Flowering shrubs are the floral fanfare in creative garden art. From the majestic solitaire to the dapper small shrub, Mother Nature gives us magnificent species and varieties that stage themselves in the bed and on the balcony with opulent abundance of flowers as eye-catchers. The following selection introduces you to flowering garden shrubs that pass the floral baton on to one another from spring to winter. Get to know 20 hardy bushes for sunny locations here.
spring bloomers
The following shrubs celebrate the blooming overture in spring when most of the perennials are still in hibernation. With their motley flowers, they herald the beginning of the loveliest season and awaken creativity in the gardener.
shrub species
Bridal Spire (Spiraea arguta)
With its white veil of flowers, the bridal spiers demonstrate in spring that they are rightly named. The sunnier the location, the more numerous the snow-white corymbs unfold on the previous year's wood. The enchanting ornamental tree looks just as good as a solitary plant in a small garden as it does as a covering shrub in a small group. In the large pot, the lovely shrub floods the sunny balcony with its white flowers. Before the autumn leaves fall, the green leaves turn a subtle yellow to say goodbye to the winter break with a final floral greeting.
- Flowering time: April to May
- Growth height: 150 to 200 cm
Bridal Spire (Spiraea arguta)
Star magnolia 'Waterlily' (Magnolia stellata)
This premium variety scores as one of the hardiest magnolias, showing its best side in sunny locations. While their majestic fellows present themselves as trees, the star magnolia presents itself as a bright white flowering shrub in beds and tubs. Their star-shaped flowers, which can be up to 10 cm in size, are particularly impressive on the solitary ornamental tree in the middle of a lawn. Thanks to its robust winter hardiness, 'Waterlily' reaches a biblical age for garden shrubs of up to 40 years, during which time it steadily gains in beauty.
- Flowering time: March to April (in mild winter years from mid-February)
- Growth height: 150 to 300 cm
Star magnolia 'Waterlily' (Magnolia stellata)
Goldbells (Forsythia x intermedia)
With their bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers, gold bells spread a carefree spring feeling in the garden long before their green leaves sprout on the elegantly curved branches. In order for the traditional garden shrubs to achieve their optimum, the location should be as sunny as possible. In addition, the golden-yellow beauties are undemanding and thrive in any normal garden soil. The 5 to 6 cm large leaves give way to the flowers in spring, knowing full well that their hour has come in autumn with a beautiful coloring in pleasant shades of yellow.
- Flowering time: April to May
- Growth height: 200 to 300 cm
Goldbells (Forsythia x intermedia)
Tip: Spring flowering shrubs get their topiary at the end of the flowering period. As a rule, they bud in summer and autumn, so a winter pruning destroys the hope of another flowering show.
Rhododendron (Rhododendron)
In order to transform the spring garden in a sunny location into a furious sea of flowers, the rhododendron is at the top of the list of popular flowering bushes. The wide variety of varieties ranges from the majestic solitaire for the park to the decorative dwarf for the tub on the balcony. You are spoiled for choice among evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous specimens that come up with individual advantages. Furthermore, modern Inkarho hybrids prove to be just as hardy as they are lime-tolerant.
- Flowering period: May to June
- Growth height: 70 to 300 cm
Rhododendron (Rhododendron)
summer bloomers
So that the blossom symphony continues seamlessly after the floral prelude with the spring bloomers in the garden, summer-blooming shrubs are there on time. The following species and varieties for sunny locations are not only hardy, but also boast a never-ending flowering period.
shrub species
Rose 'Gloria Dei' (Pink)
One of the most famous roses worldwide is representative of the breathtakingly large variety of rose species and varieties. The wonderful, summer-blooming 'Gloria Dei' comes from the legendary rose breeder Francis Meilland and is one of the best-selling hybrid tea roses. The royal, summer-blooming beauty inspires with delicate yellow, densely filled flowers enthroned above dark green, shiny leaves. The pink rim of flowers increases in intensity towards the end of each flowering period, creating striking contrasts. The tightly upright and bushy hybrid tea rose is completely hardy and pleasingly easy to care for.
- Flowering time: June to October (flowering more often)
- Growth height: 70 to 100 cm
Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)
With its large panicles of flowers, Buddleia will transform any border into an island of summer opulence. If you're looking for a summer bloomer that doesn't pose a challenge to its gardener, don't get past Buddleja davidii with its hard-working varieties. The coveted garden shrubs inspire with a robust frost hardiness down to - 20 degrees Celsius and a cutting tolerance that is second to none. A location that is sunny to shady is crucial for the decorative flower crescendo.
