Maintenance Landscaping Design

Flowering shrubs is a beautiful and popular choice for many gardens. They are relatively easy to care for and can provide your garden with year-round interest. Flowering shrubs come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can easily find one to suit your needs. Most varieties are relatively low-maintenance and will thrive in a variety of conditions.

Also called

• mock orange
  
• orange jasmine
  
• eglantine
  
• false orange
  
• sour orange

Good to Know

• Flowering shrubs are an important part of the landscape and can provide structure, color, and texture.
  
• They can be used as specimen plants, in mass plantings, or as hedges.
  
• Flowering shrubs come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors.
  
• They can be evergreen or deciduous, and some have fragrant flowers.
  
• Flowering shrubs need full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
  
• They should be fertilized in early spring and pruned in late winter or early spring.
  
• Flowering shrubs are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases.
  
• They are relatively easy to care for and can provide years of enjoyment.
  
• There are a wide variety of flowering shrubs available to suit any landscape.
  
• Flowering shrubs can be an important part of creating a beautiful and inviting garden.

Related plant:
Flowering Almond Bush

Growing Steps

1. For flowering shrubs, first step is to choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight. Morning sun is best, as it will help dry the dew off the leaves.
   
2. Clear the area of any weeds or grass, as these will compete with the shrub for water and nutrients.
   
3. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the diameter of the shrub's container. The depth of the hole should be the same as the container's height.
   
4. Carefully remove the shrub from its container and place it in the hole.
   
5. Backfill the hole with the removed soil, gently tamping it down as you go.
   
6. Water the shrub well, using a garden hose or watering can.
   
7. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the shrub, being sure to keep it away from the trunk.
   
8. Fertilize the shrub according to the manufacturer's instructions.
   
9. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming.
   
10. Prune the shrub as needed to maintain its shape.

Related plant:
Flowering Bushes

The Soil

About soil condition, well-drained soil is best, but flowering shrubs will grow in most types of soil as long as it is not waterlogged. Flowering shrubs also prefer a soil that is on the acidic side, with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. If your soil is neutral or alkaline, you can still grow most flowering shrubs by adding sulfur to lower the pH.

Light condition

So, like the other plants, flowering shrubs need sunlight to grow. The amount of sun required depends on the type of shrub. Some shrubs, such as azaleas and rhododendrons, need partial shade, while others, such as roses, need full sun. Flowering shrubs can brighten up any garden, so it's important to choose the right one for your needs.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition is the main focus when it comes to flowering shrubs. They need to be in a temperature range of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit in order to flower properly. If the temperature is too cold, the buds will not open and if the temperature is too hot, the flowers will wilt.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 60-70%. If the humidity gets too low, the leaves will start to drop and the plant will go into shock. If the humidity gets too high, the leaves will start to yellow and the plant will become susceptible to fungal diseases.

Fertilizing

The fertilizer, this family of plant food, provides the flowering shrubs with the needed minerals to produce beautiful blooms. The roots of the shrubs are what provide stability to the plant. They also aid in the uptake of water and nutrients from the soil.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of keeping your flowering shrubs healthy and looking their best. The best time to prune most shrubs is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. But there are a few exceptions – see the individual plant listings below for more information. When pruning, always make clean, sharp cuts just above a bud or branch. Avoid leaving stubs, which can lead to disease. And be careful not to overprune – remove no more than one-third of the plant's overall growth. Here are some general guidelines for pruning common flowering shrubs: Azaleas and rhododendrons: Prune immediately after flowering. Hydrangeas: Prune in late winter or early spring. Forsythia: Prune in late winter or early spring. Lilacs: Prune in late winter or early spring. Spirea: Prune in late winter or early spring.

The Propagation

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from a variety of sources such as seeds, cuttings, or division. Flowering shrubs can be propagated from seed, cuttings, or division. Propagating from seed is the most common method, but it can take several years for the plant to bloom. Flowering shrubs can also be propagated from cuttings. This is a quicker method, but it can be more difficult. Division is the process of breaking apart a plant and replanting the pieces. This is a quick and easy way to propagate, but it can be difficult to get the plant to rebloom.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is rather slow, however, there are a few species that grow at a moderate to fast rate. Some of the faster growing shrubs include the weeping forsythia, the goldenrain tree, and the royal Paulownia.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant include poor drainage, lack of nutrients, and pests. Improper drainage results in waterlogged soil, which can lead to fungal diseases. A lack of nutrients will cause the shrub to produce fewer flowers. Pests can damage the shrub's leaves, stems, and flowers.

Tips on Growing

• If you want your flowering shrubs to grow quickly and vigorously, make sure to fertilize them regularly.
  
• Water your plants regularly, especially during the hot summer months.
  
• Place your shrubs in an area that receives full sun for at least six hours per day.
  
• Prune your plants regularly to encourage new growth and to keep them looking their best.
  
• To avoid damage to your plants, make sure to mulch around them.
  
• Be sure to plant your shrubs in an area with well-drained soil.
  
• Choose a variety of flowering shrubs that will bloom at different times throughout the growing season.
  
• When planting new shrubs, be sure to dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
  
• Amend the soil around your plants with compost or other organic matter to help them thrive.
  
• Protect your plants

Substitution

• Sarcoca
  
• Salvia
  
• Saintpaulia
  
• Santalum
  
• Sambucus
  
• Sanguisorba
  
• Santolina
  
• Scolymus
  
• Scutellaria
  
• Sedum

Source:
PROFILE OF TEN (10) FLOWERING SHRUBS - Academia.edu
Spring Flowering Shrubs - SDSU Extension
Ask IFAS: Flowering Shrubs - University of Florida