Deciduous Shrubs

Agriculture at Colorado State University Cooperative Extensioin

no. 7.415

Deciduous Shrubs

by R.A. Cox and J.E. Klett¹

Quick Facts...

Shrubs are multiple-stem plants that grow from 2 to more than 20 feet high.
Use shrubs for screening, privacy, windbreaks, wildlife habitats, and landscape color and texture.
Deciduous shrubs provide a seasonal change of interest in the landscape.
Well-placed shrubs take into account available space, exposure and soil conditions.
Table 1 lists shrubs for elevations below 6,000 feet that are widely available in Garden centers and nurseries.

Shrubs are immediately noticeable in the landscape because they are at eye level. Flower and fruit displays, interesting foliage shapes and colors, and even bark color and texture add outdoor interest. Shrubs can visually anchor a building to a site, guide the line of sight toward or away from certain views, and bridge the space between lower-growing perennials and taller trees to give a sense of completion to a landscape. Deciduous shrubs offer seasonal changes not found with evergreen shrubs.

Because of the range of heights available, pruning, and spacing possibilities, shrubs are versatile landscape performers. A 2-foot shrub can complement perennials in the flower bed, while a 20-foot hedge can screen even the largest property. Some shrubs may be pruned to a single or few stems for growth as small specimen trees. Pruning others flat to decorate a wall in an espalier can provide a focal point for a courtyard or walkway. Space shrubs singly or mass them in small groups to fill in a shrub border. Spacing closely in a line will allow plants to grow into a hedge or screen. The spacing at planting depends on the growth habit and mature size of the shrub species, as well as the intended purpose.

Before purchasing shrubs, decide the function you want the plants to perform in the landscape. Are you interested in screening an undesirable view, intercepting the glare of car headlights from the street, hiding the house foundation, reducing the wind velocity, attracting birds, or adding flowers or fall color?

After determining the function, write down a description of the intended planting site to include soil texture (clay, sand, etc.), available moisture, and exposure (compass direction and sunny vs. shady). Remember, as landscapes mature, a sunny site may change to a shady one.

Colorado growing conditions present both challenges and opportunities. Dry, sunny days and cool nights make plant diseases relatively rare and prolong or intensify flowering. Late frosts may damage the flowers of spring flowering shrubs. Soil conditions often are not conducive to growing certain species. Both climate and soil conditions vary widely across the state, meaning some shrubs may grow well in one area but not in others.

The following list, while not comprehensive, provides information on the more commonly available deciduous shrubs for elevations below 6,000 feet. For a listing of shrubs adapted to higher elevations, refer to fact sheet 7.423, Trees and Shrubs for Mountain Areas. Drought-tolerant shrubs are listed in 7.229, Xeriscaping: Trees and Shrubs.

