Bushes blooming in spring. Woody with yellow leaves - a godsend for a summer resident

  • 12.05.2019

When the vast majority of ornamental shrubs are just beginning to wake up from their winter sleep, forsythia, blooming bright yellow flowers on leafless twigs, is one of the first to announce the arrival of spring. Due to early and very bright flowering, elegant shrub gives an amazing feeling of spring mood. It will take 2-3 weeks, and everything will come to life, bloom, smell sweet, but for now, forsythia reigns, the golden inflorescences of which are breathtaking even in the photo.

A bright flash of solar flowering against the background of trees that have begun to bloom

Sunny herald of spring

Forsythia, also known as forsythia, belongs to the flowering deciduous shrubs of the Olive family. The homeland of the plant is East Asia and the Balkan region of Europe, where its thickets abundantly cover the sunny mountain slopes and are found everywhere. Decorative culture is highly valued among European gardeners - here it is used to decorate city parks and private gardens. Not all are suitable for Russian regions with a cold climate, but only winter-hardy varieties that can retain flower buds even during the period of return spring frosts.

In botany, 7 types of forsythia are known, the description of which is largely similar. This is a sprawling shrub that, without artificial formation, is able to grow up to 3 m in height and almost the same in diameter. The branches are upright, forming a lush bush, and drooping, forming a tree with a weeping crown. The leaves are oval, slightly oblong, 7-15 cm in size, the color range is from dark green to yellow-green. Among garden forms, varieties with variegated foliage have been bred, giving the plant an attractive appearance throughout the season.

The forsythia bush is easily recognizable by its beautifully flowering twigs with yellow flowers that bloom before the leaves. Large golden bells reach 2.5–6 cm in diameter and are collected in bunches of several pieces. The plant begins to bloom at 4-5 years of age, the process itself lasts from 10 to 25 days. Immediately after this, the foliage blooms and the vegetation of young shoots begins.

Important! When choosing a shrub, pay attention to its cold resistance. Most cultivars and hybrids are thermophilic, and even if the plant itself does not freeze, flower buds die in it. The result is rare single flowers at a level of 30-40 cm from the ground (at the height of the snow cover).

Species and varieties

Forsythia first appeared in Russian gardens in the middle of the 19th century, but at that time only heat-loving varieties were known, so the plant was grown in pot culture. In the first half of the XX century. winter-hardy species of deciduous shrubs begin to be cultivated in open field. Consider the most popular types and garden forms of the plant.

    Forsythia ovoid or oval is one of the most winter-hardy members of the family, therefore it is best suited for growing in regions with a cold climate. A dense compact bush grows quickly, blooms very early - in the southern regions in the first decade of April, in the Moscow region - in May. Due to its unpretentiousness to growing conditions and drought resistance, it retains its decorative effect throughout the entire growing season. On the basis of F. ovoid, numerous varieties are bred that gardeners love: ultra-early Tetragold, especially frost-resistant Goldzauber, large-flowered Parkdecor and Vic End, miniature Melissa.

    Forsythia hanging or drooping is distinguished by long flexible stems and high growth energy, it is considered cold-resistant. In the middle lane, in order to avoid freezing of flower buds, the shrub requires shelter or at least bending the branches to the ground so that they are under the snow. In the Crimea, the Caucasus, and southern Russia, F. hanging down is allowed along a trellis, using the wall of a house or a fence as a support.

    Forsythia intermediate is a hybrid obtained from crossing several species, the second name is F. medium. Vigorous shrub with large dark green leaves and bright yellow flowers, frost and drought resistant. It has many interesting garden forms, the name of which speaks for itself - F. dense-flowered, F. primrose, F. wonderful. Among foreign varieties, Linwood forsythia is popular - a sprawling, profusely flowering shrub that forms spherical bushes up to 3 m in diameter. The plant attracts not only early flowering, but also unusual purple-violet foliage in autumn period. Noteworthy are the varieties Fiesta and Variegata with unusual variegated leaves.

    European Forsythia is a heat-loving species, sensitive to sub-zero temperatures; in cold climates, flower buds can freeze even in shelter. In culture, the shrub is common in the southern regions, characterized by early and long flowering (up to 25 days).

It is interesting! Besides traditional forms with yellow flowers, there are varieties with a different color - forsythia pink and white. This is a separate species that grows on the Korean Peninsula, known as the two-row abelioleaf. It is rare in the middle lane.

