What shrubs could I plant to bloom all year long? I live where winters are mild.
Jaclyn, St. Augustine, Florida
You’ve asked, “What shrubs could I plant to bloom all year long?” You may be in luck if you live where you have mild winters. Several evergreen bushes flower for longer periods. The complete list is in this article:https://www.tipsbulletin.com/evergreen-shrubs/I’ll touch on a few of the highlights here.
For year-round color in your garden, you might need to choose a series of plants that bloom at alternating times. I hope these ideas spark your imagination as you plan.
One of the most popular shrubs is rhododendron. They are flowering bushes that grow well in shady areas and bloom in spring, summer, and fall.
Evergreen azaleas are also an excellent choice. These plants are part of the rhododendron family but do not typically get as large as their cousins. There are numerous varieties in several colors. Even if the blooms don’t last all winter, the bushes remain green throughout the year for some color during even the coolest months.
Second, French Hydrangea flowers in the early summer. Its beauty lasts until after the first frost.
You can also try one of the Daphne varieties. It has thick green foliage and small aromatic flowers that start appearing in late winter and early spring.
Azaleas are a common sight because of their gorgeous blooms in assorted colors. However, they need regular watering and fertile soil. Azaleas are some deer resistant shrubs which may be helpful if deer are a pest in your yard. To keep azaleas one of the low growing shrubs, prune them annually.
Lavender are perennial flowers that bloom from spring to fall and may be a smart choice if you have mosquitoes, as these unwelcome insects do not like its scent. Cats tend not to like the smell either so lavender can help keep stray cats off your property. However, it has quite a pleasant aroma to humans.
Lavender flowers keep their scent even after they are picked and dried and make wonderful sachets for indoors. These small shrubs can remain that way with regular pruning or you can choose to let them go and get bigger.
If you have water limitations, lilac is a brilliant addition to your yard. Its fragrant blooms appear throughout spring and summer. This drought-tolerant plant thrives with less water than many of the other shrubs listed here.
Finally, it couldn’t be easier to grow a holly bush. These evergreen shrubs have little red berries and bright green foliage, which are the traditional symbols of Christmastime. It likes partial shade and doesn’t mind salty sea air, as well as growing tall enough to be useful hedge plants.
Take note that while holly is not one of the bushes with thorns, the leaves do have sharp points that can deliver a “prick” to the skin when you touch them in a certain way. Holly may be best planted away from areas where pets and children frequent to keep from experiencing this uncomfortable feeling.
On the other hand, holly is ideal for planting beneath windows or as a privacy hedge. The sharp points are an excellent deterrent for prying eyes or potential intruders.