Whether you’re a new homeowner or simply looking to breathe new life into your garden, choosing the right shrubs to plant in your yard can be a daunting task. With the harsh winters and fluctuating temperatures of Northeast Ohio, selecting the right plants is crucial to ensure your garden blooms beautifully year-round. Here are our top picks for the six best shrubs to plant in your Northeast Ohio landscaping.
1. Winterberry Holly
This native shrub’s bright red or orange berries add a pop of color to the winter landscape, making it a popular choice for homeowners in Northeast Ohio. Winterberry Holly is low-maintenance and requires no pruning, making it an easy addition to any garden. Be sure to plant both male and female varieties to ensure cross-pollination for abundant berry production.
2. Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
This hardy shrub boasts stunning purple foliage that lasts all season long. In the spring, the Purple Leaf Sand Cherry bursts with fragrant white or pink flowers. Once established, this shrub requires minimal maintenance and prefers a well-drained soil and full sun exposure.
3. Weigela
These deciduous shrubs produce trumpet-shaped flowers in a range of colors, including pink, red, and white. Weigela is easy to care for, with a preference for full sun or partial shade. Prune the bushes annually to promote new growth of colorful foliage and flowers.
4. Blue Muffin Viburnum
This compact shrub produces beautiful white flowers in spring. In the fall, its green leaves turn a stunning burgundy shade. The Blue Muffin Viburnum requires well-drained soil and prefers full sun or partial shade. Pruning is minimal but can be done to maintain the shrub’s shape.
5. Hydrangea
These hardy shrubs produce large, showy blooms in shades of blue, pink, or white. Hydrangeas prefer partial shade and well-draining soil. They are low maintenance and require annual pruning in early spring to promote new growth.
6. Dwarf Alberta Spruce
This evergreen shrub adds year-round interest to any garden with its compact, conical shape. Dwarf Alberta Spruce prefers a well-draining soil and full sun exposure. No pruning is required but keep an eye out for spider mites, which are a common pest on this shrub.
Spruce up Your Outdoor Space with TW Landscape
If you’re located in northeast Ohio, reach out to the pros at TW Landscape to schedule a design consultation for your next front or backyard renovation project.