Plant Name	Soil Moisture^a	Exposure^b	Flower Color^c and Month	Fruit^d	Fall Color^e	Comments
Table 1: Most commonly available shrubs for elevations below 6,000 feet.
small SHRUBS (less than 4 feet high when mature)
Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea Purpleleaf Japanese barberry 'Crimson Pygmy'	L-M	S-PSh	NI	R	R-Pu	Reddish-purple foliage.
Caryopteris spp. Blue mist spirea	L-M	S-PSh	Bl-P/7-9	Tan	NI	Cut back in late winter.
Cornus sericea 'Kelseyi' Kelsey dogwood	H	S-PSh	NI	NI	R-Pu	Mounded; red stems.
Cotoneaster apiculatus Cranberry cotoneaster	M	S-PSh	P/5	R	R	Mounded habit.
Hydrangea arborescens Hydrangea 'Annabelle'	M-H	Sh-PSh	W/7-9	NI	NI	Large, showy flowers.
Hypericum kalmianum Hypericum (St. John's-wort) 'Hidcote'	L-M M	S-PSh S-PSh	Y/7-9 Y/7-9	NI NI	O-Pu NI	Blue-green foliage; hardier. Cut back to ground in fall.
Ligustrum vulgare 'Lodense' Privet, 'Lodense'	L-M	S-Sh	W/6-7	B	NI	Dark green foliage held late.
Lonicera spp. Honeysuckle 'Emerald Mound' 'Miniglobe' 'Clavey's Dwarf'	M M M	S-Sh S-Sh S-Sh	W/5-6 W/5-6 W/5-6	R R R	NI NI NI	Mounded habit. Hardy, compact. Good hedge.
Potentilla fruticosa Potentilla (shrubby cinquefoil) 'Abbotswood' 'Coronation Triumph' 'Gold Drop' 'Jackmannii' 'Katherine Dykes'	L-M	S-PSh	Y-W/6-9 W Bright Y Golden Y Deep Y Light Y	NI	NI	Compact, rounded. Spreading. Upright. Compact. Upright. Spreading.
Ribes alpinum Alpine currant	L-M	S-Sh	NI	NI	Y	Good for hedge.
Rhus aromatica Grow-low 'Grow-low' sumac	L-M	S-PSh	Y/3-4	R	R-Pu	Vigorous, widespreading.
Spiraea x bumalda Bumald spirea 'Anthony Waterer' 'Froebelii' 'Goldflame'	M-H	S-PSh	P-Pu/6-8 R-rose P P	NI	Br-Pu R-O	Spreading, flat-topped. Slightly taller. Yellow-green foliage.
Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess' 'Little Princess' spirea	M	S-PSh	P/6-7	NI	Br	Delicate, mounded.
Symphoricarpos x chenaultii Hancock coralberry	M	S-PSh	NI	R-P	NI	Blue-green leaves; persistent fruit; lower growth.
MEDIUM SHRUBS (4-6 feet high when mature)
Aronia melanocarpa Black chokeberry	M-H	S-PSh	W/5-6	B	O-R	Glossy green foliage.
Berberis thunbergii B. thunbergii atropurpurea Purpleleaf Japanese barberry 'Rose Glow'	L-M	S-PSh	NI R	R	O-R P-R	Spiny; hedges or barrier. Reddish-purple foliage. Pink blotches on leaves.
Buddleia davidii Butterfly bush	M	S-PSh	L/6-7	NI	NI	Cut back in late winter.
Euonymus alatus 'Compacta' Dwarf burning bush	M	S-Sh	NI	P/O	R	Slightly winged twigs.
Chaenomeles speciosa Flowering quince	M	S-PSh	R/P/W/4	Y	NI	Spiny stems; large fruit only occasionally.
Cornus sericea 'Isanti' 'Isanti' dogwood	M-H	S-PSh	W/5-6	W	R-Pu	Red twigs; compact habit.
Ligustrum x vicaryi Golden vicary privet	M	S	W/6-7	NI	NI	May show winter dieback.
Perovskia atriplicifolia Russian sage	L	S	L-Pu/7-9	NI	NI	Very small, fine leaves; cut back to 6" in late winter.
Philadelphus coronarius 'Aureus' Golden mockorange	M-H	S	W/5-6	NI	NI	Yellow foliage all season.
Prunus x cistena Cistena plum (purpleleaf sand cherry)	M	S-PSh	P/5-6	B-Pu	Pu	Purple foliage all season.
Prunus glandulosa Dwarf flowering almond 'Alba' 'Rosea Plena'	M	S	P/4-5 W P	NI	NI	Flowers precede leaves. Single flowers. Double flowers.
Rhus trilobata Threeleaf sumac (skunkbush)	L	S-PSh	Y/4	R	Y-O-R	Native; pungent foliage.
Ribes aureum Golden currant	L-M	S-PSh	Y/4-5	B	R-Pu	Native; fragrant flowers
Salix purpurea nana Dwarf arctic willow	M-H	S-PSh	NI	NI	NI	Fine texture; needs winter moisture.
Spiraea x vanhouttei Vanhoutte spirea	L-M	S-PSh	W/5-6	NI	Br	Graceful, arching habit.
Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry	L-M	S-PSh	P-W/6-7	W	NI	Very adaptable.
Syringa meyeri 'Palibin' Lilac, dwarf Korean	L-M	S-PSh	L-P/5-6	NI	NI	Rounded, dense habit.
Syringa patula 'Miss Kim' 'Miss Kim' lilac	L-M	S	Bl-L/5-6	NI	R-Pu	Rounded, dense habit.
Viburnum opulus 'Compactum' Compact European cranberrybush viburnum	M-H	S-PSh	W/5-6	R	NI	Showy, persistent fruit.
Viburnum trilobum 'Compactum' Compact American cranberrybush viburnum	M-H	S-PSh	NI	NI	R	Dense, rounded.
Weigela florida Weigela 'Java Red' 'Vanicek'	M	S-PSh	P/5-6 P-R R	NI	NI	Trumpet-shaped flowers. Bronze-red foliage.
LARGE SHRUBS (greater than 6 feet tall when mature)
Amelanchier spp. Serviceberry (Juneberry)	M	S-PSh	W/4-5	R-Pu	YOR	Shrub or small tree.
Caragana arborescens Siberian peashrub	L	S	Y/5	NI	Y	Very adaptable.