Features of cultivation in central Russia

Forsythia in the horticultural environment is considered an unpretentious shrub, planting and caring for which in the open field does not require much time or any special knowledge. But in order for the plant not only to sit, but to feel comfortable, give good growth and annually please with elegant flowering, you must, firstly, choose suitable varieties Secondly, plant correctly. In this case, care can really be minimized.

Growing conditions

In nature, the shrub grows on mountain slopes, so it is photophilous, but it also tolerates partial shade quite adequately, especially in areas with hot, dry summers and low air humidity. Heat-loving covering varieties do not like drafts and sharp gusts of cold wind, they prefer quiet sheltered places in the depths of the garden or along the walls of the house.

When choosing forsythia varieties for planting and care in the Moscow region, the cold resistance of the crop and the timing of flowering are taken into account, taking into account frequent return frosts. The most stable forms for the region are ovoid and medium (intermediate) forsythia and cultivars descended from them. You can plant a f. hanging down, but you will have to cover the branches for the winter. But it is better to refuse F. European - the heat-loving shrub will not be able to reveal its potential, it will only eke out a miserable existence.

The same types of forsythia are relevant for cultivation in the Urals.

In terms of soil, the shrub is not picky about fertility, but prefers a moisture-permeable soil structure and an alkaline reaction of the soil solution. In areas with close groundwater, the plant is planted in elevated areas or provide for drainage and removal of excess water.

Landing

Forsythia prefers autumn planting, before the onset of cold weather, so that the seedling has time to take root. planting material with a closed root system can be planted in any warm season.

A landing pit is prepared up to a depth of 70 cm, with a diameter of at least half a meter. On heavy moisture-intensive soils, drainage from stones, large gravel, broken bricks (up to 20 cm) is laid at the bottom, sprinkled with a small layer of sand on top. The root system is placed in garden soil seasoned with humus or leaf compost, wood ash (a glass per hole). In group planting, a distance of 1.5–2 m is maintained between seedlings.

Care

Forsythia, like any garden plant, is responsive to care, but unpretentious in care. It lacks a minimum set of activities.

    In the spring, immediately after flowering, the shrub is fed with a complete mineral fertilizer such as azophoska, nitrophoska, Kemira for ornamental crops - this is necessary for the full growth of young shoots and laying flower buds on next year.

    Watering is necessary only in summer, and then if there is no rain for a long time. The watering rate for one bush is 1-2 buckets every 3-4 weeks. After moistening, it is advisable to mulch the trunk circle with peat or dry garden soil.

    The plant loves deep loosening, which saturates the soil with oxygen.

    In order to get abundant flowering in the spring, it is advisable to bend the branches to the ground for the winter, cover the root zone with spruce branches and fallen leaves.

One of the essential elements of care is forsythia pruning.

Cutting technology

Pruning is needed not only for the formation of a beautiful bush, but also for a full vegetation and annual flowering. The main thing here is not to overdo it and not cause excessive branching, which can reduce the lushness of the color next year. The main pruning of forsythia is carried out in the spring immediately after flowering. Remove frozen and dried shoots, as well as growing inside the bush, faded branches are shortened by 30–40%.

The second pruning, or rather pinching, is carried out in August, slightly shortening the tops of young non-lignified shoots. By doing this, we stop their growth and give time for the branches to ripen.

They practice pruning old bushes for a stump. This contributes to the rejuvenation of the shrub and the rapid restoration of its potential.

Note! Experiencing why forsythia does not bloom, not everyone knows that one of the reasons is insufficient pruning (or its complete absence) of faded shoots. The plant spends time ripening seeds and does not have time to form flower buds.

Reproduction methods

Forsythia seeds have a low germination rate, so gardeners prefer vegetative methods of shrub propagation.

    The first option is the division of the bush. 1–3 young shoots with a fragment of the root system are separated from the overgrown plant.

    simple and effective method- propagation by layering. Flexible shoots of drooping forms, in contact with the soil, often take root on their own. Layering can be obtained by autumn, if at the beginning of summer the branch is pinned to the ground and covered with soil at the point of contact.

    Forsythia is responsive to propagation by green cuttings in spring and summer (no later than June). Sliced ​​shoots are treated with a growth regulator, planted on a bed in open ground, covered with a film or any other plastic container. At a temperature of 22–25 ⁰ C and sufficient humidity, 95–100% of green cuttings take root.

