Red bushes for landscaping are the perfect look to add to your gardens during the fall-to-winter transition.
There are various red bushes to utilize to easily add color to your home and make it feel cozier! Today, we list our top seven bushes that will transform your gardens.
Contents
List of Red Bushes for Landscaping
1. Burning Bush
The burning bush is one of the richest and most loved bushes that you can add to your landscape if you are looking for a red bush.
– Features
This beautiful shrub starts growing at three feet tall, and grows when its optimal care is given and becomes almost 20 feet tall. In addition, you must plant the next one almost five feet apart, so that it grows fully to its width and doesn’t feel like it lacks the space to grow.
This shrub has multiple branches and grows them all together, with its red-colored leaves showing up brightly. They are usually the colors of red and orange, but the more you xpand the more you see that it has multiple shades of both colors.
– Care Requirement
You must locate this bush in a place where it would receive full to partial shades of sun so that it thrives and shows you its crimson-red colors. If it is given more shade than the required sunlight, then this will affect the foliage and the growth of the bush.
One of the reasons why this plant is loved is because it is drought tolerant and it will not require heavy watering. It requires one inch of water through every rainfall, and it will thrive. It does best when it grows in zones 4 to 8 as per the USDA’s requirement.
In addition, the soil that this shrub prefers should be well draining, with slightly acidic soil, and note that you can place liquid fertilizers to see it grow more, in the soil.
2. Oakleaf Hydrangea
The colorful leaves that mimic those of an oak tree give the oakleaf hydrangea its name.
– Features
Similar to other types of hydrangea, these bushes bloom in the summer with white blooms that turn pinkish-brown in the fall. The foliage of oakleaf hydrangea, which turns crimson, orange, or burgundy in the fall, makes it so popular.
– Characteristics
Because its branches also feature a lovely peeling bark in the winter, oakleaf hydrangea is an excellent option for adding year-round interest to your landscape, as this is one of its prominent characteristics. Although it can tolerate little shade, full sun is best for achieving the best color.
– Care
It is best to plant oakleaf hydrangea in late fall or early spring to keep the plant healthy and damage-free from hot weather. The optimal growing conditions for this shrub are full sun or partial shade, rich, slightly acidic soil, and good drainage. It prefers damp soil. Therefore, a substantial mulch layer over the root zone will help keep the soil there moist.
– Light
Oakleaf hydrangeas like midday shadow because they are understory plants in their natural habitat, especially in southern climes where nearly full shade may be required. Oakleaf hydrangeas may tolerate full sun in the North. The intensity of the fall color could be diminished by too much shade.
– Water
These plants prefer moist soil and require more water as their exposure to sunshine increases. A dense mulch covering the area beneath the bush will aid in preserving soil moisture.
– Soil
Grow oakleaf hydrangea on well-drained soil with a pH range of 5.0 to 6.5, which is slightly acidic and has been heavily composted with organic matter.
3. Dwarf Fothergilla
The dwarf fothergilla is a little shrub with fragrant white flowers that emerge in the spring.
– Features
The summer’s deep green leaves turn dazzling colors of crimson, yellow, and orange in the fall. The greatest place to put a dwarf fothergilla is in a sunny or partly sunny area because the more light it gets, the more vibrant its autumnal colors are likely to be.
– Characteristics
The dwarf fothergilla shrub known as “Mount Airy” has an upright growth habit and grows three to five feet tall and wide. Another common name for this shrub is “bottle brush” because it is capped with white blooms that resemble tiny bottle brushes and are one to three inches long in the spring.
Note that the flowers have a faint licorice scent and blossom in mid or early spring, and this is one of its characteristics. You will be reminded of witch hazel by the leaves because Fothergilla gardenii is connected to it.
– Care
You must keep in mind that the suckers do help fothergillas spread. Remove the suckers as soon as you find them to prevent their spread. However, because of its propensity to sucker, getting more of this plant is simple: A sucker can be easily dug up, with as much root as possible, and moved where needed.
– Sun and soil
The shrub species are native to the American Southeast. Planting zones 5 to 8 are suitable for “Mount Airy.”
You can plant these bushes anywhere from full sun to light shade. They thrive on soil that is somewhat acidic in pH, well-drained, and moderately moist. In addition, note that you must utilize compost to fertilize them, if you want an organic manner, of course, to avoid using chemicals.
4. Heavenly Bamboo
Despite its widespread name, the heavenly bamboo is also known as the Nandina Domestica and it is a blooming, evergreen shrub native to eastern Asia. The common term “Nandina domestica” refers to this beautiful flowering shrub grown for its cane-like stems and finely textured leaves resembling bamboo.
– Features
Heavenly bamboo has leaves that change from pink to green to red as the seasons change, giving off a vibrant and ever-changing display of color all year long. Tiny white blooms would flower in the spring and are followed by brilliant red berries that last all winter.
Planting or transplanting this eye-catching, low-maintenance plant during the cooler fall months will let you include it in your garden. Until it reaches its mature height, it grows by around one to two feet yearly.
– Care
Nandina Domestica, a beautiful evergreen plant of the Berberidaceae family, is also known as heaven’s bamboo. It thrives in somewhat humid, sunny environments and is best grown in USDA zones 6 through 9.
Although heavenly bamboo can endure temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, it cannot take subfreezing conditions for very long.
Once planted, heavenly bamboo usually requires little care and is devoid of pests and diseases. Note that this hardy shrub is frequently used in container gardens, informal hedges, shrub borders, and foundation plantings.
– Light
Heavenly bamboo can grow in various lighting situations, including full sun and moderate shades of light. However, heavenly bamboo should be cultivated in full light to get the brightest hues.
