Different ornamental shrubs to choose from for your garden

Give your garden character and colour play with beautiful ornamental shrubs all year round
Outside
Outside
2 min
Get inspiration to choose the right ornamental shrubs for your garden. The article provides an overview of different types, expressions and characteristics, so you can create a beautiful and harmonious garden all year round.
Meera Mukherjee
Meera
Mukherjee

Different ornamental shrubs to choose from for your garden

Give your garden character and colour play with beautiful ornamental shrubs all year round
Outside
Outside
2 min
Get inspiration to choose the right ornamental shrubs for your garden. The article provides an overview of different types, expressions and characteristics, so you can create a beautiful and harmonious garden all year round.
Meera Mukherjee
Meera
Mukherjee

Ornamental shrubs can transform any garden into a vibrant and atmospheric outdoor space. They come in many shapes, colours and sizes – from flowering varieties that brighten up the spring to evergreen shrubs that provide structure and colour during the winter months. Whether you want a romantic look, a modern garden or simply more variety in your planting, there are ornamental shrubs to suit your purpose.

In this article, you’ll get an overview of different types of ornamental shrubs and their characteristics, so you can find inspiration for which plants can bring life and harmony to your garden.

The article presents a wide selection of ornamental shrubs that represent different styles, growth forms and levels of maintenance. The aim is to provide a versatile picture of the options you have when choosing planting for the garden. The information about the shrubs is based on descriptions from producers and retailers and is summarised to provide a clear and informative overview.

1
The garden in bloom
Bridal Wreath Spirea
Bridal Wreath Spirea is a deciduous ornamental shrub with dense branching, white flowers in May, and beautiful autumn colours. It is suitable both as a free-standing shrub and as a hedge plant in sun or partial shade.
Why it was chosen: Bridal Wreath Spirea was selected as a representative of the classic, hardy spirea species that combine abundant flowering with low maintenance requirements. It is suitable for comparison with other ornamental shrubs used as hedges or solitary plants in British gardens.

Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spiraea x vanhouttei) is a medium to large shrub with an upright to spreading growth habit and many thin branches, giving the plant a light and elegant appearance. It typically grows to about 1.5–2 metres tall and 0.9–1.2 metres wide.

In May, the shrub is covered with a wealth of small, white flowers that sit closely together in round clusters along the young branches. The flowers have a light fragrance and create a striking, bright expression in the garden. After flowering, small, dry seed capsules develop, which remain in clusters.

The foliage consists of small, lobed green leaves with serrated edges. In autumn, the leaves turn golden to orange shades, giving the shrub decorative value throughout the season.

The plant thrives best in sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. It is fully hardy and tolerates pruning, making it suitable both as a free-standing shrub, in groups, or as a clipped hedge. When planting, watering and possible soil improvement are recommended to ensure good establishment.

  • Abundant flowering: Covered in May with many small, white flowers in dense clusters.
  • Decorative foliage: Green leaves with beautiful golden to orange autumn colours.
  • Versatile use: Suitable as a hedge, in groups, or as a solitary plant.
  • Hardy and easy: Thrives in most soil types and requires only limited care.
  • Growth habit: Upright and well-branched with many thin branches.

Pros and cons

  • Abundant flowering and decorative throughout the season
  • Tolerates pruning and can be shaped as a hedge
  • Hardy and easy to grow
  • Beautiful autumn colours
  • Untrimmed hedges can become wide and require space
  • Performs poorly in waterlogged soil
  • Requires watering during the establishment phase

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Abundant flowering and decorative throughout the season
  • Tolerates pruning and can be shaped as a hedge
  • Hardy and easy to grow
  • Beautiful autumn colours

Cons

  • Untrimmed hedges can become wide and require space
  • Performs poorly in waterlogged soil
  • Requires watering during the establishment phase

Pros

  • Abundant flowering and decorative throughout the season
  • Tolerates pruning and can be shaped as a hedge
  • Hardy and easy to grow
  • Beautiful autumn colours