Cornus sericea Redtwig dogwood 'Baileyi' 'Flaviramea' (yellowtwig dogwood)	M-H	S-PSh	W/5-6	W-Bl W-Bl W-Bl	R-Pu	Red stems in winter. Red stems in winter. Yellow stems in winter.
Cotinus coggygria Smoketree 'Royal Purple' 'Nordine'	M	S-PSh	P-W/7	NI	Pu-O	Flowers like "pink smoke." Purple leaves; less hardy. Purple leaves; hardier.
Cotoneaster acutifolia Peking cotoneaster	L-M	S-PSh	NI	B	R-O	Screening or hedge use.
Euonymus alatus Burning bush (winged euonymus)	M	S-Sh	NI	P/R/O	R	Winged stems; pink fruit.
Euonymus europaeus Spindletree (European euonymus)	M	S-Sh	NI	R-Pu/O	R-Pu	Shrub or small tree.
Forsythia spp. Forsythia 'Meadowlark' 'Northern Gold' 'Northern Sun'	M	S	Y/3-4	NI	Y-Pu	Hardy flower buds. Smaller; flower buds hardy. Flower buds hardy.
Hibiscus syriacus Rose-of-Sharon (shrub althea)	M	S-PSh	V/7-8	NI	NI	Showy, late flowers.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora' PeeGee hydrangea	M-H	S-PSh	W/7-8	NI	NI	Large flower clusters.
Kolkwitzia amabilis Beautybush	L-M	S-PSh	P/5-6	NI	Br	Shredding bark; coarse.
Ligustrum vulgare 'Cheyenne' Cheyenne privet	M	S-PSh	W/6-7	B	NI	If sheared, no flowers or fruit.
Lonicera korolkowii Blueleaf honeysuckle	L-M	S	P/5	R	NI	Resistant to aphids.
Lonicera tatarica Honeysuckle, Tatarian 'Arnold Red'	L-M	S-PSh	R/5	R	NI	Some resistance to aphids
Philadelphus x virginalis Mockorange	M-H	S-PSh	W/5-6	NI	NI	Fragrant flowers; coarse.
Physocarpus opulifolius Common ninebark 'Dart's Golden' 'Luteus'	M	S	W/5-6	NI	Y-O	Shreddy bark; adaptable. Yellowish-green foliage. Golden yellow foliage.
Prunus tomentosa Nanking (Manchu) cherry	L-M	S-PSh	P-W/4	R	Y	Edible fruit attracts birds.
Prunus triloba Double flowering plum	M	S-PSh	P/4	NI	NI	Double pink flowers.
Prunus virginiana Common chokecherry 'Shubert' (Canada red cherry)	M	S-PSh	W/5	R-Pu	Y	Suckering, attracts birds. Green leaves turn maroon.
Rhamnus frangula 'Columnaris' Columnar buckthorn (Tallhedge)	M	S-PSh	NI	R-B	Y	Thornless; vertical habit.
Rhus glabra Smooth sumac	L-M	S-PSh	G-Y/5-6	R	R-O	Suckers; best in poor soil.
Rhus typhina Staghorn sumac 'Laciniata'	L-M	S-PSh	G-Y/5-6	R	R-O	Larger; suckers; poor soil. Deeply cut leaves.
Salix discolor Pussywillow	H	S	Gray/3-4	NI	NI	Early catkins (flowers), very susceptible to canker.
Sambucus canadensis 'Aurea' Golden elder	M-H	S	W/6-7	R-B	NI	Golden leaves; edible fruit.
Sorbaria sorbifolia Ash-leaf spirea (Ural false-spirea)	M	S-PSh	W/6-7	NI	NI	Lush foliage; suckering.
Syringa x chinensis Chinese lilac	M	S	Pu/5	NI	Y	Small leaves, loose flowers.
Syringa x prestoniae Canada lilac 'James McFarlane' 'Minuet'	M	S	Bl-L-P-Pu/5-6 P Pu	NI	Y	Blooms later. Upright growth habit. Slightly smaller shrub.
Syringa vulgaris Common lilac (includes "French hybrids") 'Charles Joly' 'President Grevy'	M	S	V/5 R-Pu Lt Bl	NI	NI	Prone to powdery mildew. Double flowers. Double flowers.
Viburnum x burkwoodii Burkwood viburnum	M	S-PSh	P-W/4-5	R-B	NI	Leathery leaves persist.
Viburnum lantana Wayfaring tree viburnum 'Mohican'	L-M	S-PSh	W/4-5	R-B	Pu-Br	Leathery leaves persist. More compact form.
Viburnum lentago Nannyberry viburnum	M	S-PSh	W/4-5	Bl	ROPu	Can be used as a small tree.
Viburnum opulus European cranberrybush viburnum 'Roseum' (Snowball)	M-H	S-PSh	W/5-6	R NI	R-Pu	Fruit persists; aphid prone. Showier flowers; aphid prone; no fruit.
Viburnum x rhytidophylloides 'Alleghany' Alleghany viburnum	M	S-PSh	W/5-6	R-B	Pu-Br	Leathery leaves persist.
Viburnum trilobum American cranberrybush viburnum	M-H	S-PSh	W/5-6	R	R-Pu	Showy, persistent fruit; less aphid prone.
^aSoil moisture: L=Low M=Medium H=High ^bExposure: S=Sun PSh=Partial shade Sh=Shade ^cFlower color: Bl=Blue G=Green L=Lavender P=Pink Pu=Purple R=Red W=White Y=Yellow V=varies with cultivar NI=Not Important Months numbered 1 - 12 ^dFruit: B=Black Bl=Blue O=Orange P=Pink Pu=Purple R=Red W=White Y=Yellow NI=Not Important ^eFall color: Br=Bronze O=Orange Pu=Purple R=Red Y=Yellow NI=Not Important

¹ R.A. Cox, Colorado State University Extension horticulture agent, Arapahoe County; and J.E. Klett, Extension horticulture specialist, horticulture and landscape architecture 10/97. Revised 4/07.

Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Colorado counties cooperating. CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. No endorsement of products mentioned is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.

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