A hedge featuring various types of flowering shrubs in bloom.

Woody Shrubs

Would you like to add a beautiful splash of color and texture to your garden? Look no further than ornamental woody shrubs! These stunning plants are incredibly easy to care for, boasting vibrant flowers during the spring months and providing gorgeous foliage throughout the rest of the year. Use our guides down below to choose the right varieties for your home garden and learn how to plant and care for them.

Must-Have Tips for Growing Inkberry Holly

A close up horizontal image of inkberry holly growing in the garden pictured in bright sunshine.

Inkberry holly is an evergreen shrub with small white flowers in the spring. By autumn, blue-black drupes, or berry-like fruits, make a late-season feast for foraging birds. Inkberry holly is easy to add to the landscape, especially with these tips for successful cultivation. Ready to grow your own? Read more.

How to Get Started with Your First Bonsai Tree

A close up horizontal image of a bonsai tree set on a wooden table with pruning tools.

Considering dipping your toe into the world of bonsai, or maybe you just picked up your first one at the store? You probably know there’s lots to do to keep your plant healthy, but growing your first bonsai doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You’ll be well on your way to creating a stunning display with these basics.

How to Grow Persian Shield, a Vividly Hued Foliage Plant

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of Persian shield plants.

Are you looking for a vibrant new plant for the house or garden that’s a cut above the rest? Consider Persian shield, a unique tropical variety with amazing, iridescent purple leaves. Learn all about this exceptional tropical plant in this guide. Read more now.

Gardeners, Beware! All Parts of Oleander Are Poisonous When Eaten

A close up horizontal image of pink oleander flowers pictured in light sunshine.

When you grow oleander in your landscape, beware! All parts of the plant, from roots to stems and blooms, are poisonous if ingested, with a potentially fatal reaction for people and animals. Learn more about oleander poisoning and what precautions to take when you grow and care for these shrubs in your garden. Read more.

An Intro to Bonsai Trees: Information for the Beginner

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Bonsai is where horticulture meets art, and practitioners strive to capture nature in a miniature display. If you’re new to bonsai, you might be curious about where it came from and what it takes to create your own. This guide will fill you in on everything a beginner needs to know to get started. Read more.

How to Grow and Care for Baneberry Shrubs

A close up horizontal image of a baneberry shrub growing in a garden border.

Baneberry offers beauty and elegance to a variety of landscapes in Zones 3 through 8. This low-maintenance ornamental can be used as a foundation planting, in a woodland border, or planted as an individual focal piece. Learn how to grow and care for your own perennial baneberry shrubs in this guide. Read more now.

How to Protect Camellias from Winter Cold Damage

A close up horizontal image of camellia plants covered in a dusting of snow.

The beloved ornamental camellia has been cultivated globally for ages and bred by experts so some varieties can withstand harsh winter conditions. But camellia types that thrive in warmer climates will need protection prior to the onset of winter temperatures and cold winds, to avoid dieback and damage. Learn more now.

7 Reasons Why Your Burning Bush May Not Turn Red

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of a burning bush pictured in evening sunshine.

Whether it appears alone, in groups, or as part of an expansive hedge, the burning bush is an autumn sensation. With its scarlet leaves burning brightly under the late season sun, it usually makes a dramatic statement. However, sometimes it isn’t as colorful as we’d like. Read on for seven reasons why this may happen.

How to Grow and Care for Burning Bushes

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of burning bush growing in the garden.

Burning bushes are deciduous shrubs that light up autumn landscapes with their scarlet foliage. However, in some states, non-native species have been declared invasive. Read on to learn how to grow burning bushes, and get a recommendation for a beautiful native variety to cultivate where non-native species are banned.

Troubleshooting Tips for Growing Camellias in Containers

A close up horizontal image of a pink camellia flower surrounded by green foliage.

Have you noticed that your potted camellia is losing leaves, dropping blooms, or generally looking unhealthy? There are several potential causes, but fortunately, most are easy to address when caught early and dealt with quickly. Learn about the most common problems and how to fix them fast. Read more now.

