Flowering shrubs

Rhododendron: planting, care and acidic soil

The rhododendron is the undisputed star of acidic soil: in spring, it’s covered in vibrant clusters of flowers set against evergreen foliage that provides year-round interest. Hardy and long-lived, it...

Acid-loving plants: a guide to acidic soil

Rhododendron, azalea, camellia, leucothoe, pieris, heather: these star plants have one thing in common—they hate lime and need acidic soil, the famous ericaceous soil. Planted in partial shade, in cool,...

Butterfly bush (buddleia): pruning and care

The butterfly bush, or buddleia, lives up to its name: from June onward, its long, fragrant flower clusters become covered in butterflies and bees. This hardy, fast-growing, virtually indestructible shrub...

Which hibiscus should you choose? Hardy varieti...

There are two very different plants hiding under the name “hibiscus,” and once you’ve picked the right one, you still need to choose from a whole palette of varieties. Here’s...

Flowering shrubs: which ones to choose for a ga...

A garden that blooms from spring through fall starts with choosing the right flowering shrubs. Magnolias in spring, hydrangeas and hibiscus in summer, witch hazel in winter: combine the right...

Which hydrangea should you choose? A comparison...

With such a wide variety of hydrangeas (large colorful mopheads, white cone-shaped panicles, climbing varieties), it can be hard to know which one to plant. The good news: choosing comes...