From flowering to evergreen , these hardy shrubs render seasonal pastime and grain — without demanding unceasing fear .
While trimming is an annual task for many woody plants in the landscape , some low - maintenance bush do n’t demand pruning at all . In fact , these bush modernize the most pleasing form without any shearing or shaping . They ’ll grow easily , have refined forms , and in the main prosper without cut . And you ’ll be capable to use your pruning shears for more take in tasks , such as cutting a fragrance of flowers . Plant several of these easy - precaution , no - pruning - required shrubs , and you ’ll produce a luxuriant andwildlife - well-disposed landscape .
The very best direction to derogate pruning when planting new shrubs is to put the right plant in the correct place . Pay close aid to fledged industrial plant size . Pair your uncommitted planting space with a bush that has a mature size modest than the planting spot . Do n’t forget that nearby plants will grow and expand too .
Credit: Jerry Pavia
American Arborvitae
An easy - care and frigid large-minded evergreen shrub , American arborvitae(Thuja occidentalis ) makes an excellent hedge plant . It has a cushy texture and average green color . Its dense branching gives it a compact phase that does n’t call for pruning , although it can be sheared for a more shaped , formal appearance if hope .
Boxwood
Slow - growingboxwood(Buxusspp . ) is a complete nominee for the no - prune - needed club of low - alimony shrub . Boxwood is known for its compact development and petite evergreen leaves . Plant Turkish boxwood where it has spaceto expand to its ripe size of it and you ’ll enjoy these leisurely - care bush for years .
Boxwoodis a low - maintenance option for borders andhedges , but topiary shapes demand more elaborate pruning .
Dwarf Conifers
Year - daily round color and interestingness make gnome conifers a valuable part of any planting — from entryway gardens to scurvy maintenanceshrub borders . There are many smorgasbord ofdwarf coniferous tree , and most top out at less than 5 foot marvelous and wide , growing just a few column inch each class . For an vertical , cone-shaped structure , a dwarf Alberta spruce ( Picea glauca ' Conica ' , bear witness here ) may be a good fit . For a more rounded course with a cool blue hue , try out dwarf globe blue spruce ( Picea pungens’Globosa ' ) .
Use dwarf coniferous tree to supply texture and year - round interest torock gardens , containers , or small spaces like patios and terraces .
Indian Hawthorn
Denny Schrock
Indian hawthorn(Rhapheolepis indica ) is an excellent evergreen bush for use as a hedgerow plant or an accent in a shrub mete in places with modest winters . After flower for many weeks in late winter to early natural spring , it takes a break until uncover a Modern circle of flowers in fall . Two humiliated - maintenance bush that are long - blossom varieties prized for their small size of it ( 2 - 4 human foot tall ) are ' Eleanor Taber ' or ' Ballerina . '
Inkberry Holly
A slow - produce bush with evergreen leafage , inkberryholly(Ilex glabra ) is native to easterly North America . In the fall , pocket-size black berries form on distaff plants , attracting birds . Newer cultivar , such as ‘ Nordic ’ and ‘ Gem Box ’ , have dense maturation habits , make lush , pear-shaped orbs in the landscape painting year - round without the need for pruning .
Plant both male and female plant if you need berries .
Meyer Lilac
A thickset version of the rangytraditional lilac , Meyer lilac ( Syringameyeri)is a round , slow - growing , scummy - criminal maintenance bush that boast dense clusters ofviolet - purpleness flowersin the spring . The flower clusters fade and seemingly disappear into the fresh dark-green foliage .
Though not evergreen , it ’s highly disease - resistantand blooms reliably .
Rose of Sharon
Popular with bee and hummingbirds , go up of Sharon(Hibiscus syriacus ) is asummer - blooming shrubloaded with expectant flowers from midsummer through rime . Plant this low - maintenance shrub where it can expand to 10 to 12 understructure magniloquent and 4 to 6 foot extensive .
Viburnums
There are many varieties ofviburnumsto choose from . Generally , Viburnum have an erect , on the loose riding habit and originate 6 to 12 metrical unit or more tall . Viburnum are prized for their springiness bloom , summer or declension berry , and colorfulautumn foliage . Korean spice ( Viburnum carlesii , indicate here ) and burkwood genus Viburnum ( Viburnumxburkwoodii ) are delightfully fragrant species .
A Shrub for Every Garden
These low - maintenance shrubs thrive in a potpourri of grow conditions . From heat to drought to wet planting site , there ’s a bush for nearly every growing challenge in this list . Plant these shrubs where they can expand to their mature sizing , and there will be no need to prune them aside from bump off beat , morbid , or broken branch occasionally .
“ Ilex glabra . ”North Carolina Plant Toolbox Extension Gardener .
“ Syringa meyeri . ”Ohio State University .
Credit: Bob Stefko
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Kindra Clineff
Credit:Denny Schrock
Credit: Denny Schrock
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Jerry Pavia
