Shrubs are the backbone of any garden—they’re hardy, versatile, and come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. If you’re looking to add some greenery to your life but want something a bit more substantial than a flowerpot full of pansies, look no further. Shrubs can be planted directly into the ground or grown in containers—and if you’re planning on planting in a pot, you can get creative with the choice of shrub!
Dwarf Mugho Pine
Dwarf mugho pine is a slow-growing conifer that can be kept in a container for many years. This dwarf shrub will grow up to 3 feet high and wide, making it perfect for small spaces or topiaries. If you’re looking for an easy-to-maintain plant that won’t grow too tall, then this is the shrub for you.
It grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 9 and requires full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil (ideally with compost added).
Mini-Hydrangea
Mini-hydrangeas are a great choice for container gardening. These shrubs are easy to grow, and depending on the variety, they can either make a great focal point in the center of a container garden or be planted as ground cover around your other plants. They also make excellent hedges in pots or planters.
If you have limited space but still want to create an attractive landscape with some color and texture, mini-hydrangeas can help you achieve that goal!
Boxwood
Boxwood is a slow-growing shrub that makes for an excellent choice when planting in containers. It also has the added benefit of being able to thrive in shady locations and areas with poor soil.
Boxwood is often used as a hedge or border along walkways and can be pruned into various shapes, such as balls and cones. If you have a small space to fill but want something with more height than a ground cover, boxwood may be right up your alley!
Spirea
Spirea is a flowering shrub that grows best in zones 4-8. It’s deciduous, so it loses its leaves in the winter, but it has beautiful pink flowers during spring and summer. Spireas are great for container gardening because they tend to be compact shrubs that don’t need much space and are easy to grow indoors or out. Most varieties of spireas will reach about 3 feet tall, but there are some varieties that grow as tall as 6 feet!
Dwarf Cherry Laurel
Dwarf Cherry Laurel is a small, deciduous shrub that grows about 2 feet tall. It can handle a wide range of climates and conditions and is often used as an ornamental hedge. The cherry laurel blooms in spring with small white flowers that give way to glossy dark-red berries. It’s a good choice for container gardening as well but it does need regular watering if it’s not planted in moist soil (such as soil mix).
Dwarf Lilac
If you’re looking for a shrub that will grow well in containers and add color to your landscape, consider the dwarf lilac. This beautiful flowering plant is not only easy to grow but also makes a great choice for any size yard and garden space.
- For small yards: Dwarf lilac is an excellent choice if you have a small yard because it only grows 6-12 feet high and wide, so it won’t overwhelm smaller outdoor spaces.
- For large yards: Because of its low maintenance and drought tolerance, dwarf lilac is also ideal for larger areas like backyards or front yards where there’s plenty of room for growth.
- For front yards: If you want something with more color than some other options on this list while still keeping with an overall traditional appearance, consider adding dwarf lilacs as part of your landscaping plan!
Privet Holly
Privet holly is a hardy shrub that can be used as a decorative container plant. This evergreen shrub has glossy, dark green leaves that change to burgundy in the winter months. Privet holly is known for its slow growth rate and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, making it an excellent option for outdoor container gardening.
As with most ornamental plants, there are several varieties available for you to choose from when planting in your garden or patio containers. The variety known as Pendula produces long stems of flowers and fruit; this makes it ideal for hanging baskets or other containers where space is limited but airflow needs to be maximized.
Consider using the types of shrubs listed in this A-List to create a beautiful container garden.
Shrubs are a great type of plant to use in your container garden. They can be used to cover up the side of a container, creating a more finished look as well as adding some nice greenery to your space. Try using these types of shrubs for your next project!
Conclusion
Let us know in the comments if you have any experience with container shrubs or have a favorite type of shrub. We’d love to hear from you!
