Flowering shrubs are a must in a Zone 5 & 6 garden! They provide color and good structure for garden beds along with winter interest after the growing season ends. Make sure to give them a good start by carefully planning where they will be planted. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen shrubs planted too close together or too close to the house or sidewalk!
Consider the mature size, the form, and the flowers of the shrubs. Space them according to the care directions so they have room to grow and thrive for many years of enjoyment …
Here are some flowering, ornamental shrubs that do well in Zone 5/6 Gardens:
See These Colorful Flowering Shrubs For Zones 5 & 6 …
* Cotoneaster – Tiny pink flowers in May and cranberry-like red berries in fall. Leaves provide great fall color. Attracts birds. Comes in varying sizes from 2′ – 3′ to 8′ – 10′ varieties …
* Dogwood – Adaptable and vigorous flowering shrubs. I especially like the types with bright red stems – stunning! They add much needed color to the winter garden. Yellow, white or pink blooms in spring or early summer …
* Forsythia – Ahhh springtime has arrived! Masses of yellow blooms and good for cutting. Needs well drained soil.
* Hydrangea – Provides a big splash of color to the garden with their large, showy flowers. (see photo at top) Old-fashioned plants that are enjoying a resurgence of popularity. The popular “Invincibelle Spirit” is one I’m going to check out this season. A portion of sales from this hardy, pink hydrangea will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation …
* Lilacs – These beauties are the old fashioned staple of landscapes, but the varieties available now are far from old fashioned. The lovely fragrance of lilacs will grace your property every spring with just a quick shearing after the spring bloom period.
* Mock Orange – Re-blooming shrub with luscious, fragrant white flowers. The dwarf variety is especially recommended and easy care …
* Potentilla – One of the few shrubs that flowers all summer long. A drought tolerant steady performer for the front of your garden. Grows 2′ – 3′ high. Available in yellow, white, pink and orangey-red. They look great beside purple coneflowers and orange butterfly weed.
* Rhododendron – Also know as “Azaleas”. Gorgeous when in flower – most bloom in spring. Does best in part shade. Flower Chick screwed up the first time I planted them and they died. Learned my lesson – they love organic, moist and well-drained low pH soil. Worth the effort!
* Viburnum – Last but certainly not least, the Viburnum family offers something for every Zone 5 & 6 garden. Extremely serviceable plants that come in many sizes and forms. Birds and butterflies flock to them. One of my favorites is the ‘Compact Koreanspice Viburnum’ a fragrant variety with rounded clusters of flowers. The dark green foliage turns a lovely wine red in fall.
Check Out Flowering Shrubs For Zones 5 & 6 Here …
There are so many wonderful flowering shrubs to choose from. Flowering shrubs are colorful additions to any landscape and can also serve as a backdrop for perennial gardens. There are many flowering shrubs that are easy to grow and low maintenance. So you can have blooms without the work of annual and perennial gardens.
To ensure that your shrubs grow healthy, bloom well and are low maintenance, it is very important that you select shrubs that do well in your soil type, sun conditions, and region.
Visit a botanic garden to learn more about excellent shrubs that thrive in your area and to pick up ideas on how to grow them. Inspiration is to be found at every turn …