Easy Landscaping with Ornamental Grasses: Simple Tips for Carefree Success

Potted ornamental grasses. | GardenersPath.com

Hardy, long lasting, and carefree to grow, ornamental grasses are a mainstay in professionally designed landscapes. With a superb diversity of textures, color, shapes, and sizes they can add drama and flair, or subtle softness. Their applications in the garden are many, and they’re one of the best plants to bring out your inner designer. Discover for yourself how readily these plants will work in your garden with our best tips and tricks.

How to Grow Camellias in Containers

A close up horizontal image of a camellia plant with an abundance of pink blooms.

The “rose of winter,” camellias are well known for their winter blooms. But when you lack space in your yard or temperatures in your region dip too low, you might miss out – unless your camellia is in a container that can be moved indoors in cold snaps and pruned to keep it compact, opening up some new possibilities.

How to Grow Toyon (California Holly)

A close up horizontal image of a cluster of bright red berries of California holly (Heteromeles arbutifolia) pictured on a soft focus background.

Intrinsic cultural and habitat value shape the history of the California toyon plant. Small, white, rose-like flowers in summer lead to vibrant red berries in winter, providing abundant nectar and forage for pollinators and birds. Fire resistant and drought tolerant, this plant is a chaparral and oak woodland staple.

How to Grow and Care for Himalayan Honeysuckle

A close up horizontal image of the white flowers and dark purple bracts of Himalayan honeysuckle with foliage in soft focus in the background.

Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) is a low maintenance flowering shrub that produces edible berries in the fall. Its fragrant white blooms surrounded by deep purple bracts are a striking addition to the garden. Learn how to plant and grow Himalayan honeysuckle in this guide. Read more now.

How to Propagate Camellias

A close up horizontal image of the flowers and foliage of a camellia shrub growing outside a residence.

Camellias add fall, winter, and spring color to the landscape and shrubs have a variety of blossom forms and growth habits. There are six main methods of propagating these plants at home, including from seed, cuttings, layering, air layering, and grafting. Learn how to propagate camellias in this guide. Read more now.

The Full Spectrum of Buddleia: 17 of the Best Butterfly Bush Cultivars

A close up horizontal image of a bright pink Buddleia flower with a butterfly feeding from it pictured on a soft focus background.

Butterfly bush is a brightly colored, low maintenance shrub that lives up to its name by attracting a variety of pollinators to the garden. But did you know there are numerous cultivars available in a variety of colors and sizes to suit your backyard? Learn about 17 of the best Buddleia cultivars and choose your favorites.

How to Grow and Care for Chinese Lantern

A close up horizontal image of Chinese lantern (Alkekengi officinarum) growing in the garden in light evening sunshine.

Chinese lantern is a charming ornamental that will bring a touch of whimsy to your garden. The papery, red-orange husks of this perennial come into their full splendor in autumn, providing bright fall color, and can be used in bouquets or dried arrangements. Keep reading to learn more about growing Chinese lantern.

How to Grow Feverfew: A Medicinal and Visual Delight

A close up horizontal image of Tanacetum parthenium flowers growing in the garden.

Widely considered by herbalists to be a natural remedy for headaches, feverfew also happens to be an attractive landscaping plant. With white and yellow daisy-like flowers atop green feathery stems, this colorful herb is a fantastic addition to the garden. Learn how to plant and grow feverfew in this guide. Read more now.

11 of the Most Beautiful Camellia Varieties to Grow at Home

A close up horizontal image of a pink camellia flower pictured on a soft focus background.

Centuries after camellias were first brought from the wilds of Asia into the home garden, thousands of cultivars have been selectively bred for stunning blooms, cold hardiness, and specific growth habits. Which one will be a good fit in your garden? Discover 11 of our favorite camellia varieties and choose your favorite.

How to Grow Creeping Thyme as an Aromatic Ground Cover

A close up horizontal image of purple flowering Thymus praecox growing over a rockery.

