Shrubs

• Flowering shrubs for spring and summer color
• Evergreen shrubs that hold their leaves all year
• Privacy and hedge shrubs for living fences
• Native shrubs for birds, bees and butterflies
• Deer-resistant shrubs for yards with heavy browsing
• Shade-tolerant shrubs for spots under trees

Three questions narrow the choice quickly:

• What's your growing zone? Our shrubs cover zones 2 through 10. Use the zone filter above, because a shrub planted outside its zone range is the most common reason a new planting fails.
• How much sun does the spot get? Six or more hours of direct sun counts as full sun. Under trees or on the north side of a house, choose shade-tolerant shrubs such as smooth hydrangea , spicebush or witch hazel .
• How big will it get? Check mature height and width on each product page. Space shrubs about half their mature width apart so they fill in without crowding, and keep them at least that far from walls and walkways.

Flowering shrubs such as forsythia , weigela , hydrangea and snowball viburnum put on a seasonal show, and most drop their leaves in winter. Evergreen shrubs such as boxwood and arborvitae keep their foliage year-round, which makes them the backbone of foundation plantings and hedges. Most well-planned yards use both: evergreens for structure, flowering shrubs layered in front for color.

For a living fence, pick dense, fast-growing shrubs and plant them in a staggered double row so gaps close sooner. Green Giant arborvitae grows tall and narrow for screening a property line; boxwood makes a low, formal edge that takes regular shearing; and forsythia or arrowwood viburnum form a looser, flowering screen. Most privacy shrubs go in 3 to 5 feet apart depending on variety. Closer spacing fills in faster but needs more plants.

Native shrubs evolved alongside local wildlife, so they tend to feed it better than imported plants do. Arrowwood viburnum produces blue-black berries that songbirds eat in fall, spicebush hosts the spicebush swallowtail butterfly, and red osier dogwood adds red winter stems along with berries. Other natives we grow include Carolina allspice and witch hazel . Once established, natives usually need less watering and fertilizer than exotic shrubs.

We dig and ship shrubs while they're dormant. Without a heavy pot of soil, bare-root plants cost less to ship, which keeps prices low, and their roots move straight into your native soil instead of staying in potting mix. Expect a dormant stem with roots when your order arrives, not a leafed-out shrub. Leaves appear once the weather warms, and most shrubs settle in within their first growing season. Our bare-root guide explains what to look for when you unpack them.

Shrubs ship [November through April], during dormancy, when they transplant with the least stress. Fall is an excellent time to plant in most of the country: the soil stays warm enough for roots to grow before winter, so the shrub is ready to leaf out in spring. If the ground is frozen when your order arrives, keep the roots moist and the package somewhere cool until you can plant. See our planting instructions for step-by-step help.

What is the best month to plant shrubs?

Fall (October–November) and early spring (March–April) are best in most zones. The weather is cool, rain is more reliable, and dormant shrubs settle in before summer heat.

What are the best shrubs for privacy?

Privet, Green Giant arborvitae and boxwood are dense and easy to shape. For an informal screen with flowers, try forsythia or arrowwood viburnum.

What are some affordable shrubs I can buy online?

Most shrubs at TN Nursery cost $14.99–$21.99, including blue hydrangea and Green Velvet boxwood at $14.99. Watch for our buy-one-get-one sales.

What are the easiest shrubs for beginners?

Forsythia, smooth hydrangea, weigela and red osier dogwood tolerate a wide range of soils, need little pruning, and grow quickly.

Do you ship shrubs to my state?

We ship nationwide [except to: LIST ANY RESTRICTED STATES]. Each product page shows its shipping window.

What if my shrub doesn't grow?

[ONE OR TWO SENTENCES SUMMARIZING YOUR WARRANTY TERMS.] See our warranty for details.