With the onset of spring, people begin to think about how to decorate the space around them. Therefore, on the streets, in gardens and at dachas, they plant decorative flowering shrubs. There are many varieties of them. Read about the most popular of them in this article.
How to choose?
There are several nuances in choosing an ornamental shrub. Firstly, this is how it will fit 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 it is difficult to give preference to one plant, you can create a whole composition. In it, the flowering of shrubs will constantly change.
How successful the composition will turn out 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 crops.
When choosing flowering shrubs for a garden or other space, you must also think about how much effort you are willing to invest inplant care. Familiarize yourself with the conditions that are comfortable for him. Don't expect a shade-loving shrub to bloom in brightly lit areas.
Winter-hardy species
Plants that can safely endure the winter include:
- Lilac is a shrub that reaches a height of several meters. If you trim it, you can get an interesting composition.
- Spirea is another tall plant with very spreading branches. White flowers appear throughout the spirea.
- Hydrangea is a shrub with lush and large inflorescences. In dire need of pruning. It should be done twice a year.
- Buddleya is a fairly rare plant that blooms from summer to mid-autumn. As in the case of lilac, it can be given the desired shape.
Shade-tolerant species
An important criterion by which you need to choose flowering perennial shrubs, – is their attitude to light and shade. If the plant is shade tolerant, it can be planted near buildings, hiding unsightly spots in the yard.
- 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 corrected.
- Wisteria can reach a height of several meters. A pleasant aroma emanates from medium-sized lilac flowers.
- Weigela is a low-growing shrub that blooms for a very long time: from mid-spring until frost.
All the plants mentioned above are hardy. So that they survive the cold season in comfort,they should be insulated with spruce branches.
Fast growing flowering shrubs
The flowers that appear on these plants are perfect for making hedges.
- Kizil is a representative of the flora, which not only has a decorative function, but also produces 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.
- Turn is another fruit-bearing shrub that develops quite quickly. It reaches a height of about 3 meters. A pleasant almond scent emanates from the flowers.
- Barberry is a plant that resembles a thick impenetrable wall. Therefore, overgrown branches should be regularly trimmed and the shrub shaped.
Fruit Species
These plants produce edible fruits. They not only decorate the site, but also bring he alth 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, as the growth process is very long.
- Kalina also reaches great heights. Flowering occurs in the warm season, but the fruits remain on the branches until the first frost.
- Raspberries and blackberries are self-pollinating fruit crops that are lush. They take up a lot of space, so these perennial flowering shrubs need to be thinned out regularly.
- Gooseberry is a very unpretentious plant. In the process of caringit has only two pitfalls. Firstly, the culture does not tolerate frost. Secondly, you can not water it too often and abundantly.
So, here are the most popular types of flowering shrubs. The following will talk about those cultures that are given the greatest preference.
Lilac
This delicate plant can be found, perhaps, in almost any city in Russia. As for world traditions, lilac is 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 lilac shrubs have gained popularity for a reason. First, their coloration varies greatly. Flowers can be white or purple. The palette is very rich: from delicate bluish-lilac to bold purple. The plant is quite tall, can be compared with many trees.
The shrub has 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 is in late spring and early summer. On average, it is two months - May and June.
Rosehip
Blossoming rosehip shrubs are distinguished by their diversity. There are so many types of this plant that it is difficult to give preference to any one. Some varieties have a medicinal effect, while others can create entire arches, because they curl along the supports. Rosehip is a shrub that not onlyblossoms, but also bears fruit. Its fruits are widely used as a folk remedy.
Flowers can range from soft pink to purple. The fruits are edible. The shrub is low, its branches are very prickly. The plant does not differ in increased frost resistance, so some varieties need to be covered for the winter.
Hydrangea
This ornamental garden shrub blooms late, in late summer or early autumn. Inflorescences are bright and lush. They can be dyed white, pink or blue. The plant is not frost-resistant at all, which means that it needs to be covered for the winter. It also loves moisture, so it needs to be watered regularly during the hot season.