With its dense, mat-like form, creeping thyme makes for a beautiful and aromatic living mulch between stepping stones. Come summertime, lilac flower clusters attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Drought tolerant, low maintenance, and edible, this plant is sure to put a smile on your face in any season.

7 Reasons Why Your Hydrangea May Not Bloom

A close up horizontal image of a flower bud on a hydrangea plant surrounded by foliage in soft focus.

Is there anything more disappointing than when it’s well into summer and your hydrangeas still aren’t blooming? In this guide, we’ll help you figure out what on earth went wrong, whether it’s a pruning issue or you have a light problem, and what you can do to fix it so you can enjoy those magnificent blossoms again.

5 Reasons to Rejuvenate Forsythia with Hard Pruning

A close up horizontal image of an overgrown forsythia shrub with bright yellow flowers pictured on a blue sky background.

Forsythia is a low-maintenance shrub that grows in full sun and average, well-draining soil. It’s famous for its bountiful yellow spring blooms. Depending upon the age and condition of yours, it may be beneficial to do a hard pruning. Read on to learn how to decide when this practice is the appropriate action to take.

5 Ways to Propagate Your Own Forsythia

A close up horizontal image of a forsythia hedge in full bloom in the spring garden, pictured on a soft focus background.

Forsythia is a deciduous shrub for USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8, best known for its yellow blossoms and for being one of the earliest spring bloomers. These grow best in locations with full sun and well-draining soil. Read on to learn how to propagate more from the ones you have, and fill your yard with springtime cheer.

5 Common Causes of Forsythia Leaf Yellowing

A close up horizontal image of forsythia foliage pictured on a soft focus background.

Forsythia is a deciduous woody shrub with bright yellow flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring. The foliage is lush and green, and for some varieties, the color bronzes in autumn. However, leaf yellowing during the growing season may signal trouble. Read on to find out what may be wrong and what you can do.

How to Grow and Care for Juniper Shrubs

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of a juniper shrub pictured on a soft focus background.

Hardy, reliable, and surprisingly multi-purpose, juniper shrubs are garden staples for a reason. They can stand up to brutal environmental conditions like drought and heat while providing food, medicine, and alluring visual impact. Learn how to grow this outstanding plant in your garden in this guide. Read more now.

How to Propagate Azaleas for Gorgeous New Shrubs

A close up horizontal image of azaleas blooming in the garden in a mixed planting with lawn in soft focus in the background.

Because hybrid cultivars don’t grow true from seed, three smart ways to increase and enjoy beautiful azaleas in your yard or garden is to multiply them vegetatively through cuttings or by stem or air layering. Learn how to propagate azaleas for gorgeous new shrubs in this step by step guide. Read more now.

How to Care for Cold-Damaged Forsythia

A close up horizontal image of the branches of a woody shrub covered in a layer of snow pictured on a soft focus background.

If your spring forsythia display isn’t up to par, it could be because the shrubs have suffered cold weather damage. Unusually low temperatures and frozen precipitation can wreak havoc on plant tissue. Read on to discover the warning signs and steps you can take to try to restore your forsythia to its former glory.

Grow Mountain Laurel for an Impressive Garden Landscape

A close up horizontal image of pink and white Kalmia latifolia flowers pictured on a soft focus background.

Mountain laurel is a low maintenance shrub with spectacular clusters of blooms each spring and attractive evergreen foliage. It can be incorporated into any landscape and is a perfect choice for woodland gardens, hedges, or foundation plantings. Learn how to grow and care for mountain laurel in this guide. Read more now.

5 Tips for Pruning Forsythia

A close up horizontal image of the bright yellow blooms of a flowering shrub in the spring garden.

The bright yellow blossoms of arching and upright forsythia varieties are springtime favorites. To keep yours in top form, it’s important to know when and how to prune them. Read on to discover 5 tips that will help you hone your skills and have bushes that are healthier and more attractive than you thought possible.

How to Plant and Grow Red Tip Photinia

A close up horizontal image of the bright red foliage of P. x fraseri growing in sunshine.

