Flowering shrubs make a great addition to any Ohio landscape, adding color, height, and softness. But like all plants, there are some flowering shrubs that are better suited to your outdoor space than others.
If your landscape needs some definition and excitement, consider these five options — what we’ve deemed the best flowering shrubs for Ohio.
Flowering Shrubs in Northeast Ohio: 5 Options to Consider
1. Hydrangeas
Including hydrangeas in your landscape design adds color to your garden from mid-summer through the fall. What’s more, you can even dry the flowers and use them in arrangements and crafts to keep the flowers that bloom around even longer.
Hydrangeas are easy to grow if you plant them in moist, well-drained soil and give them partial shade. On the other hand, if you plant hydrangeas in a place where they receive full sun, their flowers may become scorched or bleached.
Source: Getty Images
From an aesthetic standpoint, hydrangeas are wonderful flowering shrubs for borders or as focal points for your flower beds. There are all kinds of cultivars that hold up well in Northeast Ohio, so you can choose from a variety of different sizes, different blossoms, and different colors.
2. Azaleas
Elegant azaleas bring a tropical look to your landscaping, as their flowers are both prolific and beautiful. Notably, azaleas come in a variety of colors, from subtle pink and white flowers to bright orange and yellow hues. Ohio is home to a couple of varieties of azaleas, but there are many more kinds that thrive in this area even though they are not native plants.
Source: Getty Images
Azaleas perform their best when they’re planted in acidic, nutrient-rich soil. It’s also important to mulch your azaleas to inhibit root rot and protect them from the cold winter. If possible, plant them where they’ll be sheltered from the winter winds.
3. Rhododendrons
Like azaleas, rhododendrons are showy and beautiful. When it comes to flowering shrubs for Northeast Ohio, rhododendrons are the cream of the crop. They are, however, a little bit fussy, so it’s important to take special care with their site selection and preparation.
Source: Getty Images
Rhododendrons grow best in sheltered sites that receive dappled sun in the summer and little wind. They should not be planted under a building’s eaves because the soil will likely be too dry. If you have a spot for rhododendrons on the north or east side of your home, plant a grouping and enjoy their luscious flowers.
4. Spirea
Most varieties of spirea bloom in the late spring to mid-summer. Spirea are among the easiest flowering shrubs to grow and they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can always find a variety of spirea to suit your needs.
Source: Getty Images
Spirea flowers come in pink, red, yellow, and white hues, and the shrubs themselves can vary from 2 to 10 feet tall and wide, so you’ll want to pay attention to the particulars of the variety you choose. Spirea flowers fall in cascades, giving them a romantic appearance.
5. Viburnums
Viburnums can serve all kinds of purposes in your Northeast Ohio landscape design. Some varieties are perfect for planting close to houses, adding color and focus to a home’s facade. Other varieties grow very large and work well for providing privacy or a colorful backdrop.
Viburnums are hardy and resistant to pests, which means you’ll have little ongoing maintenance to worry about. They also produce pretty fruits in the fall after they’re done flowering in the summer.
Source: Getty Images
While viburnums grow well in both the sun and the shade, they’ll blossom and fruit better when they receive plenty of sunshine.
Even the Best Flowering Shrubs for Ohio Need the Right Growing Conditions to Thrive
Understanding the growing conditions of blooming shrubs is key to helping them survive. If you plant them in an ideal location and properly amend the soil before planting takes place, your flowering shrubs will perform beautifully for you year after year. Then, when it’s time to enjoy the summer weather, you’ll always have lovely blossoms to admire throughout your landscape.
As a landscape design and maintenance company, Green Impressions understands how to not only successfully weave flowering shrubs in your Northeast Ohio landscape design, but also has the horticulture experience and expertise to help keep blooming bushes in Ohio healthy year-round. This includes following a proper water schedule to keep shrubs hydrated, as well as pruning the shrubs at the right times, with the right techniques.
Request a free consultation today to learn more about our design maintenance services.