Cons

  • Untrimmed hedges can become wide and require space
  • Performs poorly in waterlogged soil
  • Requires watering during the establishment phase
Pros: The plant is abundantly flowering and decorative throughout the season, tolerates pruning and can be shaped as a hedge, is hardy and easy to grow, and develops beautiful autumn colours.
Cons: Untrimmed hedges can become wide and therefore require good space, the plant performs poorly in waterlogged soil and needs watering during the establishment phase.
Pros: The plant is abundantly flowering and decorative throughout the season, tolerates pruning and can be shaped as a hedge, is hardy and easy to grow, and develops beautiful autumn colours.
Cons: Untrimmed hedges can become wide and therefore require good space, the plant performs poorly in waterlogged soil and needs watering during the establishment phase.

Specifications

  • Botanical name: Spiraea x vanhouttei
  • Type: Deciduous ornamental shrub
  • Height: approx. 150–200 cm
  • Width: approx. 90–120 cm
  • Flowering: May–June
  • Flower colour: White
  • Leaf colour: Green, with golden to orange autumn colours
  • Growth habit: Upright and well-branched
  • Light conditions: Full sun to partial shade
  • Hardiness: Fully hardy
  • Use: Hedge, groups, free-standing shrub
  • Planting density as hedge: approx. 3 plants per linear metre
  • Soil type: Most well-drained soils
  • Fertiliser level: Medium
2
Spring-filled elegance
Star Magnolia
The star magnolia is a deciduous ornamental shrub or small tree, characterised by its early, white star-shaped flowers and its compact, rounded growth form.
Why it was chosen: The star magnolia was selected as a representative of early-flowering magnolia species that combine decorative flowering with robust growth and are suitable for both gardens and parks.

The star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is a slow-growing shrub or small tree with a broad, rounded, and often multi-stemmed growth form. It typically reaches 2–3 metres in height and about the same in width.

In March and April, the plant is covered with many white, lightly scented flowers with star-shaped petals that appear before the leaves. After flowering, large, matte green leaves develop, giving a fresh appearance throughout the summer.

In autumn, the leaves turn a light yellow colour before falling off. The plant thrives best in sheltered locations and in deep, humus-rich but well-drained soil. It tolerates both sun and partial shade but should not be too exposed to wind.

The star magnolia is often used as a solitary plant or as part of an ornamental shrub planting, where it contributes early flowering and a harmonious appearance throughout the growing season.

  • Early flowering: White, star-shaped flowers in March–April before leaf emergence.
  • Decorative growth form: Broad, rounded, and often multi-stemmed shrub or small tree.
  • Summer and autumn interest: Matte green leaves in summer and light yellow autumn colours.
  • Placement: Thrives best in shelter, in sun or partial shade, in well-drained and nutrient-rich soil.
  • Suitable use: Ideal as a solitary plant or in ornamental shrub borders in gardens and parks.

Pros and cons

  • Early and striking flowering
  • Lightly scented flowers
  • Decorative throughout the growing season
  • Suitable for smaller gardens and parks
  • Should be planted in shelter to avoid damage from wind and frost
  • Slow-growing and requires patience before reaching full size

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Early and striking flowering
  • Lightly scented flowers
  • Decorative throughout the growing season
  • Suitable for smaller gardens and parks

Cons

  • Should be planted in shelter to avoid damage from wind and frost
  • Slow-growing and requires patience before reaching full size

Pros

  • Early and striking flowering
  • Lightly scented flowers
  • Decorative throughout the growing season
  • Suitable for smaller gardens and parks

Cons

  • Should be planted in shelter to avoid damage from wind and frost
  • Slow-growing and requires patience before reaching full size
Pros: The plant flowers early and strikingly with lightly scented flowers, is decorative throughout the growing season, and is well suited for smaller gardens and parks.
Cons: It should be planted in shelter to avoid damage from wind and frost, and as it grows slowly, patience is required before it reaches its full size.
Pros: The plant flowers early and strikingly with lightly scented flowers, is decorative throughout the growing season, and is well suited for smaller gardens and parks.
Cons: It should be planted in shelter to avoid damage from wind and frost, and as it grows slowly, patience is required before it reaches its full size.