Decorative use of an early flowering shrub

Amateur gardeners and landscape designers appreciate the yellow shrub for its special ability to color spring garden bright colors, so forsythia is often planted in tapeworms in open areas and lawns.

The second area of ​​​​application of shrubs is the design of hedges. It grows quite quickly and lends itself well to a haircut. For these purposes, species of medium height with erect stems are suitable, for example, ovoid forsythia, which is ideal in this regard in all respects - low (up to 1.5 m), cold-resistant, does not require shelter for the winter, has beautiful and dense foliage of bright green color, in autumn it acquires an elegant orange-purple color.

Forms with thin drooping stems (F. hanging) are planted along the walls, along the perimeter of arbors, hedges, arches and let branches along the trellises.

Forsythia, care features:

To create comfort personal plot a private house is required not only to create beautiful flower beds, but also to plant ornamental shrubs. With their help, many problems are solved. From dividing the space of the garden into zones and filling the site flowering plants until it is surrounded by a green living fence.

Flowering beautiful shrubs

Using flowering shrubs is more interesting. Some of them have an amazing aroma and literally transform the garden. They can be used in mixed plantings, mixborders, along fences to create compositions that bloom all summer from different plants that replace each other in terms of flowering.

This list of flowering shrubs can include such plants:

  • Budley. It resembles a lilac, can grow up to three meters. Color shades: pink and lavender, purple and white, and white. These beautiful shrubs will decorate the garden all summer because they bloom until frost.
  • Bloodroot. An inconspicuous plant, blooms with numerous, but medium-sized flowers, the foliage is not particularly beautiful. Nevertheless, not a single shrub border or mixborder can do without Potentilla: while other shrubs fade in turn, it creates a bright spot in the garden. They have established themselves as shrubs that bloom all summer, winter-hardy, as they are not afraid of frost. Flowering begins in May and stops with the first frost. It is unpretentious to the soil, blooms well both in a sunny place and in light partial shade, care comes down to annual pruning. There are varieties of this continuously flowering shrub of different colors.
  • Calicant decorate the garden with original water lily flowers. This is a beautiful, hardy, but rare shrub from North America. The flowers are large with numerous petals. All parts of the garden plant are fragrant. Blooms in June - July. Requires pruning in the spring.
    • Bush rose. It varies greatly in the size of the bushes and the shape of the flowers. They bloom all summer or are characterized by re-blooming.
  • Caryopteris will add blue hues to the garden, as his brushes have just that color. It is a flowering shrub with a rounded crown for foreground curb. They are planted in groups. It is undemanding to the soil. Quite winter-hardy. Flowering time September - October. Need pruning shrubs in March.
  • cistus resembles in shape the flowers of poppies or non-double roses, sometimes with spots at the base of the petals. Flowers with paper-thin petals are short-lived. Each flower lives only one day, but since new buds are constantly appearing, the bush blooms all summer. The plant is warm and photophilous, forms a low rounded bush. Can't stand clay soil. Flowering time June - August. Pruning in spring.
  • Cletra alderleaf prefers moist soil. It gets along well along the edges of ravines and by the pond. This shrub requires almost no care. It quickly spreads throughout the territory provided to it. Its feature is that flowers appear only on young shoots. Therefore, it is recommended to cut it every year. It blooms in summer (July - August) with small fragrant flowers, collected at the ends of the shoots in long spike-shaped inflorescences. In autumn, the foliage of the shrub is brightly colored.

evergreen shrubs

With regular and correct pruning evergreen shrubs easily turn into a hedge or an unusual living sculpture that will become the center of a recreation area. To do this, it is enough to skillfully cut them. A list of what evergreen ornamental shrubs can be planted in the garden:

