5 hardy and fast-growing shrubs for your garden
In the garden, it's always nice to surround yourself with greenery: with trees and shrubs with colorful leaves and flowers, which decorate the outdoor corners while also offering shade and coolness. The choice of plants to put in these spaces is virtually infinite, but there are usually some limitations: from the soil quality, to the space available and the neighboring areas, there are many factors to consider.
So, acquiring shrubs and bushes that are particularly robust and do not require too much care, becomes an attractive proposition. Below, we list 5 plants that are beautiful to look at and easy to take care of:
Diervilla (Honeysuckle Shrub)
This is a plant from the honeysuckle family and which - unlike the better known species - is not a climber but grows as a bush. Native to North-Eastern America, it was introduced in Europe in 1700 by French surgeon, Dr. Marin Diereville, to whom the plant owes its name.
It grows as bushes of between one and two meters in height, and with an equivalent diameter. It has lanceolate and toothed leaves, which take on warm and truly beautiful colors in autumn. Some varieties also have purplish leaves for the rest of the year. At the beginning of summer, small tubular yellow flowers appear.
This plant requires very little care, and can resist drought and harsh winter temperatures (as low as -35° C). It is also an excellent melliferous (honey-producing) plant.
Cornus alba Sibirica
The peculiarity of this shrub lies in the color of its branches - a bright red that makes them look like coral. They thrive in autumn and throughout the winter, making them a great addition to the garden when it is usually devoid of color. It can also be grown in large containers.
In temperate zones, it can live outside all year round, but it needs sunlight to produce its brilliant colours. This plant doesn't like saltiness, so it will not thrive near the coast. It can adapt to various types of soil, but it prefers rich soil. As for watering, it is almost self-sufficient once it has taken root. But if grown in pots, it will be necessary to check when the soil dries out for watering.
Note that there is also the Cornus alba Elegantissima variety, which has variegated leaves.
Sambuco
While it is not considered an ornamental shrub, Sambuco is really very beautiful when it blooms with its white umbrella-shaped flowers and clusters of black berries. It is not at all demanding in terms of cultivation and grows well in cities - even in the presence of atmospheric pollution.
It can live in partial shade, but to produce flowers, it is best to place it in sunny spots. The soil must be rich, soft and well-draining.
Self-sufficient in terms of water needs, in the event of prolonged drought, the soil must be watered to keep it moist at regular intervals.
Physocarpus
These plants can tolerate heat and temperature as low as -30°, but they need their soil to remain slightly damp. Perfect in full sunlight, they will grow well (with slightly fewer flowers) in partial shade. Their soil must be slightly acidic, soft and rich. There are varieties with green leaves and white flowers and others with dark red foliage and red flowers.
Veigelia (Weigelia)
A rustic and deciduous shrub, Veigelia has an initial copious flowering between May and June but also returns to flower in the late summer, between August and September. It should be placed in sunny areas or in areas that are shaded only for a few hours. As far as temperatures are concerned it can also resist cold and prolonged winters. The ideal soil for this plant is somewhat clayey, but they also well grow in other soil types. This plant is also resistant to pollution, but will not do well in drought conditions
Which of these shrubs do you like best?
