Bushes of Missouri

Deciduous Holly Bushes

• Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a deciduous form of holly growing between 3 to 12 feet in Missouri in swamps, near water and in thickets. Winterberry's foliage is unreliable in terms of fall color, but its colorful fruits are its main aspect. The berries are bright red and sometimes remain on the bush through winter into spring, providing plenty of color through the drab, cold months. Possum haw (Ilex decidua) is a holly found in southern and extreme eastern Missouri, growing between 9 and 18 feet tall. Possum haw works as a screen, in groups or as a foundation species, generating red berries. Its leaves change to yellow in autumn.

Viburnum Bushes

• Found across almost all of Missouri, blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) matures to 15 feet. The deciduous bush has dark green leaves, but by fall its color is usually purple. Blackhaw viburnum generates white spring flowers and fruits that transition from pink shades to black. The University of Connecticut Plant Database notes it is easy to grow, not difficult to transplant, and adapts to many kinds of soils. Forested slopes overlooking the Salt River are the Missouri haunts of arrowwood viburnum, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. This bush grows to 10 feet, produces white flowers in May and black fruits that wildlife find and eat. Arrowwood viburnum serves as a screen or hedge.

Sumac Bushes

• Utilize fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) as a ground cover or along woodland borders to take advantage of its ability to spread through suckering. Fragrant sumac is a bush that handles shade or sun, grows between 2 and 6 feet tall, and possesses showy orange, red and purple fall foliage. The female specimens generate clusters of red berries by August. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) grows taller -- to 15 feet -- and thrives in open areas throughout Missouri, such as prairies and abandoned fields. Smooth sumac is suitable for naturalized areas and as a plant to prevent erosion; it features colorful fall foliage and interesting, hairy stems.

Witch Hazel Bushes

• Line shrub borders or form tall screens along your property edges with common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Native to Missouri, this bush sometimes grows to 20 feet high. It blooms yellow flowers from October into late fall. In many instances, the flowers emerge after the fall leaves turn yellow and drop off. Ozark witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) grows between 8 to 15 feet, tolerates rocky soil as well as heavy clay, and produces flowers as early as January and well into March. Ozark witch hazel serves as a specimen plant.