Besides perennials, flowering shrubs are also the ideal pick for those passionate about decorating their New Jersey landscape or garden. They produce blooms with a wide array of colors that deserve a place in your consideration. Some of the best flowering shrubs for New Jersey have long periods of blooming flowers, providing you with year-round beauty despite seasons.
In addition, a few flowering shrubs species in New Jersey are an excellent choice to create privacy. Not to mention, they are generally low-maintenance, making them easier to care for. Are you interested in having one or two of the best flowering shrubs for the New Jersey landscape?
Let’s dive into our amazing list and a quick guide to growing them below!
Table of Contents
Best Flowering Shrubs for New Jersey
Nestled between bustling cities and serene coastlines, New Jersey’s diverse landscape cradles a botanical treasure trove. Among its green tapestries, some of the most enchanting players are the flowering shrubs, bursting into life every season. From the whispering Pine Barrens to the lively city gardens, these shrubs adorn the Garden State with unmatched vibrancy.
Dive into this curated list and discover the blooming wonders that make New Jersey gardens truly exceptional.
1. Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spiraea Prunifolia)
Having double white blossoms that resemble bridal bouquets makes Spirae prunifolia more popular in its common name, Bridal Wreath Spirea. This flowering, deciduous shrub grows clusters of white flowers covering the arching branches that look stand out in early spring. Meanwhile, the leaves will display their charm in fall by turning the greenery into red and orange shades.
Similar to other shrubs, it favors full sun exposure to thrive. In addition, well-drained soil with neutral pH is preferable. Even though it is occasionally drought-tolerant, the shrub needs weekly summer watering. As for maintenance, pruning is vital knowing it is an invasive species that can quickly grow dense.
2. Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera Tatarica)
Some shrubs can be invasive which makes them quite tricky to handle. But, it is not the case with Bush Honeysuckle or Diervilla lonicera.
It is a deciduous, versatile shrub with green to yellow flowers that will turn into exquisite red to purplish color as they fully bloom in summer. Meanwhile, the foliage will showcase its charm in fall when they turn yellow to red shade, creating a fantastic sight in any landscape it grows.
Belonging to low-maintenance shrubs for Ohio, Bush Honeysuckle can tolerate light shade but produce more flowers under full sun exposure. It is generally pest and disease-free also drought-tolerant shrub once established. For the soils, the shrub stands in various kinds of soils yet favors dry to medium moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
3. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja)
This is a fast-growing shrub that is well-known in New Jersey since it provides food for pollinators. Butterfly Bush or Buddleja produces long and heavy head clusters of purple flowers through summer and early fall. The shrub can grow up to 6 feet tall, creating a center point to the landscape.
Before planting Butterfly Bush, you will need to know its growing preferences. Besides needing 8 hours of full sun exposure, it needs some afternoon shade in the southern area.
In addition, it tolerates many soil types as long as they are acidic, moist, and well-drained. This hardy plant also requires hard pruning in late spring to ensure the flowers grow just as the peak butterfly period in August.
4. Canadian Serviceberry (Amelanchier Canadensis)
Based on its growing habit, Canadian Serviceberry or Amelanchier canadensis belongs to both tall shrubs and small trees since it can reach up to 30 feet tall. This attractive tree has fragrant white flowers which grow early, followed by young bronze hairy leaves. As it grows older, Canadian Serviceberry produces bright red berries that will turn purple once they are ready to harvest in late summer to fall.
Considering the wonderful features, Canadian Serviceberry will be a great addition to your New Jersey landscape. In that case, you need to prepare some growing requirements, such as dry to moist, well-drained, acidic soil conditions.
However, you do not have to worry about lighting levels as it can live under the sun, part shade, and shade. Unfortunately, it is prone to pests and diseases even though it is not life-threatening to the plant.
5. Carol Mackie Daphne (Daphne X Burkwoodii)
Not only do the flowers enchanting, but the variegated silvery-green foliage will also win your heart! Carol Mackie Daphne is a semi-evergreen shrub in New Jersey that grows small and rounded in shape.
It is valued for its spectacular mix of pink and white shades of dense flowers, providing a breathtaking view of any New Jersey garden or landscape the shrub grows.
Regarding growing conditions, it is a shade-loving shrub that performs best in neutral, rich, moist, and well-drained soils with sandy-humusy soil types. Since the roots need to be kept at a cool temperature, you have to mulch the soil in the summer. Moreover, this slow-growing shrub is prone to winter wind; thus, sheltering them during the season is necessary.
6. Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea Petiolaris)
While other bushes grow by spreading, Climbing Hydrangea grows up to 50 feet tall, making it the best option for your hedgerow to put a visual interest. Nonetheless, this Hydrangea may take around 3 to 5 years to reach that particular height as it has slow growth. But, it is worth the wait because once it matures, it will pamper you with lovely, fragrant white blossoms surrounded by green leaves all summer.
Furthermore, it is a popular shrub that loves full sun or partial sun exposure to performing well. Like the previous species, it favors rich, constantly moist soil, but is well-drained.
Hence, providing an adequate amount of water is essential for growing Climbing Hydrangea. Also, it is suggested to nourish the plant with compost prior to planting to provide the nutrients needed.
7. Indian Pink (Loganiaceae)
Despite having ‘Pink’ to its name, the flowers of this shrub are not pink at all. Instead, they grow in deep red to scarlet shade. Each of them bears five yellow lobes on top of the tubular flowers, creating a striking combination of colors that attract butterflies.
Meanwhile, hummingbirds are interested in their nectars. Thanks to the stunning flowers, Indian Pink is among the best shrubs for New Jersey that is worth growing. Since its natural habitat is shaded woods, it is no doubt that Indian Pink thrives in partial shade. It also grows well in moist-sandy, rich, fertile soils as long as they are acidic.
To extend their blooming period, you can remove the dead, dry flowers. In addition, this shrub is not suitable to plant nearby aggressive plants as it has no ability to compete.
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8. Japanese Rose (Kerria Japonica)
Considering the beauty it exhibits, this deciduous shrub deserves the RHS Garden Merit Award. True to its name, it bears beautiful flowers with a vibrant yellow color whose shape is similar to roses in general. They hang gracefully on the shrub’s arching stems, creating an alluring spring color. It also has dazzling green foliage in summer that will turn to yellow shade in fall, adding another beauty to the shrub.
Aside from being prestigious species, the Japanese Rose is also pretty easy to maintain. It stands well in both sun and shade in the medium moist, well-drained soils.
Nevertheless, extreme sunlight exposure can cause the fading of flowers’ color. Furthermore, it tolerates dry and wet soil, full shade, and is generally pests and disease-free. Since it has a suckering habit, it will be necessary to prune the shrub in spring.
9. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia Latifolia)
Kalmia latifolia or Mountain Laurel is quite popular, thanks to its white flowers with a touch of pink shade that become the shrub’s hallmarks. They perfectly decorate the plant with an exquisite blend of colors that will captivate you from late spring to early summer.
Not only the blooms, but the glossy, leather, dark green leaves will provide an evergreen color to the landscape; another exquisite center point this shrub has.
Moreover, the low maintenance quality makes it easy for you to take care of Mountain Laurel. It only needs a low-watering requirement; thus, it is easy to care for, especially if you are away.
You just have to make sure that it grows in a spot with partial shade and has moist, rocky, or sandy soils. Considering it is a highly toxic plant, planting it out of reach of humans and animals is highly recommended.
10. Pinxterbloom Azalea (Rhododendron Periclymenoides)
Rhododendron perciclymenoides or Pinxterbloom Azalea is a deciduous shrub that highlights splendid funnel-shaped white and pink flowers with emerging stamens from the center, filling up the reddish-brown stems in spring. Their alluring appeal attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies to visit. Plus, the yellow foliage starts to appear as a sign that fall comes.
Despite being an appealing native plant, it is toxic for humans and animals. Therefore, planting them away from children and pets is a must. However, Pinxterbloom Azalea has better resistance to pests and diseases than other commercially cultivated hybrid Azaleas and relatively tolerates dry sites.
You just need to provide what the plant needs: high organic, moist, acidic soil and full sun. Give the plant shelter from frost as it can damage the flowers. Also, pruning spent flowers is necessary after flowering.
Final Thought
You just need to provide what the plant needs: high organic, moist, acidic soil and full sun. Give the plant shelter from frost as it can damage the flowers. Also, pruning spent flowers is necessary after flowering.
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What flowering bush stays green all year?
From our list of the best flowering shrubs for the New Jersey landscape, Mountain Laurel or Kamila latifolia can provide you with year-round greenery, thanks to its evergreen leaves. Not to mention its enchanting flowers that perfectly decorate the shrub with an exquisite blend of colors that will captivate you from late spring to early summer.
What shrubs grow in New Jersey?
There is quite a number of shrubs that grow in New Jersey, and some of them belong to flowering shrubs (check out for more in our list above).
However, if you are looking for fruiting shrubs, you can try to plant Inkberry Holly. Despite not being edible berries for humans, at least you can provide fruits for birds and other small animals to eat.
Canadian Serviceberry may be your best bet if you still want to try the edible ones. It produces edible berries that you can harvest when they ripen. Additionally, you can enjoy the beautiful flowers before they turn into berries.