Specifications

  • Botanical name: Magnolia stellata
  • Type: Ornamental shrub / small tree
  • Height: 200–300 cm
  • Width: 200–300 cm
  • Flowering: March–April
  • Flower colour: White
  • Leaf colour: Green, light yellow in autumn
  • Flower size: 10–12 cm
  • Fragrance: Yes
  • Growth form: Upright, broad, and rounded
  • Growth rate: Moderately growing
  • Placement: Sun / partial shade
  • Soil type: Deep, humus-rich, and well-drained
  • Hardiness: Fully hardy
  • Use: Gardens and parks
3
Romantic garden atmosphere
Snowball
Snowball is a deciduous ornamental shrub with large, white, spherical flower clusters and a broad, arching growth habit. It thrives in ordinary garden soil and is suitable as a specimen plant or in groups.
Why it was chosen: Snowball was selected as a representative of classic ornamental shrubs that combine decorative flowering with robust growth. It is an example of a hardy and versatile garden plant that suits many types of gardens.

Snowball, botanically known as Viburnum opulus 'Roseum', is a broad and stiff-branched shrub with arching branches. It typically grows 2–3 metres tall and about as wide, giving it a distinctive and rounded shape in the garden.

The shrub is especially known for its large, spherical flower clusters consisting of white, sterile flowers. The flowering occurs from May to June and provides a striking, almost snowball-like appearance, which has given the plant its Danish name.

Snowball thrives best in ordinary garden soil and does well in both full sun and partial shade. It is fully hardy and requires only limited maintenance, making it suitable for both private gardens and larger landscapes.

After flowering, the plant develops red fruits, and the foliage takes on a bronze tone in autumn. It can be used as a specimen plant, in groups, or as part of shrub borders, where it contributes structure and seasonal variation.

  • Decorative flowering: Large, spherical white flower clusters from May to June.
  • Robust growth: Fully hardy and thrives in ordinary garden soil.
  • Flexible placement: Suitable for both sun and partial shade.
  • Seasonal variation: Red fruits and bronze-coloured autumn foliage provide colour changes throughout the year.
  • Versatility: Suitable as a specimen plant, in groups, or shrub borders.

Pros and cons

  • Beautiful and striking flowering in early summer
  • Hardy and easy to grow in ordinary garden soil
  • Tolerates both sun and partial shade
  • Provides colour and structure through several seasons
  • Requires space due to its broad growth habit
  • The sterile flowers do not produce edible berries

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Beautiful and striking flowering in early summer
  • Hardy and easy to grow in ordinary garden soil
  • Tolerates both sun and partial shade
  • Provides colour and structure through several seasons

Cons

  • Requires space due to its broad growth habit
  • The sterile flowers do not produce edible berries

Pros

  • Beautiful and striking flowering in early summer
  • Hardy and easy to grow in ordinary garden soil
  • Tolerates both sun and partial shade
  • Provides colour and structure through several seasons

Cons

  • Requires space due to its broad growth habit
  • The sterile flowers do not produce edible berries
Pros: The plant has a beautiful and striking flowering in early summer, is hardy and easy to grow in ordinary garden soil, tolerates both sun and partial shade, and provides colour and structure through several seasons.
Cons: It requires ample space due to its broad growth habit, and the sterile flowers do not produce edible berries.
Pros: The plant has a beautiful and striking flowering in early summer, is hardy and easy to grow in ordinary garden soil, tolerates both sun and partial shade, and provides colour and structure through several seasons.
Cons: It requires ample space due to its broad growth habit, and the sterile flowers do not produce edible berries.