    • Holly. Not afraid of frost. Grows over a meter. The oblong leaves are studded with thorns. Therefore, it is unpleasant to approach him closely.
    • Yew. A slow growing coniferous plant, planted in hedgerows in mild climates. The usual color of the foliage is dark green, there are varieties with golden foliage, as well as various form growth - from ground cover to tall columnar trees. Better than many other conifers, it tolerates unfavorable growth conditions, but does not tolerate stagnant water at the roots during the cold season. The plant is dioecious, on females seeds are formed with a fleshy red roof up to 1 cm in diameter. Leaves and seeds are poisonous.
    • boxwood a popular shrub for hedges, including low, framing flower beds. It withstands frequent shearing and partial shade, is not afraid of the wind, and is undemanding to the soil. Keep in mind that boxwood is very easy to care for. He does not need annual pruning. Cut out only dry and thickening branches, and also shorten the elongated shoots.
  • Calmia it is a beautifully flowering shrub that pleases with its flowering in May - June. In a non-flowering state, Calmia is similar to a rhododendron, plants are easily distinguished by flowers. Kalmia has buds similar to Chinese lanterns, the edges of the petals are corrugated. Likes moist acidic soil and light partial shade.
  • - magnificent flowering beautiful shrubs, which also prefer to be sheltered from the midday sun. Traditionally, representatives of the genus are divided into rhododendrons and azaleas. Rhododendrons growing in the shade on average reach a height of 1.5 meters, bloom in May, however, there are plants of both 30 cm and 6 m, blooming as in early spring, and in autumn, in August. The color of the flowers is varied, with the exception of blue, the leaves are oval or oblong, wintering. All rhododendrons are characterized by shallow roots, so the soil under the plants is mulched, and watered abundantly in dry weather.
  • garden jasmine grows well in the sun and in the shade, but in the second case, its flowering will not be so intense. There are two groups of jasmine: bushy with weak stems, grown in wall plantings, and jasmine - vines that are able to climb the wall, support themselves. Flowering time depends on the species. Grow in moderately fertile soil in partial shade.
  • Privet tolerates polluted air well, so it is most often grown in the hedges of private houses that overlook city streets. There are variegated varieties. It is characterized by the fact that it does not endure strong winter frosts so it needs shelter. grows in any moderately fertile soil, in a sunny or shady place. propagated by lignified cuttings in open ground in late autumn. Of care, a haircut is required - hedges are cut in May and August.
  • - these are those decorative flowering perennial shrubs that are beautiful, low and frost-resistant. They are widely used in garden decoration, as they are represented by a large range of varieties. Very common and popular different kinds barberry. Barberry Thunberg grows up to 1.5 meters. The leaves of the shrub turn red in autumn, the berries ripen red. This beautiful shrub blooms in April - May.

fast growing shrubs

They are chosen by gardeners in the situation when hedge needs to be grown in a short amount of time. Often such landings are made combined of different types shrubs. In this case, you should carefully consider the issue of the future size of an adult plant and its relationship to a haircut.

The most popular of the fast-growing shrubs are:

  • dogwood and barberry;
  • vesicle Kalinolistny- unpretentious shrub with a rounded crown shape;
  • turn careful pruning is not needed, it is done only when denser vegetation is needed;
  • honeysuckle sanitary pruning is required in the first seven years, and then it remains only to form a hedge of the desired shape;
  • climbing rose, it is recommended to start forming it in the second year of growth in a permanent place.

A personal plot for many owners is not only land where fruits and vegetables are planted, but also a place of rest. Some make it a real work of art and such a garden pleases both its owners and their guests. This is helped by flowering perennial shrubs, which give the cottage a special look and create a unique atmosphere. Thanks to them, the territory is divided into zones, while the site looks well-groomed and cozy.

What are the shrubs

Hedges from various plants are obtained in a peculiar and bright way, the main thing is to choose them correctly. Shrubs are divided into two types:

  • Perennial (frost-resistant).
  • Annuals.

Depending on the purpose of planting a plant, a certain variety is selected. The owners of summer cottages want the flowering on the site to please the eye as long as possible. To do this, you should choose different shrubs. They are divided into several types:

  • decorative leafy;
  • blooming;
  • tall;
  • ground cover or low garden.

When choosing a plant, attention is drawn to the complexity of caring for it. Valued are those where it is not required special efforts for cultivation and a beautiful flowering appearance is preserved for a long time.

  • shrubs that

From March to May, many ornamental and fruit plants bloom, which tolerate frost well and are drought-resistant. The most popular of them among perennials are as follows:

When purchasing flowering shrubs for summer cottages, many factors should be taken into account so that they please the owners with magnificent flowering and beauty.