- Flowering period: July to October
- Growth height: 200 to 300 cm
Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)
Weigela 'Bristol Ruby' (Weigelia)
Where a weigela sets the tone in the garden, the gardener can be sure of admiring looks over the garden fence. The summer-flowering premium variety 'Bristol Ruby' has retained the robust character of its wild counterparts and optimized it with ruby red flower clusters. If that weren't enough, after a slight pruning at the end of the flowering period in autumn, the picturesque bushes make another flower-rich statement, paired with a colorful foliage coloration.
- Flowering period: May to July
- Growth height: 200 to 300 cm
Mockingbird, Garden Jasmine 'Snowstorm' (Philadelphus)
Flowering shrubs with Mediterranean charm and reliable winter hardiness are few and far between. The mock orange tree fulfills these wishes as a spectacular summer bloomer with white, densely filled bowl-shaped flowers. The location should be sunny, warm and protected so that it can live out its charismatic presence.
If the bushes form a hedge, thanks to their vigour, they serve as a summer-blooming, opaque shield against prying eyes in no time at all. In winter, the shrubs shed their leaves, endure temperatures of up to -30 degrees Celsius without complaint and repeat their romantic rendezvous next summer as blooming treasures.
- Flowering period: June to August
- Growth height: 170 to 250 cm
Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
There are large numbers of flowering hydrangea bushes for partially shaded locations. In order to decorate a mainly sunny place in the garden with classic beauties, the selection melts down to panicle hydrangeas, which do not languish even under the summer sun. The summer bloomers are also completely hardy and easy to care for, making life easy for the gardener. We would particularly like to recommend the top-class variety 'Unique' to you. Its imposing panicles of flowers unfold in pure white and fade to a gorgeous pink.
- Flowering period: July to October
- Growth height: 200 to 300 cm
Tip: The winter hardiness of your garden shrubs is significantly strengthened by administering a potassium-rich fertilizer in the fall. Patentkali or Thomaskali are just as suitable for this purpose as potassium-rich comfrey manure. It is crucial that the nutrient is absorbed by the roots a few weeks before the onset of winter in order to strengthen the cell tissue and lower the freezing point in the cell water.
Starlet shrub 'Plena' (Deutzia scabra)
With its monumental stature and myriads of lush flowers, the star bush steals the show from other ornamental plants. At the beginning of the warm season, the long panicles adorn themselves with white, pink-tinged flowers over dark green leaves. The country house and cottage garden offers the ideal setting for its breathtaking play of colors, provided there is enough space for extensive growth. Thanks to a clump-like, dense arrangement of its ground shoots, the summer bloomer is happy to take on the task of blooming privacy screens or picturesque enclosures.
- Flowering period: June and July
- Growth height: 250 to 350 cm
autumn bloomers
As the gardening season draws to a close, it's time for autumn flowering shrubs. Their brightly colored flowers dance above decorative foliage and make us forget the approaching winter.
shrub species
Autumn Lilac 'Superba' (Syringa microphylla)
This floral jewel owes its name to a double flowering period in spring and autumn. Anyone who struggles with the invasive spread of the common lilac will find peaceful bushes in the autumn lilac without the urge to conquer the garden. Characteristic of 'Superba' are the 20 cm long panicles, on which countless purple-pink flowers with white corolla cavort. Even from afar, this lilac species announces itself with a seductive scent that attracts hordes of butterflies, bees and bumblebees in the spring and autumn garden.
- Flowering time: May and June with second flowering in October
- Growth height: 100 to 120 cm
Ball Hydrangea 'Hot Red Violet' (Hydrangea macrophylla)
The new generation of autumn-flowering ball hydrangea impresses with a tireless flowering period that begins in early summer. The huge flower balls shine in an intense, red-violet hue and a bluish shimmering center. If withered flowers are cleaned out, the shrub will reliably replant until the first frost. The floral brilliance is based on strong vigor and robust winter hardiness, which is supported by an acidic pH value of 4.7 to 5.0.
- Flowering period: June to October
- Growth height: 60 to 100 cm
Tip: Late-flowering shrubs go into winter unpruned. Only from January/February do the bushes receive a species-specific shape and maintenance cut, in good time before the new shoots in spring.
Seven Sons of Heaven Shrub (Heptacodium miconioides)
In June, the white flowers of the Asian shrubs peep out cautiously, as if exploring the location in the garden. The bushes then take their time until autumn with their main bloom, followed by decorative, red to purple fruits. The blossom festival of the garden shrubs is accompanied by dark green, egg-shaped leaves. Native to the Chinese steppes and mountains, the shrubs love it sunny and warm. This does not prevent the undemanding ornamental trees from showing themselves to be extremely hardy.
