Top Picks for Rapidly Expanding Shrubs, as Suggested by Gardening Experts
Refresh your outdoor space with these fast-growing shrubs that bring structure and various garden trends to your garden. Unlike annual bloomers, these shrubs create long-lasting appeal. Use them in a variety of settings such as hedging, border ornamentals, or even container plants.
From show-stopping fragrant bloomers good for wildlife to color-changing leaf varieties, there's a shrub perfect for your garden. Tall, evergreen ones provide shade, shelter, or screening, while some deciduous shrubs dazzle in winter with vibrant bark.
Here's a list of fast-growing shrubs that experts recommend, along with their insights and care tips:
Speed up Garden Makeovers with These 8 Rapid-Growing Shrubs
While many shrubs thrive in drought conditions, regular watering is still essential for fast-growing ones during their early stages. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and keep weeds at bay, but keep the mulch away from the main stem to prevent rot and disease.
1. Photinia "Red Robin"
Emma Fell, head of horticulture at Hillier, suggests Photinia fraseri "Red Robin" for our list of fast-growing shrubs. With vibrant red new growth in spring and the ability to tolerate pruning for a striking alternative to traditional hedging plants, this evergreen shrub can reach four to five meters tall. More compact versions like "Little Red Robin" are ideal for planting in small spaces.
2. Buddleia "Butterfly Bush"
Chris Bonnett of GardeningExpress recommends planting this shrub for its striking purple flowers that draw butterflies and other pollinators. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, with pruning recommended in early spring to encourage fresh stems and deadheading to extend the blooming period.
3. Euphorbia "Wulfenii"
Dickon Harding, gardens and landscape manager at Raby Castle, ranks this Mediterranean native first due to its dazzling displays of yellow-green whorls of flowers. Striking for pollinators, it performs best in full sun and well-draining soil. Treat individual stems as biennials, letting them flower in their second year and cutting them off after blooming for continuous fresh growth.
4. Common Ninebark
Emma recommends Physocarpus opulifolius for its bold foliage in various shades ranging from deep burgundy tones to bright golden leaves. Her picks, "Diabolo" and "Lady in Red," bring extra seasonal interest with pink or white flowers in early summer and decorative seed heads in fall. These shrubs are easy to grow in most soil types and rewarding for those seeking a touch of allure in their gardens.
5. Golden Mock Orange
Chris also suggests the golden mock orange for its orange-scented flowers and bright yellow leaves. It grows well in a border and copes with poor soil conditions. Ideal planting location is full sun with limited shade to encourage optimal flowering. After flowering, trim the oldest stems to maintain its shape.
6. Red-Barked Dogwood
If you're after winter color, red-barked dogwood could be your pick. It thrives in moist and well-drained soil, offering vibrant red stems in any garden setting. Plant it in full sun for the brightest bark color, and avoid pruning it once established to preserve its natural beauty.
7. Hebe Rakaiensis
Dickon highlights Hebe rakaiensis as another great plant for pollinators. It forms a compact mound that offers year-round color. These New Zealand natives are generally trouble-free, but their dense foliage can create fungal diseases. Plant it in well-draining soil that gets full sun or partial shade and let it work well as a rockery plant.
8. Hydrangea "Annabelle"
Dickon recommends Hydrangea arborescens "Annabelle" for its large, showy blooms. "Annabelle" is available at Crocus and its flowers are as beautiful in the garden as they are in a vase. Follow our guides on "when to plant hydrangeas" and "how to prune hydrangeas" for caring tips on incorporating this shrub in your garden.
- For a home with a touch of allure in its landscaping, consider planting Common Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), as it offers bold foliage in various shades and adds seasonal interest with pink or white flowers in early summer.
- To create a focal point in your home-and-garden or lifestyle space, the fragrant golden mock orange is a suitable choice, with its orange-scented flowers and bright yellow leaves that thrive in a border.
- To brighten up your wellness or gardening sanctuary, the red-barked dogwood (Cornus alba) is an excellent option, offering vibrant red stems in any garden setting, which can be fully appreciated during the winter months.
- If you're looking to speed up your garden makeovers with fast-growing shrubs, the evergreen Photinia "Red Robin" is a great pick, as it boasts vibrant red new growth in spring and can reach four to five meters tall, making it ideal for a variety of settings like hedging, borders, or containers.