Features that you need to pay attention to when choosing plants:

  • climatic conditions of the region;
  • location (sun or shade);
  • soil type.

summer perennials

Shrubs that bloom all summer are very diverse. They delight with an abundance of flowering, enchanting aroma and most do not require special care. According to experienced site owners, the most popular of them are as follows:

In shaping the landscape of the garden plot, an important role is played by the competent location and combination of different plants. Properly selected flowering shrubs for the garden will delight the eye and decorate it from spring to late autumn. With the help of shrubs you can diversify garden landscape, divide the territory and introduce new accents into it. When choosing a plant, one should take into account its height, duration of flowering and planting characteristics of the shrub. Shrubs are in demand among gardeners, blooming in spring, as they decorate the site with their flowering, while other plants are just awakening.

Much when choosing shrubs depends not only on the preferences of the gardener, but also on the characteristics of the soil, climate and plants that are already growing on the site.

Japanese quince (Chenomeles)

Japanese quince is a low growing flowering shrub. This heat-loving plant feels good in regions with a mild climate, but can also tolerate frosts down to -30 ° C. Ornamental Japanese quince shrubs are used for lawns and borders.

Did you know? Especially often you can find low-growing creeping species that were bred specifically for rockeries and alpine slides. There are also hybrid forms for growing bonsai.


Quince is native to Japan and China. The plant is about 1 meter high, photophilous and undemanding to the soil. Shoots and branches in most hybrid varieties with thorns, but you can find quince with bare branches. The root system is powerful, with a long tap root, which allows it to tolerate drought normally. The shrub is photophilous, so it is better to plant it in well-lit areas. Flowers with a diameter of up to 5 cm, are placed along the length of the entire shoot, the petals are tightly pressed against each other. Japanese quince blooms in May-June, flowering period is 30 days. During this period, the shrubs have a beautiful decorative look and become the main coloring of the garden plot.

Quince begins to bear fruit at 3-4 years. The fruits ripen in September-October, they are pear-shaped, but more often they look like green or orange apples.

Buddley grows in the tropical latitudes of Asia, South Africa and America. Although she loves warm temperate climate, but can withstand frosts down to -20 ° C. In winter, the above-ground part of the shoots freezes over, but the next year new shoots grow up to 1.5 m long. The branches are green, thin, ribbed. The foliage is oval, dark green, up to 25 cm long.
Flowers can be purple, white, purple, depending on the type of buddleia. In care, the shrub is unpretentious. On dry days, it must be watered and fed during the flowering period. Before winter, sagging foliage and shoots should be cut off, the soil should be covered with peat and dry leaves. Buddley propagates by seeds or cuttings.

Weigela is a shrub from the Honeysuckle family. In our country, weigela is found early, pleasant and Middendorf. The shrub blooms twice a year: from May to mid-June and from late August to early October. During flowering, weigela is abundantly covered with flowers. She loves sunny areas or a little partial shade.

Important! Weigela flowers and leaves can be damaged by the wind, so it is best to plant the shrub in protected places.

Shrub care is easy. Cut off frost-damaged shoots, water on dry days and fertilize during flowering. The soil for planting choose loose and fertile.

Common heather can often be found on garden plots. This is a small shrub with narrow four-sided leaves. It grows up to 1 meter in height. Heather has many varieties that differ in the color of leaves and flowers. The goblet-shaped flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences. Heather blooms in July-August and pleases the eye with lush flowers until late autumn, so it is considered a shrub that blooms in autumn.
He loves acidic soil, sun and partial shade. Abundant watering should be carried out when heather blooms. In the northern regions, where winters are frosty, it must be watered abundantly before the soil freezes and shelters for the winter. It will be good if you mulch with leaves, chopped bark, sawdust or needles.

The shrub is propagated by air layering. To do this, before pruning, choose the longest branch and bend it to the ground, securing it with a hairpin. After a few months, the young heather is carefully dug up and transplanted to the chosen place.

Widely used in landscape design bindweed. These are perennial shrubs with long shoots (can reach 2 meters). Shoots creep or curl, creating a flowering canopy. The flowers resemble a bell in shape and are located on short peduncles from the axils of the leaves, 1-3 pcs. The color of the flowers is from snow-white to pale pink, blue, lilac, depending on the types of bindweed.
The shrub requires almost no care and normally tolerates drought and frost. But if you provide him with watering and fertilizing, you can achieve lush flowering throughout the summer period.

Did you know? Bindweeds require maintaining a distance of 20-25 cm to plants in the neighborhood, and between the shrubs themselves there should be 40-60 cm intended for filling the soil.

Convolvulus reproduces only with the help of seeds. Before planting, they should be germinated and ready-made seedlings should be planted.

Hibiscus belongs to the Malvaceae family. It is also known as Chinese rose.

