Shrubs provide a beautiful and fragrant backdrop to home gardens. Shrubs are ideal for natural fencing in order to provide privacy or simply keep large wildlife out. Using shrubs for natural fencing also eliminates the need for replacement of standard wood or metal fences. Whether the need is for tall or short fencing, these shrubs can fit the need.

Buddleia: Buddleia, more commonly known as butterfly bushes, grows to be 10-20 feet tall and up to 15 feet in width. These bushes offer flower clusters in shades of purple and orange. They bloom in early summer producing a light fragrance. Buddleias prefer plenty of sunshine along with well drained soil rich in loam.

Chaenomeles: Chaenomeles, commonly known as flowering quinces, grow to be 3-6 feet in height. They bloom in the late spring offering pink, red, and white flowers one to two inches on diameter. Chaenomeles favor sunny areas.

Cornus: Cornus, commonly known as dogwood, come in a variety of sizes. They offer small white or yellow flowers in the mid to late spring. Cornus enjoy lots of sunshine and will easily grow in any good soil.

Daphne: Daphne grows to a height of three feet. In the spring this shrub will produce pinkish white flowers and some berries along with a lilting fragrance. Daphne enjoys abundant sunshine and cool roots. Daphne will grow in any good soil but prefers a loose sandy soil that is neutral or even slightly alkaline.

Hydrangeas: Hydrangeas grow in large cluster producing white, pink, blue, or purple flowers. They like partial sun with moist, well drained soil.

Potentilla: Potentilla, also known as bush cinquefoil, grows to be 2-4 feet in height. These lovely bushes bloom all summer offering bright yellow, red, or white flowers throughout the season. Potentillas favor both full and partial sun along with ordinary garden soil and good drainage.

Rhododendron: Rhododendrons grow to be 3-6 feet in height depending on the variety. They bloom late spring to midsummer producing pink, red, rose, orange, cream, or yellow blossoms. They prefer partial sunlight along with moist, acidic soil.

Spirea: Spireas grow to heights of 4 to 8 feet. They bloom late spring through early summer offering flowers in shades of white, pink, and red. Spireas thrive in almost any type of garden soil while bathing in partial sunlight. An additional bonus to Spireas is the ability to move them as necessary without harm. They have virtually no pests and can easily be regenerated by cutting the bush back to the ground.

Syringa: Syringa, commonly known as lilacs, grow to be 20-30 feet in height while offering purple, pink, yellow,  and white flowers. They bloom in the spring under partial sunlight. Lilacs prefer neutral soil with either peat moss or leaf mold added to it. To ensure heavy blooms from year to year prune off flowers heads as soon as they die.

Viburnums: Viburnums grow to a variety of heights and widths depending on their space. Most of these shrubs bloom in the spring but vary with climate conditions and “mood”. The flowers are shades of white, cream, and bright red while offering colored foliage in the fall. Viburnums grow best in partial sunlight and are tolerant of most soil types.