6 Reasons Why Shrubs Are Still a Great Garden Investment

By Natalie Carmolli – Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Shrubs

Shrubs could be perfectly positioned to take center stage in home landscapes over the next few years, and it’s easy to see why. As homeowners seek low-maintenance, eco-friendly, and visually impactful landscaping solutions, shrubs check every box. But in an uncertain economy, these landscape workhorses offer something even more valuable— a choice that stands the test of time.

Here are six reasons why shrubs are an investment that can still pay off, no matter what the stock market is doing:

1. Low-maintenance, High Reward
   Shrubs require minimal care compared to annuals and perennials, with fewer demands for costly watering, fertilizing, and time-consuming pruning. Cultivars such as Oso Easy® roses are even self-cleaning (dropping spent flowers without deadheading) and naturally compact, eliminating the need for constant shaping. Less work, more beauty—what’s not to love?

Oso Easy Peasy® rose, USDA 4-9, 3-4.5’ tall/wide

2. Multi-Season Interest
   Unlike plants that fade and have to be discarded at the end of the season, shrubs offer year-round appeal. Whether it’s spring blooms, lush summer foliage, vibrant fall color, or striking winter structure, there’s a shrub that can help keep landscapes looking dynamic for all 12 months of the year.
3. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
   Today’s savvy gardener is more focused on sustainability, and shrubs can play a crucial role in water conservation, soil stabilization, and wildlife support. Here are some great examples:

• Pugster Blue® butterfly bush (Buddleia) is super drought tolerant and reduces reliance on irrigation. In fact, it’s a Blue Ribbon award winner in the UC Davis (California) low-water use plant irrigation trials. Plus, it doubles up on its eco-friendly qualities as a non-invasive cultivar!

Pugster Blue® butterfly bush, USDA 5-9, 2-3’ tall/wide

• Low Scape Snowfire® black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a deep-rooted native species that can help prevent soil erosion and improve soil health by breaking up compacted soil and supporting microbial life. Plus, it provides loads of spring flowers for pollinators and summer berries that support wildlife!

Low Scape Snowfire® black chokeberry, USDA 3-9, 4-6’ tall, 3-4’ wide

• Sugar Shack® buttonbush (Cephalanthus) is a native species that provides nectar and shelter for birds, bees, and butterflies. Compact, super hardy, and heat tolerant, it’s also a 2024 Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Gold Medal winner.

Sugar Shack® buttonbush, USDA 4-10, 4-5’ tall/wide

4. Perfect for Small Spaces
   Whether you’re adding a shrub to an already established garden in a rural setting, or rooftop container gardening in the city, homeowners need plants that deliver maximum impact in minimal space. Dwarf and compact shrubs fit perfectly in tight areas, offering structure, privacy, and color without overwhelming small spaces.
   
   Try these dwarf cultivars:

• Tiny Quick Fire® panicle hydrangea ( paniculata) Thought you didn’t have room for a panicle hydrangea? Think again! Early blooming and super easy to grow.

Tiny Quick Fire® panicle hydrangea, USDA 3-8, 1.5-3’ tall, 2-3’ wide

• Sweet & Lo™ sweet box (Sarcococca) A lovely little broadleaf evergreen with early spring/late winter jasmine-scented blooms. Deer-resistant and shade tolerant.

Sweet & Lo™ sweet box, USDA 5-9, 1.5-2.5’ tall, 2-3’ wide

5. Designer Appeal with Minimal Effort
   Landscape design trends are shifting toward native, layered plantings that mimic nature. Shrubs serve as the backbone of these designs, creating depth and texture while harmonizing with perennials, grasses, and trees.
   
   Whether planted as a single specimen or as a grouping, tall and narrow arborvitae like Sting® arborvitae (Thuja) anchor a landscape design and, in different quantities, can work in almost any size garden.

Sting® arborvitae, USDA 3-8, 15-20’ tall, 1-1.5’ wide

6. Exciting Shrub Innovations
   Thanks to forward-thinking and innovative plant breeding, today’s shrubs are more colorful, long-blooming, and garden-friendly than ever. From hydrangeas that bloom without stopping all summer long, like Let’s Dance Sky View® Continuous Blooming Hydrangea ( macrophylla/serrata hybrid), to non-invasive species of old landscape favorites like Fire Ball Seedless® burning bush (Euonymus alatus) innovations are making shrubs easier to site and maintain, and provide lasting beauty to any home landscape.

Let’s Dance Sky View® Continuous Blooming Hydrangea, USDA 4-9, 2-3 tall, 2-4’ wide

Fire Ball Seedless® non-invasive burning bush, USDA 4-8, 5-7’ tall/wide

The Takeaway

In uncertain economic times, people want to make smart, lasting choices—and shrubs are one of the best long-term investments you can make for your garden. With their low maintenance, multi-season appeal, and sustainability benefits, they offer homeowners beauty, value, and peace of mind for years to come.

All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.

Article URL:
https://www.gardensmart.com/?p=articles&title=6_Reasons_Why_Shrubs_Are_Still_a_Great_Garden_Investment