Despite the abundance of hibiscus species, they all have common features. The leaves of the shrub are petiolate, notched. Flowers - large, simple or double, are blue, yellow, raspberry, dark red, lilac, purple and purple. There are flowers with a border around the edge. Fruits in the form of a five-leaved box with seeds.
In order for the hibiscus to feel normal, you need to regularly loosen the soil, remove weeds and thin out heavily thickened bushes. From June to autumn, fertilizing should be done twice a month. The shrub is propagated by layering, grafting, cuttings or seeds.

Hydrangea is a wonderful ornamental shrub or small tree with large bright inflorescences. Belongs to the Hortensia family and has about 70 - 80 species.
The leaves are oval, large. The color scheme is diverse: white, cream, pink, dark purple, blue and red. Inflorescences are in the form of an umbrella, panicle or ball. The fruits are in the form of a box, in which there are small seeds. Hydrangea shrub reaches 3 meters in height and has a round shape. Shrub care is easy. It requires watering soft warm water, autumn feeding, preparation for frost.

Jasmine (mock orange)

Garden jasmine, or mock orange, is often found in city parks and gardens. Many gardeners use it as a hedge. Shrub with small leaves, thin stems and small white flowers. Garden jasmine is a photophilous plant. In the shade, the flowers will become small, and the branches will begin to stretch. The fruits are small boxes with small shifts. The mock orange is frost-resistant and normally tolerates drought. Jasmine blooms from late May to August.

Potentilla is a low shrub up to 1.5 m in height. Potentilla flowers come in a variety of shades: pink, white, cream, orange, and yellow. The flowers are collected in thyroid-paniculate inflorescences that adorn the plant from May to September. All types of cinquefoil love well-lit places. The soil is suitable loose, nutritious, slightly acidic. Only arctic cinquefoil prefers acidic soil.

The genus Camellia has up to 80 species, which include evergreen shrubs and trees. The leaves of the shrub are a separate decoration. They are oval, pointed, fused at the base. Camellia blooms 2-3 years after planting. Flowers of various shades. Each flower does not fade for about a month. On this amazing shrub, flowers appear at the ends of the shoots. Camellia is a very demanding shrub, therefore, in order to grow it on the site, considerable experience and knowledge in the field of agricultural technology and cultivation of this crop will be required.
The shrub is propagated using cuttings, for which shoots of the current year are chosen.

Magnolia is an evergreen or deciduous ornamental shrub. It is often planted singly or in whole alleys. The flowers of the shrub are large, fragrant, white or cream, single-pointed. Petals are arranged in 2-4 circles. The fruits are a cone-shaped collection leaflet with small black seeds and a triangular shape.

Did you know? Magnolia flowers are pollinated by beetles because they bloom even before bees and butterflies appear. Although there is no nectar in the flowers, they attract with their delicate sweet aroma.

Magnolia loves abundant and regular watering, as well as well-drained soil.

Lilac is a genus of shrubs of the Olive family. The leaves of the lilac are opposite, mostly whole, but can also be pinnatipartite, falling in the winter. Flowers, depending on the species, are white, purple or pink, collected in panicles, which ends the branches. The calyx of the flower is small and short, bell-shaped in the form of four teeth. Corolla with a long cylindrical tube (rarely, in Amur lilac - with a shortened tube) and a flat four-part limb. The fruit is a dry bivalve box.
There are quite a few types of lilac, but common lilac is especially common. It is very hardy and resistant to diseases and pests.

Spirea belongs to the rose family. Spirea begins to bloom in early May. The flowers are small, with long filaments of stamens, due to which they become fluffy. The flowers are collected in inflorescences of a pyramidal, thyroid or cone shape. The color depends on the variety and can vary from white to pink.
During flowering, the bush becomes like a delicate cloud due to the many inflorescences, and the branches take on a spectacular hanging shape. For the growth of an ornamental shrub, loose fertile soil, a well-lit place without stagnant water and three times a day top dressing.

Often one hears an almost fantastic phrase from the owners of a young garden: I want a bright, varied garden, blooming and fragrant, but not requiring constant and vigilant attention, tedious care, daily weeding, loosening and endless transplants. Is it possible? Imagine yes. It is quite possible to organize such a dream garden with very simple means, and you won’t have to wait years for splendor, decorativeness and maturity. One has only to take a closer look at the bushes.

