Low Growing Shrubs for Almost Any Area!

 

Keeping with the theme of low-growing shrubs, here are some great options for the landscape. We’ve divided them into two groups—plants for shadier spots and plants that prefer sun to partial sun.

 
 

Shade

 

‘Mojo’ Pittosporum

‘Mojo’ Pittosporum is a compact evergreen shrub with beautiful light green and cream variegated foliage. Its dense, mounding growth makes it a great choice for borders, foundations, or adding contrast to the landscape. Fragrant blossoms may appear in spring with a sweet, citrus-like scent.

It is also salt tolerant and generally considered deer resistant, although no plant is completely deer-proof.

 
 

‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia

‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia has delicate, bamboo-like evergreen foliage that gives this shrub a wonderfully soft texture. Unlike many traditional Mahonias, its foliage is spineless and soft to the touch.

Bright yellow flowers provide beautiful color in fall and winter, followed by decorative blue-black berries.

 
 

Carex or Sedge

Carex, commonly called sedge, is a mounding, grass-like plant that adds beautiful texture to shady areas. Depending on the variety, foliage may be green, golden, striped, or variegated.

Use Carex as an accent, along borders, or plant several together for a larger sweep of texture and color.

 
 

‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’ Pittosporum

‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’ Pittosporum is a compact, mounding evergreen shrub with glossy dark green foliage. Its naturally rounded growth habit generally requires little pruning to maintain an attractive shape.

It makes a beautiful low-growing foundation plant, border, or mass planting in areas with part shade.

 
 

Dwarf Hydrangea

Love Hydrangeas but don’t have room for a large shrub? Compact Hydrangea varieties give you those beautiful blooms on a smaller plant that can fit into tighter landscape spaces or containers.

Depending on the variety, flowers may be blue, pink, white, or other beautiful shades. Here in East Texas, most Hydrangeas appreciate protection from our intense afternoon sun.

 
 

Sun to Partial Sun

 

‘Little John’ Dwarf Bottlebrush

‘Little John’ Dwarf Bottlebrush gets its name from the bright red, brush-like flowers that stand out beautifully against its narrow blue-green foliage.

Blooms can appear repeatedly during the warm growing season and are attractive to pollinators. This compact shrub performs best with plenty of sunlight and is generally considered deer resistant.

 
 

Reblooming Azaleas

Reblooming Azaleas bring beautiful color to the landscape with a major spring bloom followed by additional flowering at other times during the growing season.

Available in shades of red, white, pink, purple, and more, compact varieties work beautifully in landscape beds and larger containers. Bloom frequency and timing can vary by variety and growing conditions.

 
 

Dwarf Spirea

Dwarf Spirea varieties provide plenty of interest without taking up a lot of space. Depending on the variety, foliage may be dark green, lime green, golden yellow, or a combination of colors as new growth emerges.

Clusters of flowers add even more color during the growing season. Give Spirea plenty of sunlight for its best flowering and foliage color.

 
 

Drift® Roses

Drift® Roses are one of our favorite choices when you want lots of flowers on a compact, low-growing shrub. They bloom repeatedly from spring through fall and work beautifully along borders, in mass plantings, or anywhere you want a big pop of color without a large plant.

Depending on the variety, blooms are available in shades including red, peach, apricot, white, and pink. Plant in plenty of sun for the best flowering.

 
 

Dwarf Abelia

Dwarf Abelia varieties are compact shrubs prized for their colorful foliage and long season of interest. Depending on the variety, leaves may be solid green, golden, or beautifully variegated.

Clusters of small flowers appear throughout the warm growing season and are attractive to pollinators. Abelia works beautifully as a low hedge, foundation plant, or colorful addition to a mixed landscape bed.

 
 

Dwarf Distylium Varieties

Dwarf Distylium varieties are tough evergreen shrubs with small, glossy leaves and naturally dense growth. Their low, spreading habit makes them especially useful for foundation plantings, borders, and mass plantings.

They’re adaptable, relatively low maintenance, and a great alternative when you want a dependable evergreen shrub with a clean, modern appearance.

 
 

‘Soft Touch’ Holly

‘Soft Touch’ Holly is a dense, naturally rounded evergreen shrub with small, glossy green leaves that are much softer to the touch than the foliage of many traditional hollies.

Its compact size and tidy growth habit make it a great choice for foundation plantings, low hedges, borders, and mass plantings. It’s also easy to grow and requires relatively little pruning when given enough room to reach its natural size.