Common Arkansas Shrubs

Holly (Needle Point)

Adaptable evergreen shrub Narrow, uniquely twisted leaves Red berries add winter color Excellent screen or border plant. Part Sun. Low Moisture.

Althea

Althea (Hibiscus Syriacus), also known as rose of Sharon, is a hardy hibiscus shrub. Althea gets up to 12 feet tall with a 6- to 10-foot spread. The shrub is covered in blooms from summer to fall.

Lilac

An outstanding lilac noted for its large trusses of purplish-red florets edged in white Captivating fragrance is a bonus Branches are erect and open with rich green foliage Deciduous. Full Sun. Low Moisture

Abelia

Any Abelia of Asian or Mexican shrubs of the honeysuckle family having opposite leaves and white, red, or pink flowers. Partial to full sun. Water regularly- weekly or more often in extreme heat. Requires less frequent watering, once established. Grows 4 to 6 feet tall, 5 feet wide. Key Feature: Summer Flowering

Rhododendron

Apple-blossom flowers Upright, broadleaf evergreen Ideal as perennial background Great ground cover under trees. Part Sun, Semi Moist

False Cypress

Attractive shrub has a rounded form maturing into a dwarf pyramidal shape This evergreen displays flat sprays of green foliage Protect from drying wind Excellent for rock gardens or mixed borders. Full Sun. Semi Moist

Holly (Sky Pencil)

Beautiful evergreen shrub with narrow columnar growth habit with many uses Outstanding for vertical accent at entryways as privacy screening or in containers. Low maintenance and easy to grow. Water plants often the first year; once established water one time per week. Full sun plants thrive in 6 plus hours of direct sunlight per day

Juniper (old gold)

Beautiful evergreen spreading shrub with golden bronze foliage on graceful arching branches Excellent for foundation planting hedge or bank cover Deer resistant drought tolerant and easy to grow Water plants often the first year; once established water two times per week Full sun plants thrive in 6 plus hours of direct sunlight per day

Vitex Shrub

Beautiful garden or patio tree shows terminal clusters of fragrant lilac blooms Broad and spreading, effective multi-trunk display Can be trained for use in shrub border Thrives in heat Deciduous. Full Sun

Hydrangea (big daddy)

Beautiful red flowers Great for shady areas Good for dried arrangements Enjoys rich, organic soil. Most Popular Shade lover.

Yucca

Foliage striped green and gold Showy stalks of white flowers Blooms spring to summer Excellent accent plant Excellent accent plan Full sun. Arid Dry

Butterfly Bush

Good cut flower Colorful flower spikes in summer Great in perennial or shrub border Easy to grow and maintain. Full Sun. Semi Moist

False Holly

Its new leaves emerge red and quickly turn green. The green leaves are daubed with spots of creamy white, gray green, and yellow green. This lovely selection makes a great evergreen accent or hedge. Part sun. Semi moist

Hydrangea Paniculata

Long white flower clusters turn rosy-red as they age in late summer and fall, adding color to the garden when few plants are in bloom Best used as an accent specimen Deciduous. Part Sun. Moist

Mahonia

Low, spreading form displays bright yellow flowers followed by blue-black fruit clusters Suitable large scale groundcover or small shrub grouping Will help to control erosion Evergreen

Azelea

Lush, mounded form, covered with extra large pink blooms in season Beautiful spreading evergreen, use as hedge, screen or massed planting for impressive display. Part Sun, Semi Moist

Nandina (Firepower)

Nandina Firepower is one of the best compact shrubs for year round foliage interest; it features a variety of leaf colors on a small dense evergreen plant and it is typically scarlet red in fall through winter Use this brightly colored shrub as an accent or in containers or the mixed border Easy care; thrives in hot sunny locations; tolerates drought; deer and rabbit resistant Water plants often the first year; once established water two times per week Full sun plants thrive in 6 plus hours of direct sunlight per day

Boxwood ( Wintergreen)

One of the most popular hedge plants Its dense evergreen growth makes it perfect for shearing into a small and formal hedge Generally used as a hedge plant; can be sheared into shapes easily Thrives in well drained soils Water plants often the first year; once established water two times per week Full sun plants thrive in 6 plus hours of direct sunlight per day

Cleyara

Cleyera is an evergreen with a dense; compact; rounded habit with leaves lustrous dark green above and dull pale green below. This plant makes a great low maintenance hedge or privacy screen. This plant does well in sun or shade and is drought tolerant when established. Water plants often the first year; once established water two times per week. Part sun plants tolerate 3 to 6 hours of morning sun per day

Drift Rose

Clusters of beautiful blooms Makes a stunning ground cover Disease-resistant Enjoys rich, organic soil

Rose (knockout)

Clusters of cherry-red flowers Continuous bloomer Disease resistant Excellent for mixed borders. Full Sun. Semi Moist

Spirea

Compact, flowering shrub Pink summer flowers Red leaves mature to green Excellent in the shrub border

Wisteria

Deciduous vine with vigorous twining stems Best when trained on an arbor, trellis or fence to allow viewing of the spectacular pendulous flower clusters Blooms at a very early age Full sun

Distylium

Dense and compact evergreen shrub with resistance to disease and insects. Matte blue-green foliage cascades giving a layering effect. Excellent in cut flower arrangements. Reddish maroon flowers bloom late winter into early spring. Tolerates heat, drought and varied conditions, making it a versatile choice for borders or mass planting.Partial to full sun. Best with regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. Reaches 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide.

