Names of Flowering Shrubs

Flowering shrubs are a diverse group, available in many shapes and sizes, with various bloom times and bloom colors, and requiring different site conditions.

Some spring-flowering shrubs have showy yellow, white or pink flowers. Unless otherwise noted, they grow best in well-drained soil.

Forsythia (Forsythia spp.) is a spring-blooming shrub that is deciduous, which means it loses its leaves for winter. It is easily identified by its bright-yellow flowers on its otherwise bare branches in spring. The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones for forsythia vary with the cultivar, as do the height and width.

The forsythia cultivar 'Sunrise' (Forsythia x intermedia 'Sunrise,' USDA zones 5 through 8) reaches a height and width of 4 to 6 feet. The cultivar 'Variegata' (Forsythia x intermedia 'Variegata,' USDA zones 5 through 8), however, grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide.

Although forsythia can grow in partial shade, its best flowering results from full-sun exposure. Forsythia can do well in average soil provided it is well-drained and moist.

Many of the witch hazel hybrid cultivars (Hamamelis x intermedia cvs., USDA zones vary with cultivar) have spiderlike, fragrant, yellow flowers in late winter to early spring. The cultivar 'Angelly' (Hamamelis x intermedia 'Angelly,' USDA zones 5 through 8) is a deciduous shrub with an upright growth habit, reaching 7 to 10 feet high and wide. It grows well in average soil in full sun to partial shade and exhibits colorful foliage in fall.

With white flowers in spring and red foliage in fall, 'Alice' oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice,' USDA zones 5 through 9) is another deciduous shrub that provides multi-season interest. It grows in full sun to partial shade in soil rich in organic matter, and it has an upright growth habit, reaching up to 8 feet tall and wide.

Dwarf flowering almond (Prunus glandulosa, USDA zones 5 through 9) grows well with full-sun exposure and in moist soil. Its cultivars have single or double, white or pink flowers in spring. It is deciduous and grows to a height of 4 to 5 feet and 3 to 4 feet wide.

'Pink Cloud' beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis 'Pink Cloud,' USDA zones 4 through 8) is a low-maintenance, deciduous shrub that reaches a height and width of 6 to 10 feet. In spring, it is covered in pink, bell-shaped blooms. Like forsythia, its best blooming occurs when it is grown in full sun. 'Pink Cloud' beautybush is useful as a hedge or screen, and it tolerates clay soil.

Both deciduous and evergreen azaleas (Rhododendron spp., USDA zones vary with cultivar) bloom in spring. 'Gumpo Pink' azalea (Rhododendron 'Gumpo Pink' and Azalea 'Gumpo Pink,' USDA zones 7 through 9) is a slow-growing evergreen that matures at 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. 'Gumpo Pink' does well in filtered sunlight and prefers moist soil with a pH level of 5.2 to 6.0.