SHRUBS IN NORTHEAST OHIO
Shrubbery plays an essential role in landscaping by adding structure, texture, and seasonal color. These versatile plants can create privacy screens, define borders, and enhance gardens and walkways. When placed strategically, shrubs soften hardscapes, provide year-round interest, and attract wildlife. Proper selection and placement improve both the appearance and functionality of outdoor spaces.
Below are some of the most reliable shrubs we commonly install throughout Northeast Ohio landscapes based on soil conditions, sun exposure, and long-term performance.
ORNAMENTAL GRASS
Ornamental grasses are perennials that come in a variety of sizes and types. Pampas grass is very popular in many landscapes and works well as a tall accent plant that fills larger areas. Meanwhile, bunny grass is a much smaller option that adds soft texture and detail to landscape beds.
KNOCK OUT ROSES
Knock Out roses are deciduous shrubs that are easy to grow and require very little maintenance. They bloom throughout the summer and are available in several different colors.
HYDRANGEA
Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that come in many different varieties. Most hydrangeas bloom during the summer, and different types offer a range of colors and growth habits. Many varieties perform well in full sun to partial shade and add strong contrast to landscape beds.
BARBERRY
Barberry is a deciduous shrub well known for its thorny branches and colorful foliage. It is available in several colors ranging from maroon-purple to bright yellow. Some varieties remain compact while others grow much larger.
WISTERIA
Wisteria is a flowering vine that produces cascading blue to purple blooms in the spring. It creates a dramatic effect when trained along fences, arbors, archways, or pergolas.
GOLDMOP CYPRESS
Gold Mop cypress is a low-growing evergreen with bright golden foliage and a soft mounded shape that works well as a ground-level accent plant.
BLUE GLOBE SPRUCE
Globe blue spruce is an evergreen from the spruce species. Globe blue is a slow growing plant that does well in full, partial sun. This plant brings a bright blue foliage to any landscaping bed.
BLUE GLOBE ON STANDARD
Globe blue spruce on a standard is an evergreen from the spruce family. This slow-growing plant performs well in full sun to partial sun and adds striking blue foliage to landscape beds.
GREY OWL
Grey Owl juniper is an evergreen shrub with soft, wispy silver-blue foliage. It looks especially attractive when planted in masses and becomes drought-tolerant once established.
HOLLY
Holly is a vigorous broadleaf evergreen shrub with deep green foliage that may produce red berries. Many people associate hollies with traditional holiday decorations.
FIRE CHIEF
Fire Chief arborvitae is a compact evergreen shrub with a rounded shape and yellow foliage that develops reddish tips in the fall. It is a slow-growing, low-maintenance accent plant.
DWARF MUGO PINE
Dwarf mugo pine is a slow growing evergreen. Mugo pine is a compact dark green plant that is used as an accent or mass planting in a landscape design.
BIRD’S NEST
Bird’s Nest spruce is a compact evergreen conifer with dense dark green foliage that naturally forms a nest-like shape.
VIBURNUM
Viburnum is a deciduous shrub that produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and attractive foliage throughout the growing season. Many varieties also provide fall color and berries that attract wildlife.
YEW
Yew is an evergreen shrub available in several varieties and commonly used in older landscape designs. It remains a reliable choice in modern landscapes due to its dense, dark green foliage and durability.
WHIPCORD
Whipcord is an evergreen arborvitae variety with unique string-like foliage that resembles dreadlocks. It is a newer ornamental plant that adds texture and interest to landscape beds.
BURNING BUSH
Burning bush is a deciduous shrub best known for its brilliant red fall color. It has green foliage during the summer months and grows quickly, making it a popular option where privacy or screening is desired.
SAND CHERRY
Sand cherry is a deciduous shrub that produces small white-pink flowers in the spring. Its maroon-purple foliage performs best in full sun and provides strong seasonal contrast in planting beds.
RHODODENDRON
Rhododendron is an evergreen shrub commonly used in both traditional and modern landscape designs. It is widely valued for its large showy blooms, which vary in color depending on the variety.
BLUE RUG
Blue Rug juniper is an evergreen groundcover from the juniper family. It spreads along the ground and works especially well when cascading over rock walls or when large-scale groundcover is desired.
WINE and ROSES
Wine and Roses weigela is a deciduous shrub that produces rosy pink flowers and dark burgundy foliage. It grows quickly and looks especially attractive when planted in groups or used as a screening hedge.
BUTTERFLY BUSH
Butterfly bush is a deciduous shrub that attracts butterflies, just as its name suggests. It grows quickly and produces cone-shaped flowers in multiple colors throughout the summer.
FINE LINE BUCKTHORN
Fine Line buckthorn is a deciduous columnar shrub with narrow greenish-yellow foliage. It is an excellent choice when vertical height is needed in a landscape design without taking up much width.
BOXWOOD
Boxwood is a hardy evergreen shrub with dense, compact green foliage. Several varieties are available, with Green Velvet being one of the most commonly used in planting beds due to its slow, controlled growth habit.
BLUE CHIP
Blue Chip juniper is an evergreen groundcover from the juniper family. It is similar to Blue Rug juniper but has a slightly fuller shrub form. Depending on the desired landscape look, it can be planted close together for groundcover or spaced farther apart for a more structured appearance.
EUONYMUS
Euonymus is an evergreen shrub available in several varieties. When planted close together, it can function as an attractive groundcover. It is available in solid green or variegated foliage, like the yellow green Moonshadow variety shown here.
SAYBROOK JUNIPER
Saybrook juniper is an evergreen from the juniper family with bright yellow foliage. It works well in locations where a larger accent plant will eventually be desired.
RED TWIG DOGWOOD
Red twig dogwood is a deciduous shrub known for its bright red stems and white-and-green variegated foliage. It performs especially well in wetter landscape areas.
FORSYTHIA
Forsythia is a deciduous plant that grows fast. It is good choice for a privacy hedge that blooms yellow in the spring.
MOTHER LODE JUNIPER
Mother lode juniper is a low growing juniper with a yellowish color. It creeps along the ground to give a nice accent amongst other plantings.
RUSSIAN SAGE
Russian sage produces soft lavender blooms and is a fast-growing perennial. It is an excellent choice for adding color and texture to landscape beds.
DWARF LILAC
Dwarf lilac is a deciduous shrub that produces fragrant lavender blooms in the spring. It is a great choice near decks and patios where its fragrance can be enjoyed.