Gardenia

These evergreen shrubs produce very fragrant white flowers in early summer They are excellent container or accent plant when used in areas where the wonderful fragrance can be enjoyed Plant gardenias where they will receive some afternoon shade and provide consistent moisture. Water plants often the first year; once established water three times per week. Part sun plants tolerate 3 to 6 hours of morning sun per day

Euonymus

This dense evergreen shrub has bold green and gold variegated leaves and an upright growth habit Golden Euonymus is an excellent choice for colorful hedges; it may also be used as an accent. This versatile shrub tolerates lean soils and needs minimal attention once established. Water plants often the first year; once established water two times per week. Full sun plants thrive in 6 plus hours of direct sunlight per day.

Flowering Quince

Thorny spreading shrub with flowers early spring to mid spring Trained as a vine version of this plant that flowers in spring and shows berries in fall. Low maintenance and drought tolerant; full sun. Water plants often the first year; once established water two times per week. Part sun plants tolerate 3 to 6 hours of morning sun per day

Forsythia

Upright, deciduous shrub Explosion of bright yellow flowers Blooms in early spring. Use as a background plant. Full Sun. Semi Moist.

Fothergilla

Valuable plant used for hedges and borders.Attractive in 3 seasons; fragrant showy spring flowers, green leaves in summer and brilliant yellow, red, orange fall color Low, dense, bushy shrub. Part Sun. Semi Moist

Hawthorne Indian

White flowers with red accents Evergreen, reddish new leaves Specimen or informal hedge Pest-resistant. Full Sun. Semi Moist.

Cherry Laurel (Cherry Berry)

White flowers, black fruit Blooms in spring Lustrous, dark green leaves Dependable evergreen shrub 20 ft height by 8ft width. Full Sun. Low moisture

Plum Yew

Wide ranging adaptability makes this evergreen a real problem solver in most landscapes Tolerant of shade, heat and drought A versatile performer tailor made for foundation planting cover-up A superior choice for hedges and privacy screens Evergreen shrub. Part Sun. Semi Moist

Loropetalum

Bright pink flowers in spring Compact, mounding habit Intense purple foliage Great color accent for beds. Full Sun. Semi Moist

Holly (Carissa)

Carissa Holly is a compact dense foliage shrub with dark glossy green leaves that have one spine at the tip Excellent for use as a low hedge; in containers or in foundation plantings; it provides a lush green background for flowering plants. This plant is low maintenance and easy to grow. Water plants often the first year; once established water one time per week Part sun plants tolerate 3 to 6 hours of morning sun per day

Acuba

Japanese Aucuba (Aucuba Japonica) is an evergreen shrub that grows 6 to 10 feet tall with colorful, green and yellow-gold leaves as much as 8 inches long.Shade. Deeper shade means brighter leaf color. Plants tolerate partial shade, but leaves turn black if they get too much sun. Mild temperatures. Well-drained soil. The ideal soil is moist with a high organic content, but the plants tolerate most any soil, including heavy clay, as long as it is well drained.

Wax Ligustrum

Japanese privet is an attractive and tough plant that requires little care; it is extremely fast growing and its berries provide a source of food for birds This versatile shrub can be used as a hedge or tall screens; Japanese ligustrum is often trained into small multi stemmed specimen trees and can also be pruned into topiary Extremely tolerant of a wide variety of soil conditions ligustrum is a strong sturdy plant requiring little care other than regular pruning to maintain desired shape and size Water plants often the first year; once established water one time per week Full sun plants thrive in 6 plus hours of direct sunlight per day

Holly (Nellie Stevens)

Large evergreen shrub Bright red berries in winter Glossy, dark green foliage Good background or specimen. Part Sun. Low Moisture.

Hydrangea Oakleaf

Large, dense 6- to 8-in. long clusters of white flowers are held upright above the dark green oak leaf shaped foliage White flowers become rose-pink in fall and leaves turn deep red-bronze Tan-brown exfoliating bark is attractive in winter Deciduous. Part Sun. Semi-Moist.

Nandina (Gulf Stream)

Nandina Gulf Stream is one of the best compact shrubs for year round foliage interest; it features a variety of leaf colors on a fairly dense evergreen plant It makes a fine informal hedge or can be used as a foundation planting; it can also be used in containers or in the mixed border Easy care; thrives in hot sunny locations; tolerates drought deer and rabbit resistant Water plants often the first year; once established water two times per week Full sun plants thrive in 6 plus hours of direct sunlight per day

Camelia

Red pink and white flowers appear late winter through spring depending on variety. These plants are shade tolerant and long lived; plant cold hardy varieties where winter temps may dip below 0 degrees but remain above 10 degrees. Water plants often the first year; once established water three times per week. Part sun plants tolerate 3 to 6 hours of morning sun per day

Viburnum

Showy evergreen shrub valued for its glossy dark green leaves and metallic turquoise blue fruit Use as foundation shrub with ferns, azaleas and other acid loving plants. Part Sun. Semi Moist

Wax Myrtle

Wispy, evergreen shrub Ideal screen plant Aromatic foliage Clusters of waxy, green fruit. Part sun low moisture