Kalina
This primordial Russian shrub is associated with a large number of folk traditions. So, since ancient times, it was considered a symbol of girlish beauty and innocence. Kalina has become widespread not only because of the lush flowering, but also because of the berries. The fruits are colored red, they have a good taste. Moreover, they can be used as a means of traditional medicine. In contrast with the lush white flowers, they create a very picturesque picture.
Such winter-hardy flowering shrubs as viburnum grow in areas with a harsh climate. This is another reason why they are so often planted on the territory of Siberian and Far Eastern cities. The plant blooms in May and June.
Mock orange
Externally given shrubreminiscent of jasmine, for which the people nicknamed him so. It has a strong characteristic odor. However, these plants are completely different. The noun "chubushnik" comes from the word "chubuk". The fact is that in ancient times, pipes for smoking pipes were made from this shrub.
The plant has large white or cream flowers that appear in midsummer. This period falls on such months as June and July. Chubushnik is unpretentious. He feels comfortable on different grounds. It is undemanding to lighting. However, there are varieties that are not suitable for central Russia, as they are not frost-resistant.
Spirea
Despite the fact that the varieties of this shrub can be both spring and summer flowering, with proper care, you can achieve long-term flowering. This plant is characterized by good frost resistance and unpretentiousness. It can be planted within the city. Shrubs that bloom all summer adorn the surrounding space throughout the 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 the 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 photo of flowering shrubs: rhododendrons are very beautiful. Large flowers are painted in the mostbright shades: orange, purple, yellow, red, pink, lilac and white. The flowering period occurs in 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, 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 both ornamental 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 white, blue, yellow or pink. Depending on the variety, the plant can be medium-sized or reach a height of several meters. These flowering shrubs tolerate winter well. Caring for them is not too difficult.
Heather
This plant is known thanks to many legends. It holds a special place in British culture. According to legend, only heather agreed to grow on the slopes of hills covered with stones. For this, the gods rewarded him with beautiful flowers, and also gave him a honey plant.
Flowering heather shrubs delight with their beauty. In late summer and early autumn, they are covered with white and pink flowers. At the same time, heather honey is usually boiled. The plant creeps alongearth. It feels comfortable on rocky soil. The shrub is unpretentious. It should be noted that in insufficiently lit places, the flowers turn pale.
Forsythia, or forsythia
The name of flowering shrubs of this variety sounds unusual. However, it is perfect for 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 is the first to paint the streets in bright colors. First, yellow flowers appear, and only after that they are replaced by green leaves. They turn purple in autumn.
The plant blooms in March-April. It can endure a frosty winter if there is a lot of snow. This unpretentious shrub can be planted even on city lawns.
Care basics
Both annual and perennial flowering shrubs require some care. Here are the basic principles to follow in order for the plant to please the eye and not hurt:
- Planting plants is best in autumn. At the same time of the year they are usually moved to another place. It is very important to do this in time, as the shrub needs to adapt to new conditions and take root before the first frosts come.
- Be sure to clear the soil of weeds and dig it up.
- The recesses in which the plant will be placed need to be done a little more than currently required in order tothe bush could straighten the grown roots.
- At the bottom of the hole, put peat mixed with fertilizer, or compost. 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 planting center in advance.
- Be sure to respect the required distances between the plants you plant.
- Water the shrub regularly. Immediately after planting, it is possible (but not always necessary) to mulch the soil.
Preparing for wintering
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, fertilize it, and treat the shrubs with pesticides.
When pruning, get rid of damaged branches, remove weak shoots. All sections must be carefully treated with garden pitch. Branches that have been cut can be burned.
The soil is cleaned as follows: cut branches are disposed of to leave room for fallen leaves. They will later 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 introduced under crops.
What measures can be taken to protect shrubs from pests? To do this, you need to purchase kraft paper. It should wrap the stem of the plant. Aboveput a paw. You can also use a special safety net available at hardware stores.