Specifications

  • Botanical name: Viburnum opulus 'Roseum'
  • Danish name: Snowball
  • Plant category: Ornamental shrubs
  • Height: 200–300 cm
  • Width: 200–300 cm
  • Flowering: May–June
  • Flower colour: White
  • Leaf colour: Green to dark green, bronze-coloured autumn foliage
  • Fruit colour: Red
  • Growth habit: Arching, broad and stiff-branched
  • Light conditions: Full sun or partial shade
  • Soil type: Ordinary garden soil
  • Fragrance: Yes
  • Hardiness: Fully hardy
  • Use: Specimen, groups, shrub borders, gardens and parks
4
Natural Elegance
Grey Cotoneaster
A hardy and well-branched shrub with grey-green leaves, pink flowers and red berries that provide both structure and colour in the garden for much of the year.
Why it was chosen: Grey Cotoneaster was selected as a representative of the robust and versatile ornamental shrubs that combine decorative foliage, flowering and berries. It is suitable for both solitary planting and hedges and requires minimal maintenance.

Grey Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster franchetti) is a larger, densely branched shrub with overhanging branches, giving a natural and light expression in the garden. Over time, it develops into an inverted pyramid shape when given space to grow freely.

The leaves are oval, 4–5 cm long and have a characteristic grey-felted underside, giving the plant a silvery-green hue. In autumn, the foliage takes on beautiful colours, and in sheltered locations, many leaves can remain on the plant throughout the winter.

In June, the shrub is covered with many small pink flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. Later in the season, small dark red berries form, which remain well into winter and serve as food for birds.

The plant thrives best in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil and tolerates both sun and shade. It is very hardy and suitable for solitary planting, hedges and windbreaks, even in more exposed growing sites.

  • Decorative shrub: Combines flowers, berries and foliage colours throughout the season.
  • Pollinator-friendly: The many small flowers attract bees and insects.
  • Bird-friendly: The red berries provide food for birds in the winter months.
  • Hardy and undemanding: Thrives in most soil types and tolerates both sun and shade.
  • Suitable for hedges and solitary planting: Can be used both as an ornamental plant and as part of a living hedge.

Pros and cons

  • Robust and easy-to-grow shrub
  • Beautiful autumn colours and winter berries
  • Attracts bees and birds
  • Can be used as a hedge or solitary plant
  • Thrives in both sun and shade
  • Requires well-drained soil for optimal growth
  • Can become wide and require space at full growth

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Robust and easy-to-grow shrub
  • Beautiful autumn colours and winter berries
  • Attracts bees and birds
  • Can be used as a hedge or solitary plant
  • Thrives in both sun and shade

Cons

  • Requires well-drained soil for optimal growth
  • Can become wide and require space at full growth

Pros

  • Robust and easy-to-grow shrub
  • Beautiful autumn colours and winter berries
  • Attracts bees and birds
  • Can be used as a hedge or solitary plant
  • Thrives in both sun and shade

Cons

  • Requires well-drained soil for optimal growth
  • Can become wide and require space at full growth
Pros: The shrub is robust and easy to grow, has beautiful autumn colours and winter berries, attracts both bees and birds, can be used as a hedge or solitary plant, and thrives well in both sun and shade.
Cons: It requires well-drained soil to thrive optimally and can become wide, meaning it needs plenty of space at full growth.
Pros: The shrub is robust and easy to grow, has beautiful autumn colours and winter berries, attracts both bees and birds, can be used as a hedge or solitary plant, and thrives well in both sun and shade.
Cons: It requires well-drained soil to thrive optimally and can become wide, meaning it needs plenty of space at full growth.