The modern assortment of ornamental shrubs is so large and varied that it allows you to have a beautiful, spectacular and at the same time low-maintenance garden. Shrubs are perfectly combined with each other, as well as with trees and most garden plants, and therefore their possibilities in garden design are practically unlimited.


Shrubs are decorative during the season for a very long time, and many are year-round. Even if the base color of the foliage is green, growing young leaves often have all sorts of hue variations (pink, reddish, purple, bronze). And in autumn, they amaze the imagination with a riot of red, orange and golden tones. Moreover, this effect varies markedly every autumn due to changes in temperature and humidity. Usually, after a dry and hot summer, the leaves turn color earlier, after a damp and cool summer they keep longer. green color. And if short-term moderate frosts have passed, then the palette of autumn leaf color is especially good and varied. And here you can already find not only yellow and red shades, but also pink, purple and even purple.



Many shrubs bloom so luxuriantly and spectacularly that they can argue with the best flowers. They bloom first mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium) and forsythia (Forsythiax intermedia, F. giraldii, F. ovata), a little later - the so-called japonica (Chaenomeles japonica, C. speciosa, C. xsuperba), some park roses (Rosa) and rhododendrons ( Rhododendron).



At the same time, spring-blooming spirea (Spiraea): gray (S. cinerea), Wangutta (S. x vanhouttei), sharp or jagged (S. arguta), nipponian ( S. nipponica), Thunberg(S. thunbergii ) and some other white-flowered species.


Blooms in the first half of May barberries (Berberis): ordinary (B. vulgaris), Amur (B. amurensis), Korean (B. korean), hybrid Ottawa (B.xottawensis) and Thunberg (B.thunbergii) - the most desirable, with numerous and unusually diverse varieties.


This is an incredibly attractive sight, especially impressive when mature, well-grown bushes are in bloom. At this time, as a rule, the leaves have not yet unfolded, and nothing prevents you from admiring the golden tassels that completely cover the falling branches. In some places, young leaves begin to unfold, highlighting the golden-yellow flowers with their bronze or reddish color.


Evergreen barberries bloom in separate, larger yellow flowers against the backdrop of tough, metallic foliage that has not yet lost its winter purple and gray hues. Barberry showed itself better than others among evergreens finely warty (B. verruculosa) Amstelven’.



Honeysuckle Tatar "Arnold Red"

Various flowers bloom at the end of May. viburnum(Viburnum), chokeberry(Aronia melanocarpa), bush honeysuckle (Lonicera) and of course, lilacs(Syringa), sung by nightingales. This is a long-awaited moment for all gardeners - spring is at its zenith, we are on the verge of summer, but still ahead. Long, joyful days, bright, warm evenings - I'm sure for many gardeners this is the most favorite time of the year.


The baton of lilac blossom is passed mock oranges(Philadelphus), and the enchanting aroma of our northern jasmine spreads throughout the gardens.


Blooming at the same time actions (Deutzia) and weigels(Weigela). These charming shrubs are still not very common with us, and many are afraid to start them. But among them there are quite stable ones in our climate, you just need to try to plant them in a quiet and calm place, on well-prepared, moderately nutritious soil.




The spring flowering of some shrubs is replaced by the summer flowering of others. Wonderful pink flowers bloom spirea (Spiraea): Japanese (S. japonica), Bumalda (S. xbumalda), a little bit later Billard (S. x billiardii) and Douglas (S. douglasii). The latter are interesting for their candle-shaped inflorescences, which differ in color intensity among varieties, and powerful bushes, from which dense living borders up to two meters high can be formed.


Spiraea Japanese "Shirobana" is notable for unusual inflorescences

But undoubtedly, not a single garden today is complete without varieties. Japanese spirea and its variety Bumalda. Even if we do not take into account the forms with colored and variegated leaves (they will be discussed separately), the Japanese spirea varieties differ in the size of the bush (from 20 cm to 1.5 m), the shape of the crown and inflorescences, and the intensity of their color. There is unique varieties, For example, Shirobana (synonym Genpei) - both white and pink inflorescences bloom on the bush at the same time, and Crispa stands out among all spireas with a carved leaf edge, which makes the bush look curly, and the inflorescences have a more pronounced carmine-pink color.