– Water
Water the heavenly bamboo thoroughly and frequently during the first growing season to help it develop a strong root structure. Consistently moisten the soil, but you must never let it become soggy because it can be harmful as it develops root rot.
The beautiful bamboo planted in pots will require even more regular watering than plants grown in the garden, so keep that in mind. Once they have grown to a mature state, heavenly bamboo plants are more drought resistant and tolerant of brief droughts. Water is necessary after the first growing season so that it begins with a healthy start.
– Soil
Heavenly bamboo is not particular about the type of soil it grows in, but the best results will come from moist, nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. However, you may enhance drainage by adding perlite, sand, or well-composted debris if necessary.
5. Japanese Barberry
Berberis thunbergii, also known as Japanese barberry, is a hardy deciduous shrub with a multi-stemmed growth habit. It is one of the best shrubs with red leaves all year.
Japanese barberry spreads mostly with the aid of birds that consume the berries and by creeping roots and seeds that self-seed.
– Features
These flowering shrubs mature around five feet tall and wide and have a rounded growth habit. They have green leaves and mid-spring blooms of pale yellow flowers. In the fall season, the leaves change and show some gorgeous red, orange, purple, and yellow hues.
Overall, they are prized for the winter interest they offer because they also have prickly thorns and crimson, oblong berries that persist far into the colder months.
– Care
Japanese barberry is a relatively simple plant with minimal pest or disease problems. They should be spaced about three feet apart when planted in groups or as a hedge row, since they will quickly fill in and form an impenetrable thorny wall.
The only maintenance this shrub typically requires is pruning, and even that requires little effort unless you have specific requirements for the shrub’s size or shape.
– Light
In the broad sun, Japanese barberry grows best. However, it can handle some shade, particularly in the warmest parts of its growing zones. Note that to see it thrive it needs seven hours of sunlight every day, which is excellent for vibrant, luxuriant foliage to show.
– Water
Since Japanese barberries can withstand drought well, you won’t need to water your plant except during extended dry spells. During the growing season, if the plant’s leaves are drooping or dropping off, it usually indicates that it requires some water. Additionally, rinse a new shrub frequently to keep the soil just a little damp during its first growing season.
– Soil
In typical soil, this shrub can be grown easily. As long as enough drainage, it can withstand various soil conditions. Root rot may result from wet soil, as the soil is left with a heavy amount of water, and the roots would develop fungi in the moist environment.
6. Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush is also known as the Buddleia davidii. It is a deciduous shrub with an arching form and stunning flowers, grows best in warmer areas.
– Characteristics
It produces more like a perennial in colder climates, with each winter’s growth dying back to the root crown and regrowth occurring in spring.
– Features
Thanks to the magic of cultivar developers, butterfly bush now comes in various hues, with somewhat coarse leaves and beautiful flowers, similar to fringe flower, spikes that draw pollinators.
There are many varieties to choose from, depending on your gardening interests; some can reach heights of up to 12 feet, while others are modest. While some types generate flowering spikes, others produce huge flower clusters. The sage green, long, narrow leaves are supported by skinny, arching stalks, and this is what makes it unique.
– Care
It is not surprising that butterfly bushes are so popular, given their aesthetic appeal, ease of maintenance, and comfort of growth. These resilient bushes are relatively unaffected by even powerful storms. They flourish in challenging conditions, such as polluted metropolitan areas.
– Light
Butterfly bush needs full light, which is best if it is at least six hours per day; if planted in shaded settings, they will become weedy and sparse.
– Water
Butterfly bush prefers a medium moisture level, and it struggles in either an environment that is too dry or too wet that doesn’t drain effectively. They only require half an inch of water per week from irrigation or rain to grow.
– Soil
Any typical soil that is well-drained and receives regular amounts of precipitation can support the growth of butterfly bushes. It requires slightly acidic to neutralize soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
7. Red Twig Dogwood
Red twig dogwood’s (Cornus alba) vivid red branches will add color to your winter landscape.
– Features
It is quite similar to diabolo ninebark in terms of reaching deep fall colors. Still, the bushes can also add interest throughout the year with their lovely spring blooms, variegated leaves in the summer, and berries from summer to fall.
Numerous dogwood species have cultivars whose popular names include the term “red twig.” These shrubs have small, flat clusters of white flowers and dark green or variegated leaves which are often greenish-gray with a white edging, depending on the type.
– Care
Red twig dogwoods are among the few plants that do well in wet environments and have a high tolerance for most soil and light conditions. The finest color is on young stems. Thus, regularly removing a few of the oldest branches each year is advised. Trim the roots around the plant’s base with a spade if the bushes start to spread out too much.
– Light
Red twig dogwoods may take some shade, but planting them in full sun will bring out the red color in their distinctive bark.
– Water
These plants thrive in low locations, by streams or ponds, and prefer damp environments. For the first few months, water new plants once a week if there is little rain to keep the soil consistently moist. Mature plants require watering only during dry spells lasting longer than a week.
– Soil
Note that these dogwood shrubs with red twigs are thought to grow well in regions with moist soil, for example, wet spots where homeowners may wish to establish woodland gardens, and that is how they thrive.
Conclusion
So, are you ready to make your gardens full of vibrant red leaves all around? Our list provides several red bush options for you to choose from.
Keep in mind:
- Butterfly bushes are best to go in hotter climates, as they blossom and thrive in the heat. The colder climates may lead to delay in blossoms.
- Japanese Barberry can grow at incredible heights, so make sure you have enough space to accommodate this plant.
- Aphrodite Sweetshrub is the best bush to grow in almost all and any climates. So, if you live in a cooler or warm climate, it’s a suitable bush for you.
Excited to color your gardens red? Choose a bush that meets your environment and goes well with your needs.
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