Whether you're looking for a way to liven up your backyard garden or ideas for Mom on Mother's Day, flowering shrubs might be just the ticket. They're perfect for adding a hint of color and some can even provide you with blooms for next year's Mother's Day rose bouquets! Here are several of the best choices.
1. Forsythia. These bright yellow shrubs make a great border for the yard, and they're often the first flowers to bloom in springtime, reports Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. Some of the branches sweep downward, while others shoot upward, which means you're always in for a surprise.
2. Azalea. According to Birds & Blooms Magazine, these rhododendron relatives have white, orange, yellow, pink or red flowers that grow in small clusters. You can choose from several different sizes to best suit your yard. They grow best in an inch-thick layer of mulch around the base, which will keep in plenty of water.
3. Butterfly bush. These pretty shrubs often feature blue, pink, lavender, white or purple blossoms, reports Better Homes and Gardens. They bloom in the summer and are somewhat similar to lilacs, but with a longer season. They'll last into fall as long as you pick off fading flowers.
4. Red rhododendron. These easy-to-grow shrubs have gorgeously bright flowers that last for months. Red is the most common color, according to BrighterBlooms.com, but they can also be found in apricot, yellow, orange and red-orange.
5. Shrub rose. According to Better Homes and Gardens, modern shrub roses were developed in the 1970s and are a cross between old garden roses, hybrid tea roses and a few other species. They're very fragrant and hardy, making them a perfect addition.
6. Viburnum. Birds & Blooms recommends this shrub because it's easy to grow, showy and long-lasting. They bloom in late spring or early summer and require consistent watering. They'll thrive in most types of sunlight, from full sun to partial shade.
7. Hydrangea paniculata. Better Homes and Gardens reports that these shrubs are the easiest type of hydrangeas to grow. They have fluffy white flowers that turn pink or green in late summer or early fall. They're also perfect for landscaping, so you shouldn't have trouble finding somewhere that will suit them.