What are ornamental shrubs? Almost any type of shrub can be considered ornamental when it is in season. When asked "What are Ornamental Shrubs?", our panel of top experts from Greenview Landscaping including...
When asked "What are Ornamental Shrubs?", our panel of top experts from Greenview Landscaping including Johanna who has been a landscape designer with the company since 2002, Ben who is a landscape design/build manager, and Tom who serves as the company's maintenance manager, says, "Any shrub is really ornamental in the season that it is known for. For example, evergreen shrubs are considered ornamental even though they do not flower. They are ornamental in the wintertime and year around. Just about any shrub can be ornamental at one point or another during the year. Ornamental shrubs can have fall colors, fruits in the winter, or flowers in the spring and/or summer"
The "Winged Euonymus" shrub is known for its fall colors while the "Japanese Beautyberry" produces pretty fruit in autumn. The "Rose of Sharon" is a popular ornamental choice for summer flowers and the "Common Lilac" is also planted for the same reason. The "Winter Honeysuckle" blooms early in the spring and the "Winter Jasmine" lives up to its name with winter yellow flowers.
The panel of experts go on to say that "many shrubs will have several different seasons... those are really cool plants. For instance, plants like a chokeberry are going to have flowers in the spring and fruit display in the summer, and have a nice fall color." The "Vernal Witchhazel" has long lasting winter flowers, when in the right climate, as well as attractive fall colors and the "Spreading Cotoneaster" has foliage that is beautiful in both fall and summer.
Some people choose ornamental shrubs in order to attract certain animals. The "Butterfly Bush" produces summer flowers and lives up to its name by drawing the attention of the winged creatures. Some types of evergreen shrubs as well as the "Sapphire Berry" and "Nannyberry Viburnum" attract birds. Of course there are those that do not want certain animals hanging around so if insects are a problem in your area avoid certain shrubs such as the "Glossy Abelia", which fragrant white flowers are as beautiful to pests are they are to humans or the "English Yew", which are a favorite of deer. If you like the look of a certain shrub that attracts unwanted company, you could always place them at the edge of your yard, if it is large enough, where you can still enjoy the beauty without the hassle of the "visitors" congregating at your door.
Whatever your reasons behind wanting to include ornamental shrubs in your landscaping, the choices you have will vary depending on your location, size of space allotted for them and of course your budget. Different species also entail different maintenance from fertilizing to pruning. For example, the "Fiveleaf Aralis"is tolerant of pollution with little upkeep needed and the "Siberian Pea Shrub" can adapt to various extremes of climate and soil while the "English Yew" should be planted in acid soil that is high in organic material and is well-drained. Looking through gardening or landscaping magazines and books may be a good place to get ideas for ornamental shrubs and other plantings, but if they are not based on your local habitat and individual needs, you need to research further in order to know what options are truly available to you for your particular landscaping project.