Red tip photinia is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with vibrant red and dark green foliage. Tough and vigorous, these ornamentals are easy to grow, and provide year round interest and functionality in the landscape as a hedge or privacy screen. Learn how to plant and grow red tip photinia in this guide. Read more now.

9 of the Best Varieties of Oleander Shrubs to Grow in Your Garden

A close up horizontal image of delicate white oleander flowers growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

Oleanders are drought-resistant shrubs with colorful blooms in shades of pink, red, or white. These robust plants thrive in poor soil and warm weather conditions. There are a number of different types available – from dwarf shrubs to large trees and hedges. Learn about 9 of the best oleander varieties for your landscape.

How to Manage Forsythia Gall Disease

A close up horizontal image of the bare branches of a forsythia shrub suffering from gall disease that creates unsightly cankers on the stems, pictured on a dark soft focus background.

Forsythia is a spring-blooming shrub that is best known for its profusion of bright yellow blossoms. While they are generally quite healthy, this sturdy and fast-growing shrub sometimes develops knobby bumps along its stems. Read on to find out what these unattractive growths are and why you shouldn’t ignore them.

11 of the Best Forsythia Varieties for Glorious Spring Color

A close up horizontal image of the bright yellow flowers of spring-blooming forsythia pictured in bright sunshine on a blue sky background.

Forsythia is a deciduous shrub with bright yellow flowers that have become synonymous with spring. One of the earliest bloomers, it is sure to chase the winter blues away. Learn about 11 of the best forsythia varieties and choose your favorites, for sturdy plants that will reward with vivid color for years to come.

7 Reasons Why Forsythia May Not Bloom

A close up horizontal image of the bright yellow blooms of forsythia pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

Forsythia is a vigorous shrub that is best known for having bright yellow blossoms in early spring, when most plants are still dormant. But what happens when they fail to bloom? Learn about 7 of the most common reasons why your forsythia may not bloom, and what you can do about it in this guide. Read more now.

21 of the Best Cotoneaster Varieties for Ground Covers, Hedges, and More

A close up horizontal image of red cotoneaster growing next to a path as ground cover.

Cotoneaster is a multi-season plant loved for its vivid fall colors, bright red winter berries, and wonderful versatility in the landscape. From ground covers to hedges to slope stabilizers and even bonsai, there’s a species suitable for most locations. Learn about 21 of the best cotoneaster varieties in this guide.

How to Grow and Care for Butterfly Bush

A close up horizontal image of a butterfly feeding on the nectar of a purple Buddleia flower pictured on a soft focus background.

Butterfly bush (Buddleia) is a colorful, low-maintenance perennial that attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Ideal for cottage gardens, beds, and borders, the cheerful, vibrant blooms grace the garden all summer long. Learn how to plant, grow, and care for butterfly bush in this guide. Read more now.

How to Plant and Grow Oak Leaf Holly

A close up horizontal image of the glossy green foliage of Ilex x ‘Conaf’ pictured in light sunshine and fading to soft focus in the background.

Oak Leaf holly is a hybrid cultivar with unique, shapely leaves and bright berries, that provides year-round interest to the garden. This stately, pyramid-shaped evergreen shrub is ideal as a specimen planting and can be pruned into a formal hedge or privacy screen. Learn how to grow Oak Leaf holly in this guide.

How to Change the Color of Hydrangea Flowers

A close up horizontal image of a flowering shrub growing in the garden with a park bench in the background, pictured in light filtered sunshine.

Certain species of hydrangea have the unique ability to change color from blue to pink and vice versa. With a bit of patience and diligent application of certain soil amendments, you can encourage your hydrangea flowers to change color. Learn why hydrangeas change color and how you can do it at home in this guide.

How to Grow and Care for Azaleas in Containers

A close up horizontal image of potted Rhododendron flowers growing at a plant nursery.

If you love the bright, elegant flowers of azaleas but don’t have room in your garden, why not try growing them in containers instead? You can also liven up your porch, deck, or patio with the luxurious bursts of color. Learn how to grow azaleas in pots and discover our top container-friendly cultivars in this guide.

