Shrubs with small to medium size are good for backyard gardens, because landscaping with these is much easier. Descriptions of few important shrubs are presented in this article.

Planting small shrubs in a garden is recommended for people who are new to gardening. Managing them is much easier than other plants. Moreover, the landscape is given a unique look with the different colors and shades that these plants bring in. One should think about planting shrubs in the early spring as it allows the shrubs to adjust before winter and thus, promotes a healthy growth.

Best Small to Medium Shrubs

Green Mountain Boxwood: This shrub reaches a height of 3 feet. It has the same width as its height. The botanical name of the green mountain boxwood is Buxus sempervirens. Clumping growth habit is the characteristic feature of this plant. The green mountain boxwood grows in hardiness zones ranging from 6-8. This plants takes an oval shape as it grows bigger. The foliage of this plant is bright and showy which makes it appear attractive against the 'bland' winter backdrop. Small flowers are produced in the spring season. Bright to partial shade is considered suitable for growing the green mountain boxwood.

Wintergreen Cotoneaster: The drought tolerant wintergreen cotoneaster grows 3-4 feet in height. It can grow in a variety of soil types. Cotoneaster conspicuous is the botanical name of the winter cotoneaster. Leaves of the wintergreen cotoneaster are small and possess a shiny black shade. Although wintergreen cotoneaster grows in a variety of soil types, the soil need to be well drained. The plant thrives in hardiness zones ranging from 6-7. Bright sunlight is considered to be good for the healthy growth of this plant.

Annabelle: The 12 inch (diameter) flowers produced by Annabelle are their specialty. These flowers are white in color and are produced throughout the summer season. A mature Annabelle plant reaches the height of 4-5 feet. The expanse of this plant can be 3-5 feet. This plant can grow in a variety of soil types and light conditions (brightness).

Shrubs for Landscaping

Plants chosen for a particular setting should grow well in those climatic conditions. It is necessary to maintain enough space between these plants at the time of planting itself. It prevents the landscape from becoming overcrowded.

Bagatelle Barberry: This plant grows up to the height of 1½ feet. It produces foliage that is deep red in color. During the fall, its leaves turn brighter in color. Berberis thunbergii is the botanical name of this shrub.

Regent Serviceberry: The regent serviceberry plant has soft green leaves. It is a flowering plant that grows 4-6 feet high; expanse of the shrub is almost the same as that of its height.

Alpine Current: The Alpine current produces upright branches and a dense growth of leaves. This plant is a dwarf and the foliage produced by Alpine current is dark green in color. During the fall, leaves turn yellow in color.

List of Small Shrubs

Separate tables for small evergreen shrubs and the deciduous ones are given below.

Evergreen Bearberry American Yew Creeping Juniper Bog Rosemary Dwarf Cedar Dwarf Balsam Fir Leucothoe Dwarf Hemlock Lingonberry Leucothoe Siberian Carpet Cypress Sheep Laurel
Deciduous Bristly Locust Cutleaf Stephanandra Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle Dwarf Arctic Willow Dwarf Fothergilla Flowering Quince Flowering Almond Hancock Coralberry Fragrant Sumac Mapleleaf Viburnum Indiancurrant Coralberry Rhodora Potentilla Silver Creeping Willow Summersweet Snowberry Sweet Gale Sweet Fern