Blooming Time for Shrubs

Time Frame

• The majority of flowering shrubs bloom during spring into early summer, but some types bloom earlier or later. Among those that bloom as early as March are white forsythia, American hazelnut, winter hazel and pussy willow. Late bloomers, often flowering into October, include witch hazel, disanthus, many hibiscus species and many shrub roses.

Significance

• By knowing when a shrub blooms, the landscaper can place it in a suitable spot on the property to take advantage of its flowers. For example, an area devoid of trees capable of providing colorful fall foliage benefits from the presence of a shrub that flowers into or during the autumn season, such as witch hazel.

Effects

• In some instances, the homeowner gets additional blooming time out of a shrub from the effects of pruning it back after its initial blooming. One example is the spirea, a native of Europe that blooms during May and June, but often blooms again in summer after light shearing, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden.