NATIVE SHRUBS TO GROW
COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT - SERVICING MARYLAND, DC, AND VIRGINIA
The DMV area is home to a rich diversity of native shrubs that can beautifully enhance your garden while supporting local wildlife. Consider planting shrubs that offers evergreen foliage, shrubs with vibrant flowers or stems to add visual interest, and shrubs with edible berries for birds and small animals to promote biodiversity, helping your garden thrive in harmony with the local ecosystem.
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Flowering shrubs are an excellent addition to any garden, providing a burst of color and texture throughout the growing season. They come in various shapes and sizes, making it easy to find the perfect fit for any space. These shrubs not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your landscape but also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to the overall health of your garden ecosystem. Many flowering shrubs are low maintenance, requiring minimal care while still delivering impressive displays of blooms.
Hydrangea is a popular flowering shrub renowned for its lush foliage and vibrant blooms, which can range from blue to pink depending on the soil pH. It typically blooms in summer and can last well into fall, providing a continuous display of color. It is an ideal choice for shaded garden areas and is relatively low-maintenance, requiring regular watering and occasional pruning to promote healthy growth and flowering.
Hydrangeas typically take about 2 to 3 years to reach maturity when grown from seed or cutting. It takes several weeks for the seeds to germinate and then years for the plants to develop into full-sized bushes. Taking cuttings from an established hydrangea plant can expedite the process, as the cuttings can root and begin growing more quickly, often producing blooms in their first or second year.
SUN
Full-Sun / Partial-Shade
SOIL
Well-drained, Moist
SOIL PH
Acidic to Neutral
SOWING PERIOD
Early Spring
FLOWERING PERIOD
Summer
Azaleas are flowering shrubs celebrated for their stunning array of colors, ranging from soft pastels to bold, fiery hues. Typically blooming in the spring, azaleas bring a burst of life after the winter months, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. It holds cultural significance in many parts of the world, symbolizing beauty, fragility, and the transient nature of life. They can be pruned into various shapes or left to grow naturally, creating a stunning focal point in any outdoor setting.
Starting from seed, it can take anywhere from 2 to 5 years for the plants to reach maturity. Azaleas propagated from cuttings often reach a mature size in about 1 to 3 years. Successful propagation starts by taking cuttings from established plants in late spring or early summer, and placing them in a suitable rooting medium and keeping them in a warm, humid environment to encourage root development.
SUN
Full-Sun / Partial-Shade
SOIL
Well-drained, Moist
SOIL PH
Acidic
SOWING PERIOD
Early Spring
FLOWERING PERIOD
Spring
Pacific Ninebark is a deciduous shrub characterized by its striking, peeling bark that reveals layers of reddish-brown underneath. This plant typically reaches heights of 6 to 10 feet and features lobed, green leaves that turn a vibrant yellow-orange in the fall. In late spring to early summer, it produces clusters of small, white to pale pink flowers that attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Its ability to tolerate a range of soil conditions and its resilience to drought make it a popular choice for native landscaping and ecological restoration projects.
Pacific Ninebark typically takes about 3 to 5 years to reach full maturity when grown from seed or cutting. Seeds often require stratification (a period of cold treatment) to enhance germination. If propagating from cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings are taken in late summer or early fall and placed in a well-draining medium and kept moist until roots develop, which may take several weeks.
SUN
Full-Sun / Partial-Shade
SOIL
Well-drained, Sandy
SOIL PH
Acidic
SOWING PERIOD
Spring
FLOWERING PERIOD
Summer
Ocean Spray is a deciduous shrub characterized by its arching branches and dense clusters of creamy-white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. Its leaves are deep green and turn vibrant shades of yellow and red in the fall, enhancing its ornamental value. Ocean Spray is known for its ecological benefits, including erosion control and providing food and shelter for birds and insects, making it a valuable component of local ecosystems.
Ocean Spray typically takes about 3 to 5 years to reach maturity when grown from seed or cutting. Collect ripe seeds in late summer and stratify them for about 30 days to mimic winter conditions, then sow in a well-draining soil mix kept consistently moist for several weeks until they germinate. For propagation through cuttings, take hardwood 6-8 inch cuttings with several nodes in late fall or early winter and plant them in a container filled with a suitable rooting medium, keeping them in a humid environment until roots develop after a few months.
SUN
Full-Sun / Partial-Shade
SOIL
Well-drained, Sandy
SOIL PH
Acidic
SOWING PERIOD
Late Summer
FLOWERING PERIOD
Spring - Early Summer
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a stunning deciduous shrub or small tree celebrated for its vibrant pink to purple flowers that bloom in early spring before the leaves appear. Its unique, twisting branches create an attractive silhouette, making it a favored choice for ornamental landscaping and garden design.
Eastern Redbud typically takes about 4 to 6 years to reach maturity when grown from seed or cutting. The seeds often require a period of cold stratification for several weeks to germinate successfully. Once germinated, the seedlings will grow relatively quickly in the right conditions. If propagating from cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings are taken in late summer or early fall and can root in a few weeks to a couple of months.
SUN
Full-Sun / Partial-Shade
SOIL
Well-drained, Loamy
SOIL PH
Acidic
SOWING PERIOD
Late Summer
FLOWERING PERIOD
Spring - Early Summer
BERRY-PRODUCING SHRUBS
Berry-producing shrubs are a delightful addition to any garden not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their fruits edible for wildlife. These shrubs often feature attractive flowers in the spring and rich foliage that changes color in the fall, making them visually appealing year-round. Berry-producing shrubs can attract beneficial wildlife, such as birds and pollinators, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden.
American Beautyberry is a deciduous shrub known for its striking clusters of vibrant purple berries that appear in late summer and persist into fall, creating a stunning visual display against the backdrop of its lush green foliage. The berries are an essential food source for birds and other wildlife. Easy to propagate and maintain, this resilient shrub is an excellent addition to native plant gardens, attracting pollinators and providing habitat for various species.
American Beautyberry typically takes about 2 to 3 years to reach full maturity from seed or cutting. When grown from seed, the germination process can take several weeks to a few months. Seedlings and cuttings usually put on significant growth in their second and third years, and they will exhibit their characteristic vibrant purple berries when fully established. Regular pruning can help promote healthier growth and fruit production.
SUN
Full-Sun / Partial-Shade
SOIL
Well-drained, Sandy
SOIL PH
Neutral
SOWING PERIOD
Early Spring
FLOWERING PERIOD
Later Summer - Fall
Red-Osier Dogwood is a deciduous shrub known for its striking red stems and vibrant green leaves that turn a rich burgundy in the fall. It thrives in wetland areas, making it an excellent choice for riparian restoration projects and landscape designs that require erosion control. In spring, it produces clusters of small white flowers that attract pollinators, followed by glossy white berries that provide food for birds and other wildlife.
Red-Osier Dogwood typically takes about 3 to 5 years to reach maturity when grown from seed or cuttings. When grown from cuttings, the plant establishes itself more quickly, often showing significant growth within the first couple of years. Starting from seed requires stratification to break dormancy.
SUN
Full-Sun / Partial-Shade
SOIL
Well-drained, Clay
SOIL PH
Neutral
SOWING PERIOD
Early Winter
FLOWERING PERIOD
Summer
Serviceberry or Saskatoon berry, is a deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows 6 to 25 feet tall and is characterized by its white, star-shaped flowers that bloom in early spring, followed by small, sweet, blue-purple fruits in late spring to early summer, which are highly valued for their flavor and nutritional benefits. The leaves are oval-shaped and turn a vibrant red or orange in the fall, adding seasonal interest to landscapes.
Red-Osier Dogwood typically takes about 3 to 5 years to reach maturity when grown from seed or cuttings. When grown from cuttings, the plant establishes itself more quickly, often showing significant growth within the first couple of years. Starting from seed requires stratification to break dormancy.
SUN
Full-Sun / Partial-Shade
SOIL
Well-drained, Loamy
SOIL PH
Neutral
SOWING PERIOD
Spring
FLOWERING PERIOD
Early Spring
Snowberry is a deciduous shrub known for its distinctive non-edible white berries that persist into winter, providing visual interest even after the leaves have fallen. Typically growing between 3 to 6 feet tall, it features arching branches and oval-shaped leaves that are green in the summer, turning to shades of yellow in the fall. Its ability to tolerate poor soil conditions makes it a resilient choice for landscaping and erosion control.
Snowberry typically takes about 2 to 3 years to reach maturity when grown from seed or cutting. Seed germination can take several weeks, and once planted, it can establish itself well in a variety of soil types and is known for its resilience. If propagated from cuttings, the process can be quicker, as cuttings can root and begin to grow within a few months.
SUN
Full-Sun / Partial-Shade
SOIL
Well-drained
SOIL PH
Neutral
SOWING PERIOD
Spring
FLOWERING PERIOD
Fall
Salal is a hardy evergreen shrub characterized by its glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant, bell-shaped white to pink flowers that bloom in the spring. The plant produces small, edible purple berries in late summer, which are favored by birds and wildlife. Salal is often used in landscaping for erosion control and ground cover in shaded areas. Its resilience and adaptability contribute to its essence in both natural habitats and cultivated gardens.
Salal typically takes about 3 to 5 years to reach maturity, depending on growing conditions such as light, soil quality, and moisture levels. If you choose to propagate Salal from cuttings, it can grow faster, often reaching a more mature size within 2 to 4 years. It will thrive best in dappled sunlight, and regular pruning can help maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth.
SUN
Full-Sun / Partial-Shade
SOIL
Well-drained
SOIL PH
Neutral
SOWING PERIOD
Early Spring
FLOWERING PERIOD
Spring - Late Summer
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