Specifications

  • Botanical name: Cotoneaster franchetti
  • Plant type: Ornamental shrub
  • Category: Cotoneaster
  • Main category: Ornamental shrubs
  • Growth form: Larger shrub with well-branched and overhanging growth
  • Leaf colour: Green with grey-felted underside
  • Flower colour: Pink
  • Flowering period: Spring (June)
  • Fruit: Small dark red berries with long durability
  • Light conditions: Full sun or shade
  • Soil type: Nutrient-rich and well-drained garden soil
  • Hardiness: Very hardy
  • Use: Hedge, windbreak or solitary shrub
5
Decorative mini plant
Dwarf purple-leaf plum
A low-growing purple-leaf plum with purplish-red foliage and pink to white flowers that thrives in sun or partial shade and is well suited as a contrast plant in the garden.
Why it was chosen: The dwarf purple-leaf plum was selected as a representative of compact ornamental shrubs with decorative foliage and flowering. It is suitable for smaller gardens and beds where colour contrast and structure are desired without the plant becoming too dominant.

The dwarf purple-leaf plum (Prunus x cistena) is a slow-growing shrub that typically reaches about 2 metres in height and width. It has a dense and upright growth habit, making it suitable for both solitary planting and groupings in beds.

The foliage is dark purplish-red to bronze-coloured and provides a striking contrast in the garden throughout the growing season. In May, the shrub blooms with pale pink flowers that later turn white, adding a light and elegant expression.

The plant thrives best in full sun or partial shade and prefers a nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. It is fully hardy under Danish conditions and requires only limited maintenance.

The dwarf purple-leaf plum is often used as a contrast plant in perennial and shrub beds, where its dark foliage highlights the colours of the surrounding plants.

  • Decorative foliage: Dark purplish-red to bronze-coloured throughout the season.
  • Flowering in May: Pale pink flowers that later turn white.
  • Compact growth: Upright and slow-growing form, ideal for small gardens.
  • Light conditions: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
  • Hardiness: Fully hardy and easy to grow in well-drained soil.

Pros and cons

  • Colourful foliage that provides contrast in the garden
  • Suitable for small gardens and beds
  • Easy to grow and requires minimal care
  • Tolerates both sun and partial shade
  • Fully hardy under Danish conditions
  • The flowering period is short and mainly in spring
  • The colour of the foliage may become less intense in shady environments

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Colourful foliage that provides contrast in the garden
  • Suitable for small gardens and beds
  • Easy to grow and requires minimal care
  • Tolerates both sun and partial shade
  • Fully hardy under Danish conditions

Cons

  • The flowering period is short and mainly in spring
  • The colour of the foliage may become less intense in shady environments

Pros

  • Colourful foliage that provides contrast in the garden
  • Suitable for small gardens and beds
  • Easy to grow and requires minimal care
  • Tolerates both sun and partial shade
  • Fully hardy under Danish conditions

Cons

  • The flowering period is short and mainly in spring
  • The colour of the foliage may become less intense in shady environments
Pros: The plant has colourful foliage that creates contrast in the garden, is suitable for small gardens and beds, is easy to grow with minimal care, thrives in both sun and partial shade, and is fully hardy under Danish conditions.
Cons: The flowering period is short and occurs mainly in spring, and the colour of the foliage may become less intense in shady environments.
Pros: The plant has colourful foliage that creates contrast in the garden, is suitable for small gardens and beds, is easy to grow with minimal care, thrives in both sun and partial shade, and is fully hardy under Danish conditions.
Cons: The flowering period is short and occurs mainly in spring, and the colour of the foliage may become less intense in shady environments.

Specifications

  • Botanical name: Prunus x cistena
  • Category: Ornamental shrubs / Purple-leaf plum
  • Growth form: Upright, slow-growing
  • Height: 80–150 cm (up to approx. 2 m)
  • Width: 60–90 cm
  • Leaf colour: Red to purplish-red, bronze-coloured autumn foliage
  • Leaf shape: Lanceolate
  • Flower colour: Pale pink, later white
  • Flowering time: May
  • Fruit colour: Red
  • Light conditions: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil type: Nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
  • Hardiness: Fully hardy
  • Fertilisation level: Medium
6
Elegant garden solution
Dwarf Willow
A low-growing willow with a dense, rounded crown and white-felted young leaves that thrives best in sun and moist soil. Suitable as a ground-covering plant in gardens and parks.
Why it was chosen: Dwarf Willow was selected as a representative of compact, hardy ornamental shrubs that combine decorative foliage with low maintenance. It is an example of a plant suitable for ground cover and structural variation in garden designs.

