Busy gardeners can choose from a number of easy to grow shrubs. These include the following.

The Hollies

There are an amazing number of holly species that are cultivated. A few are
trees, while the rest are shrubs. These can be evergreen or deciduous.

Many of the hollies have spectacular crops of fruits with the winterberry being an example. Generally, both a male and female plant are needed for fruit production.

These shrubs are suited to full sun and part shade. Generally, they prefer a moist, rich soil. The plants can be used as hedges, screens, specimens, mixed borders, and foundation plantings. Hollies are tolerant of pruning.

Hardiness and size varies widely according to the species or cultivar. There is a holly for about every type of growing condition and soil type. The evergreen ones tend to be slow growing.

Some hollies have prickly leaves, while others are spine-free. The evergreen types with berries tend to be some of the most popular types. However, the deciduous ones are versatile enough to fulfill many garden needs.


Oakleaf Hydrangea

Of all the hydrangeas, this is by far my favorite species. Hardy to zone 5. the deciduous shrub is native to the Southeast. If the top is killed back by winter weather in colder areas, the plant will usually grow back from the roots.

It grows to bout 6 feet or so in height to form a round broad shrub. The reddish twigs are hairy.

As the common name and Latin name state, the lobed leaves resemble those of the oaks. This plant is quite attractive even when it isn’t in bloom.

The coarse leaves turn a lovely red or scarlet in the fall. During late spring throughout the summer, this hydrangea bears white blossoms held in pyramidal clusters, up to 10 inches wide. Later in the season, the flowers turn purple to pink. The flower clusters contain both sterile and fertile blooms. The plant is native to the South.

Many cultivars of this species are available with some being 20 feet or so wide, while others are much smaller—only 4 feet or so.

Oakleaf hydrangea can be used for borders, accents, and mass plantings. These shrubs experience few problems. Prune to remove any dead stems.


Rose of Sharon

Depending on the variety, this can be a small tree or shrub. Tolerant of frost, the plant can be larger in warm climates.

Up to 10 feet or so in height, it is half as wide. This species can be trained as a single trunk tree. Mature plants are open and spreading.

Rose of Sharon leafs out late in the spring. The toothed leaves are unlobed and up to 7 inches long. The plant is grown mostly for the hollyhock-like blossoms. These can be single, double, or semi-double, according to the cultivar. They can have purple or red throats. The flowers are 4 to 6 inches wide. These are solitary mostly n the upper leaf axils.

Rose of sharon blossoms are very showy. They’re typically red. In some varieties, they can also be apricot-white, yellow, or pink-salmon. The petals can be fringed or cut. The plant bears egg-like beaked fruits.

The plant can withstand heat and drought. It is adapted to most soils provided they’re well drained. Japanese beetles can sometimes be a problem on this species.