Many shrubs bloom in early spring, during the spring and summer, and the last ones in early fall. You can choose from different sizes, colors, or even fragrances. Now is a good time to plant them. Which species are the most beautiful and at the same time require low-maintenance?
A flood of flowers can delight you in spring. Several beautiful and authentic flowering shrubs, such as the Guelder rose (viburnum opulus) and Roseum, flourish in our region. The white spherical flowers resemble hydrangea. It is a robust up to 2.5 m tall growing shrub that stands out in the background of flower beds, at fences, and in front gardens. In a sunny or semi-shaded place, it will quickly grow and form dense vegetation, decorated with a large flood of flowers every year. It is easy to care for and is also suitable for beginner growers.
Spring Beauties
Other great species include the Japanese kerria (Kerria japonica) and its variety, Pleniflora. It attracts with beautiful deep yellow flowers and mesmerizes with green glossy branches. Like a guelder rose, it can grow to 2.5 m. The flowering quince is slightly lower. More species are cultivated, especially the Mauel’s quince (Chaenomeles japonica), typical in Slovak gardens. The advantage of this shrub, in addition to abundant flowering (pink or brick-red flowers), is tolerance to polluted urban air and decorative fragrant fruits. A large number of flowers will decorate this shrub every April to May. It belongs to species that do not require regular cutting. However, reserving enough space for it is important, as it tends to expand. A spring classic is a forsythia (Forsythia intermedia), often called the Easter tree. It belongs to low-maintenance deciduous shrubs. It stands out independently and in groups with other shrubs, but you can also try to grow it as a wild or shaped hedge. Less common in our gardens is deutizia.
There are more species and varieties of this low-maintenance plant. The shrubs have charming fragrant flowers with simple or multiple white or pink petals. You can choose lower or higher species. The shrub will appreciate plenty of sun and stand out in both the urban and rural gardens. Weigela is not commonly grown in Slovakia but is the most grateful shrub. Recently, it has again become one of the popular garden shrubs. You can choose from several types and varieties. The flowers of this woody plant are trumpet-shaped, white, pink, or burgundy. In addition to beautiful flowers, some representatives also offer decorative leaves in white or dark colors. Weigela will appreciate plenty of sun and nourishing soil. If it is regularly cut, it will delight every year with abundant blooming flowers that attract many useful insects. In spring, lilacs can embellish, color, and scent your garden. In addition to the most cultivated species, it is also worth trying the most demanding Meyer lilac (Syringa meyeri). Although it has smaller but lavish flowers that are very fragrant.
Summer Carnival
A lot of nice and low-maintenance shrubs also bloom during the summer. In late spring and early summer, the exotic sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) tempts with burgundy-red flowers with a spicy aroma. Later in the summer, the common hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus) blooms. The funnel-shaped flowers of this tree are either white, purple, or pink, with simple and even multiple petals. This shrub will be happy in sunny and warmer gardens, and you can grow it not only in the shape of a bush but also in a smaller tree. Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) can also be a gem of a sunny flower garden. It attracts with long, most often pink or purple, sweet-smelling flowers that intensely attract butterflies.
Text: Daniel Košťál, photos: Pexels