Potted Bushes: How to Grow Shrubs in Containers

A horizontal image of a variety of different shrubs growing in containers outdoors.

Are you short on backyard space, or simply looking to add some zest to your patio display? Try growing shrubs in containers! Versatile and fun, your options for potted bushes are virtually endless. Learn all about growing and caring for shrubs in containers, and add a whole new dimension to your garden. Read more now.

How to Grow Flowering Quince for Early Spring Color

A close up horizontal image of bright red Chaenomeles flowers growing in the garden, pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

Flowering quince is an easy-care shrub that produces vibrant flowers in late winter to early spring. Shades of pink, red, orange, and white adorn the thorny branches, signaling the end of winter, and some varieties even produce edible fruit. Learn how to plant and grow flowering quince in your garden. Read more now.

23 of the Best Lilac Varieties to Grow at Home

A close up horizontal image of different colored lilac flowers in a wicker basket set on a wooden table and pictured on a soft focus background.

If you love lilacs you may not know that there are a number of different types, in shades of pink, purple, and white. Some boast delicate blossoms while others dazzle with double petaled blooms. There are majestic tree types and compact shrubs suitable for container growing. Discover 23 of the best lilac varieties now.

How to Grow and Care for Winterberry Holly

A close up horizontal image of bright red berries covered in water droplets pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

Nothing says winter cheer quite like the bright red berries of a winterberry holly, so why not try growing your own at home? Learn everything you need to know to add this beautiful woody shrub to your yard or garden, including some of the best uses for the deciduous perennial. Hint: holiday decor is top of the list.

23 of the Best Variegated Shrubs for Your Landscape

A close up horizontal image of a shrub with green and white variegated leaves growing in the garden.

Shrubs are plants that work hard to fill mid-height positions in the landscape. However, when they are not blooming or sporting autumn hues, they often fade into the background. Not so with variegated types. Read on to discover 23 of the best variegated shrubs that make a bold statement throughout the growing season.

How Cold Hardy Are Poinsettia Plants?

A close up horizontal image of the bright red bracts of a poinsettia plant pictured in a snowy winter landscape on a soft focus background.

Poinsettias are colorful tropical plants that add vibrant color to your holiday decor. But how cold-hardy are they? Whether you want to grow these winter-blooming plants indoors or out, you’ll need to know their cold limits. Learn more about poinsettia cold hardiness and in what areas you can grow them outdoors.

35 Favorite Poinsettia Cultivars for Your Home

A close up horizontal image of a variety of different colored poinsettia plants growing in pots pictured on a soft focus background.

From red to pink to green to yellow, poinsettias are available in a wide array of vibrant hues and a dazzling choice of intriguing patterns. We’ve made a list of 35 of our favorite poinsettia varieties including those in traditional holiday colors, and others that offer unique alternatives. Read more now.

How to Propagate Poinsettia Plants from Cuttings

A close up horizontal image of the bright red bracts of the poinsettia plant pictured on a soft focus background.

Want to grow your own poinsettias at home? Start with a live poinsettia plant and then follow seven steps for a brand new batch of beautiful, baby Christmas flowers. By taking cuttings from your established plant, you can grow others just like it. Learn how to propagate poinsettias from cuttings in this guide. Read more.

Are Poinsettia Plants Poisonous?

A close up horizontal image of a curious gray and white cat nibbling at a leaf of a Euphorbia pulcherrima plant on a dining room table. In the background is a windowsill with houseplants in soft focus.

Poinsettias have a reputation for being toxic, but are they really? These holiday plants are no longer considered poisonous, but they come with some serious safety concerns. Learn more about how to keep yourself, your kids, and your pets safe when these potentially irritating plants are in your home in this guide.

How to Grow and Care for Poinsettia Plants

A close up horizontal image of a colorful poinsettia with red and white variegated bracts and tiny flowers in the center, with white specimens in the background in soft focus.