Dwarf Willow (Salix helvetica) is a compact ornamental shrub with a small, rounded, and broad-growing crown. It is grafted onto a stem at its final height, giving it a distinctive appearance in plantings.

The young leaves and shoots are white-felted, giving the plant a silvery-grey hue early in the season. Later, the leaves develop a more grey-green tone, creating a calm contrast to the surroundings.

The plant thrives best in full sun or light partial shade and prefers moist but well-drained soil. It does not tolerate prolonged drying out but is otherwise fully hardy under Danish conditions.

Dwarf Willow is particularly suitable as a ground-covering plant in gardens and parks, where it can form a low, dense plant cover. It can also be used as a decorative solitary plant in smaller beds or pots.

  • Compact growth form: Small, rounded, and broad-growing crown that gives a dense appearance.
  • Decorative foliage: White-felted young leaves that later turn grey-green.
  • Suitable as ground cover: Forms a low and dense plant cover in sunny areas.
  • Hardy plant: Tolerates Danish climatic conditions and requires minimal care.
  • Thrives in moist soil: Prefers moist but not waterlogged soil.

Pros and cons

  • Low and compact growth requiring minimal pruning
  • Decorative colour variation throughout the season
  • Suitable for ground cover and border planting
  • Fully hardy and robust in Nordic climates
  • Does not thrive in dry soil and requires consistent moisture
  • Growth is moderate, so covering larger areas takes time

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Low and compact growth requiring minimal pruning
  • Decorative colour variation throughout the season
  • Suitable for ground cover and border planting
  • Fully hardy and robust in Nordic climates

Cons

  • Does not thrive in dry soil and requires consistent moisture
  • Growth is moderate, so covering larger areas takes time

Pros

  • Low and compact growth requiring minimal pruning
  • Decorative colour variation throughout the season
  • Suitable for ground cover and border planting
  • Fully hardy and robust in Nordic climates

Cons

  • Does not thrive in dry soil and requires consistent moisture
  • Growth is moderate, so covering larger areas takes time
Pros: The plant has a low and compact growth that requires minimal pruning, offers decorative colour variation throughout the season, is well-suited for ground cover and border planting, and is fully hardy and robust in the Nordic climate.
Cons: It does not thrive in dry soil and therefore requires consistent moisture, and since growth is moderate, it takes time to achieve coverage of larger areas.
Pros: The plant has a low and compact growth that requires minimal pruning, offers decorative colour variation throughout the season, is well-suited for ground cover and border planting, and is fully hardy and robust in the Nordic climate.
Cons: It does not thrive in dry soil and therefore requires consistent moisture, and since growth is moderate, it takes time to achieve coverage of larger areas.

Specifications

  • Botanical name: Salix helvetica
  • Danish name: Dwarf Willow
  • Category: Ornamental shrubs
  • Subcategory: Willow
  • Height: 50–100 cm
  • Width: 90–120 cm
  • Flowering period: April–May
  • Flower colour: Orange-red to orange
  • Leaf colour: Grey to grey-green
  • Leaf shape: Elliptical
  • Light conditions: Full sun or partial shade
  • Growth form: Ground-covering, medium-growing
  • Hardiness: Fully hardy
  • Fertiliser requirement: Light
  • Use: Gardens and parks, ground cover
Different ornamental shrubs to choose from for your garden
Give your garden character and colour play with beautiful ornamental shrubs all year round
Outside
Outside
Ornamental shrubs
Garden
Planting
Inspiration
Garden design
2 min
Get inspiration to choose the right ornamental shrubs for your garden. The article provides an overview of different types, expressions and characteristics, so you can create a beautiful and harmonious garden all year round.
Meera Mukherjee
Meera
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