- Flowering period: June and August to November
- Growth height: 300 to 400 cm
Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus)
For gardeners with a soft spot for rare garden shrubs that like sunny and humid locations, chaste tree is a perfect candidate. Its distribution area extends from the Mediterranean region to the Crimea, where it transforms meadows, riverbanks and damp embankments into an autumnal sea of blossoms.
The blue-violet lipped flowers and red-black fruits harmonize wonderfully with the grey-green leaves. In medieval monastery gardens, the loose, upright bushes were cultivated as useful plants. The berries were said to facilitate abstinence for the monks, which is where the common name Chaste Tree comes from.
- Flowering period: August to October
- Growth height: 100 to 300 cm
Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus)
Clematis - Clematis 'New Love' (Clematis)
Clematis is not limited to being a climbing plant. This clematis variety thrives as an upright and dense shrub that is suitable for borders and containers thanks to its compact size. In contrast to the classics for facade greening, the violet flowering 'New Love' loves it sunny and warm. Nevertheless, it is equipped with a robust winter hardiness and easily withstands frost down to - 22 degrees Celsius.
- Flowering period: July/August to September/October
- Growth height: 60 to 100 cm
winter bloomers
They are the survivors of the plant kingdom. Winter-blooming garden shrubs not only defy ice and snow, but as cheerfully colorful bushes in the garden and on the balcony they don't let any sadness arise.
shrub species
Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
If you don't know it yet, you'll rub your eyes in amazement at its yellow winter blossoms. Winter jasmine is still one of the rarities in the winter garden. The loose, overhanging habit can be used for cultivation as a solitary plant in a sunny bed and as a climbing plant for greening walls and facades. Creative home gardeners are happy to use the elegant bushes as container plants to decorate the empty terrace with yellow flowers in winter.
- Flowering time: December to March
- Growth height: 150 to 200 cm - with climbing aid 300 to 350 cm
Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
Winter Snowball 'Dawn' (Viburnum bodnantense)
With red to dark purple foliage, the winter snowball heralds the end of the gardening season. After it has shed its leaves, the pink-white, intensely fragrant flowers sprout. With this extraordinary vegetation cycle, the extravagant garden shrubs have conquered a regular place in every creative garden design. In mild winter locations, the distinctive umbrella panicles provide floral moments of happiness even in the run-up to Christmas. Together with early-blooming bulbs, such as snowdrops and crocuses, you create decorative winter ensembles that draw everyone's attention.
- Flowering time: November to April
- Growth height: 200 to 250 cm
Witch hazel 'Diane' (Hamamelis intermedia)
When winter seems to have no end, witch hazel bushes awaken the anticipation of spring. The top-class variety 'Diane' is characterized by a special radiance, whose wine-red flowers ensure a winter riot of colors in beds and tubs. The broad, bushy shrub thrives wonderfully in a sunny and sheltered location with nutrient-rich, fresh, moist soil. When winter puts a snow cap on the ruffled blossoms, all hearts fly to the floral work of art.
- Flowering period: January and February
- Growth height: 200 to 300 cm
Witch hazel 'Diane' (Hamamelis intermedia)
Winter Heather 'White Perfection' (Erica darleyensis)
The classic among winter bloomers should not be missing from this selection. Where the winter heather feels in good hands, its dreamy, white flowering season seems to have no end. The wishes for the ideal location are modest, because the secret winter queen puts on her white blossoms in all sunny to semi-shady locations with normal to sandy-poor garden soil. In beds, tubs or as a border around graves, you can send the perpetual bloomer into the winter race without any worries, because heather is always hardy down to - 25 degrees Celsius.
- Flowering period: December to April/May
- Growth height: 30 to 40 cm
Bay viburnum 'Gwenllian' (Viburnum tinus)
It is thanks to the laurel viburnum that we do not have to do without flowering shrubs in winter. The evergreen shrub is adorned with white, later pink flowers when most perennials are in hibernation. The red-brown buds in late autumn are already a feast for the eyes and arouse anticipation of the fragrant spectacle of flowers in the middle of the cold season. The visual advantages go hand in hand with a leisurely growth that does not require pruning every year.
- Flowering time: November to April
- Growth height: 100 to 150 cm
Conclusion
Flowering shrubs are the ultimate in creative garden design. This selection with 20 of the most beautiful, hardy bushes for sunny locations invites you to browse.There are flowering garden shrubs to be discovered here for every season, with which colorful liveliness finds its way into the bed and on the balcony.
The hand-picked selection ranges from the enchanting bridal spiers as a classic spring bloomer to the ruby red weigela, as a noble summer bloomer, the rare monk's pepper, as an extravagant autumn bloomer, to the winter heather, the uncrowned snow queen. The floral gems are all completely hardy, so you can rely on the blooming splendor to return every year.