If you have a small garden or are simply looking for plants to border beds, then hardy dwarf shrubs are a good choice for you. The bushy plants remain small even when fully grown and also thrive in pots.
Dwarf shrubs are of great value to garden landscapes. They are perfect for compact gardens where space is limited. Whether in pots, in the front garden or simply between the larger bushes, the small plants can enhance any area. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best hardy dwarf shrubs to plant in your garden.
One way to simplify landscaping while increasing your home's curb appeal is to opt for low-growing shrubs that remain compact. The advantage of small, hardy shrubs is that they require little care and no pruning. They are also a good choice for flower beds to add texture and color and require very little space to thrive. Whether you're looking for colorful blooms or fabulous foliage, here are 5 of our favorite dwarf evergreen shrubs chosen specifically for small gardens.
Rock Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster)
The rock cotoneaster is a small, creeping, evergreen shrub that is very easy to care for and grows up to 1 m high and 2 m wide. Its dark green, glossy leaves are smaller than a fingernail and turn reddish in autumn. It produces white and pink flowers in spring and spectacular red berries in autumn. Thishardy dwarf shrubis excellent for planting in the garden, where its fruits are eaten by birds until late winter and attract beneficial insects.
Whether planted as a ground cover, in the front yard or in containers, this low-growing plant prefers good drainage and a shady location. It should be watered regularly for the first two years, after which it is considered drought tolerant.
The rock cotoneaster can be planted outdoors from October to May.
Box-leaved barberry
Native to Chile and Argentina, box-leaved barberry is an attractive, hardy, evergreen shrub that only grows to 60 cm tall. It has leathery, dark green foliage and blooms profusely in yellow and orange in spring with a sweet scent. Its flowers not only add color to the landscape, but are also an attraction for bees.
This wintergreen plant is perfect for small gardens, low hedges, bordersand grave planting andis best planted in small groups. It requires little care, grows slowly and is drought tolerant, but does not like soil that is too alkaline and has a high pH value.
The plant can be planted in containers all year round, but in the garden only when the ground is not frozen and the summer heat has passed.
Kleine Blauraute (Lacey Blue)
The small, hardy blue rue is so robust that it is resistant to drought, heat and poor soil. Thanks to its aromatic foliage and woody stem, it is rarely attacked by pests. Their long flowering period, from midsummer to autumn, makes them an extremely valuable addition to the garden, even in winter, when the silvery stems form a beautiful focal point in the garden. The beautiful, blue-violet flowers attract beneficial insects and their pleasant aroma will enchant you.
This dwarf shrub grows up to 50 cm tall and is perfect as a companion plant for roses and other plants in the flower bed. It thrives best in sunny locations, but can also grow in a container. The ideal planting time is from May to September.
Japanese Azalea (Canzonetta)
The Japanese azalea is known for its lush blooms. Their beautiful flowers in pink, purple, red and white and their small size (up to 50cm tall depending on the species) make them a popular choice for the front garden or flowerbed. But it is also ideal as a container plant for the balcony or terrace. Just make sure you choose a wide container and cut back the branches after flowering to keep your plant small.
Plant in the garden in early spring, possible in pots until late summer, but if the temperatures are not hot.
Yellow-colored creeping spindle (Emerald Gold)
The yellow variegated creeper is a versatile evergreen shrub with oval, golden yellow leaves that turn to shades of red and pink in winter, making it a great choice for adding some color to the garden in winter. Its small, green flowers appear in clusters between May and June.
The plant is perfect for a low hedge or as a ground cover, solitary shrub in the gardenand as a container plant.
The yellow-colored creeper grows up to 1 m high and up to 1.5 m wide and takes around 5-10 years to reach its full size.
If you have a small garden and are worried that shrubs can get too big and outgrow the small space, then these 5 hardy dwarf shrubs are for you.