When a bright poinsettia arrives in your home for the winter months, it’s time to celebrate! Not sure how to keep your plant happy? Whether you enjoy it just through the holidays, or you want to keep it as one of your cherished houseplants, your poinsettia needs proper care – and a little understanding. Read more now.

How to Grow Bay Laurel from Seed

A close up of a bay leaf tree with bright green leaves and fruit developing, with water droplets covering the foliage, pictured on a soft focus background.

Looking to grow bay laurel from seed? This guide will help you through the process of harvesting the seeds, encouraging them to germinate, and transplanting seedlings to the garden. We’ll also help you figure out what went wrong if you run into trouble. All you need is a little patience and this article to get started.

7 Tips for Growing Formal and Informal Forsythia Hedges

A close up of a hedge with bright yellow flowers, pictured in the sunshine on a soft focus background.

Forsythia is an ornamental shrub best known for having bright yellow flowers in early spring. Its serrated leaves are green in summer, turning bronze in fall. Grow it as an informal hedge with natural contours, or manicure it with regular pruning, for a more formal shape. Read our 7 top tips to grow forsythia as a hedge.

11 of the Best Cold Temperature Ornamental Plants for the Fall Garden

Close up of red berries from the winterberry holly covered in frost.

Do you mourn the loss of color when summer ends? Well, instead of living in the gray zone for six months, add some bold, vibrant color to the late season garden. We’ve rounded up 11 of the best ornamental plants that will add interest and vibrant hues to your fall garden. Join us now for a closer look.

Why Autumn is the Best Time for Planting Shrubs

Pyracantha or firethorn shrub with a colorful display of orange berries in the autumn.

When you feel that glorious nip in the air, you know it’s time for fall shrub planting. Head to the garden store, make some selections, fish out the spade from the toolshed, and give your bushes a tremendous head start — they’ll reward you beautifully come springtime. Get all the info now.

How to Grow Hydrangeas for Big Blossomed Beauty

Pink, purple, and blue hydrangeas in bloom in the morning sun.

Many of us know the familiar mophead hydrangea, and its pretty flowers. But did you know this beauty comes in dwarf, container-plant sizes to sprawling 50-foot vines? All have lovely, large flowers and most have good autumn color too. Interested? Then, here’s the details on how to grow hydrangea for your garden.

How to Grow and Care for American Beautyberry Shrubs

Now, on Gardener’s Path, learn how to grow the lovely shrub American beautyberry, native to the southeast US. You’ll love the fall and winter interest provided by the plant’s long, arching branches laden with clusters of bright purple berries, which attract many bird species, and are edible for humans, too.

How to Grow Turpentine Bush: the Desert Dazzler

Ericameria laricifolia or desert turpentine bush in full bloom with yellow flowers.

Pretty flowers aren’t just for areas with acidic soil, moderate temperatures, and bucketsful of rain. Now at Gardener’s Path, learn how evergreen desert dazzler turpentine bush contributes resplendent, deep-green needle-like leaves and showy, brilliant yellow blossoms to sophisticated Southwest landscapes.

How to Grow and Care for Sago Palm

Horizontal image of a green feathery cycad.

Learn from Gardener’s Path how you can add a dose of prehistoric drama to your landscape, home, or patio with sago, an ancient plant from Japan that looks like a palm but is actually related to conifer trees.

The 5 Best Shrubs for Hedges High and Low

Hedges can be used for privacy or to divide to spaces | GardenersPath.com

From a curtain of arborvitae around the pool to a knee-high boxwood square around the rose garden, hedging is a landscape technique that adds beauty and function to any garden setting. Discover the best plants to create privacy and define borders in this article from your friends at Gardener’s Path.

Native Vines for Your Landscape

Red trumpet creeper vines climbing a wall.

Vines are handy for trellis or lattice arbors, to trace up trees, or to decorate a mailbox. For many, the thought of planting a native vine in their landscape or garden is preferential due to their easy maintenance. If you are considering a native vine, then these profiles should give you a few choices to …

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