Spirea Bumalda "Crispa" stands out with a carved edge of the sheet

A feature and a clear advantage of summer-flowering spireas is their ability to bloom again after pruning. Therefore, when the first wave of flowering comes to an end, without waiting for the seed to set, it is necessary to cut off the tops of the shoots - new flower stalks grow from the axils of the upper leaves, and the spirea will bloom until the end of summer and autumn.


Stephanandra incised - creeping shrub with openwork foliage

Simultaneously with the "summer" spirea bloom stephananders (Stephanandra). Notched (S. incisa) and its variety Crispa- shrubs with small, strongly cut leaves and a creeping form of growth, and the species can rise to a height of 1 m or more, and ‘ Crispa ' creeps along the ground, not exceeding 40-50 cm in height, but still spreading its openwork branches up to 2 m in diameter.




Stephanandra Tanaki (
S.tanakae) forms a large bush with arcuate curved branches, growing over time up to 2 m in height and width. Both species have graceful loose inflorescences of light cream color. Often confused with Stephanandra Tanaka Neilia Tibetan (Neillia thibetica), the leaves of which are really a bit like the leaves of Stephanandra, but both the shape of the bush and the inflorescences are completely different. Neilia has narrow hanging tassels of pale pink flowers, and the bush, unlike Tanaka's Stephanandra, shoots underground stolons and spreads, which is not always pleasing in the garden.


Blooms around the same time. kolquitsia pleasant (Kolkwitzia amabilis) is indeed a very attractive shrub with hanging shoots, graceful leaves and exquisite flowering. Kolkvitia, planted in a quiet place protected from the winds, on fresh, loose soil, winters confidently and pleases with flowering, tolerates penumbra conditions.


Exochorda x macrantha "The Bride" is still a rare plant for our gardens

Increasingly, in the gardens can be found hybrid exochord (Exochorda x macrantha), which is usually represented by the variety The Bride.



In early June, Potentillas bloom, which have become very popular with gardeners. Sort "Goldstar"

In the first half of June, the so-called Kuril tea blooms. Varietal cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) today became regulars in the gardens middle lane. The varieties differ in the size of the bush (from 30 cm to 1.5-2 m), the size and color of the leaves and, most importantly, the color of the beautiful flowers. Potentillas bloom throughout the summer until cold weather with flowers similar to small roses (rose hips) from pure white to pink and red, all shades of yellow, orange, cream and peach.





In the summer they bloom enchantingly roses. Of course, these are the most beloved shrubs of all times and peoples. Today we have at our disposal tiny miniature roses, and a variety of ground cover, park, shrub and climbing, floribunda and hybrid tea roses. For every taste and for different purposes.


Nobody argues, the rose is the queen, and in any garden she will always find a place. But in the second half of summer and autumn, attention switches to lush hydrangeas ( Hydrangea). bloom first treelike (H. arborescens) Anabelle and Grandiflora with rounded, large caps of inflorescences, and a little later gain strength paniculate (H. caniculata).


And today their palette is especially interesting: white and cream Tardiva, Unique, greenish Lime Light and Silver dollar, pinkish Grandiflora and pink diamond, intense purplish pink Vanille Fraise. The shape and size of inflorescences in varieties differ markedly, often they reach 30 cm or more, but, for example, in Kyushu inflorescence loose, openwork, and Phantom - very dense. In new varieties, the emphasis is on each flower, as, for example, in the variety Great Star- extreme flowers are very large and look like a propeller.




Among the now fashionable heather group, which is still little known to our gardeners, there are miniature shrubs and large shrubs that bloom from snow to snow. In spring, flowering opens a variety of Erics (Erica), behind them and underline (Andromeda), wild rosemary (Ledum) and cowberry (Vaccinium), calcium (Kalmia), brukenthalia (Bruckenthalia), gaulteries (Gaultheria) and tabestia (Daboecia), completes flowering common heather (Calluna vulgaris), represented in gardens by hundreds of varieties.


It is impossible not to say enthusiastic words about fantastically beautiful flowers blooming in May-June. rhododendrons (Rhododendron).


For many of our gardeners, rhododendrons are still an unread book, because in our country there is no tradition of growing these shrubs. Fortunately, the experience of amateur enthusiasts convinces: very soon fabulously beautiful and unusually diverse rhododendrons will bloom in our gardens.




It is impossible to cover all of them in one article. flowering shrubs, which I would like to see in the garden, because today there are a lot of them. But even in addition to flowering, ornamental shrubs have unique and very important properties for the garden, which we will talk about next time.
Valeria Ilyina

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