowers in summer. A hardy specimen shrub, suitable for large rockery or low hedge. Full sun or part shade, well-drained soil and can be pruned in spring, fall or after flowering.
9# Spirea ‘Snowmound’ Spiraea nipponica: Rounded compact shrub with arching branches. Attractive dense dark green foliage with nice fall color. Masses of white flowers along branch length. This stunning, hardy, fast growing shrub makes an attractive specimen, hedge or screen. Full sun or part shade, well-drained soil, grows around 4′-5′ tall x 5′ wide. Doesn’t need pruning ever
year, but can be cut back hard if needed.
10# Witch Hazel ‘Jelena’ Hamamelis X intermedia: Large vase-shaped form, 8′-12′ tall x wide. Beautiful lightly fragrant, copper-orange flowers in late winter to early spring, produced before foliage. Stunning Yellow, orange and red fall color. Suitable as specimen shrub or screen. Full sun or light shade, fertile moist but well-drained soil. Prune in spring if needed to maintain form and size.
