There is no doubt about it – shrubs feature prominently in masterpiece landscapes. Throughout the changing seasons, they provide structure and charm with their eye-catching foliage and flowers, often accompanied by sweet, permeating fragrances.

With so many choices, how is one to know which are really the best shrub choices for your Main Line lawn and garden design? The Penn State Cooperative Extension says, “Carefully selecting shrubs for specific landscape function and characteristics with an eye toward adaptability to the site and future maintenance requirements can result in a collection that is aesthetically pleasing, functional, and long lasting.”

Judiciously chosen shrubs serve as:

• Border plants for garden, plaza and circulation areas
• Accent plants with seasonal color
• Screening for privacy within garden areas and at the yard perimeter

These shrubs are recommended for their hardiness, performance and curb appeal:

Camellia “Korean Fire” – Absolutely stunning and considered the hardiest of the species, this gem regales gardens with its beautiful evergreen leaves and bright red flowers which bloom from March to May. It can handle sub-zero temperatures and laughs off pests.

Royal Purple Smokebush – This visual treat is one of the best shrub choices for your Main Line lawn and garden design. The deciduous bush greets spring with lovely reddish-purple leaves, followed later in the season by contrasting dainty pink flowers. Autumn sees the leaves turning bright red before the plant goes dormant for the winter.

Hydrangea, the queen of the summer garden, is positively quintessential in elegance and old-fashioned landscaping charm.

Fothergilla – This shrub delights with its beautiful bottle-brush flowers of varying hues and sweet licorice fragrance, followed by a brilliant autumnal display. Easy care and versatility in the landscape are also key features in this splendid plant.

Hydrangea – The queen of the summer garden, this deciduous shrub, with its beautiful panicles of soft colors held over glossy green leaves, is quintessential in elegance and old-fashioned landscaping charm. With so many cultivars to choose from, one need never be without this wonderful garden shrub. This selection is from a list assembled by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many wonderful shrub choices for your Main Line lawn and garden design! Spring is a great time to decide which you want to add into your landscape, so start dreaming in “garden color” today!

In 2014, 2015, and 2016 Aardweg Landscaping of Newtown Square, PA  received the “Best Of Houzz” award forCustomer Satisfaction by Houzz. They also received the exclusive “Recommended” badge for top rated professionals on Houzz in 2015.

Schedule a complimentary on-site consultation with an expert Philadelphia landscape designer / Aardweg Landscaping, by calling 610.355.0703; or send an email using the website contact form.