9 of the Best Shrubs for Any Garden

This unconventional ornamental makes a wonderful accent plant, but it could just as easily be shaped into a unique hedge. Clusters of pink, lemon-scented blossoms attract butterflies to your yard in early summer, then in late summer the shrub produces elderberries that feed birds and other wildlife. Black Beauty elderberry plants are widely adaptable to a range of soil types, and once established, they're easy to care for. A plant will quickly grow to 12 feet tall and just as wide, but it can be pruned if you’d prefer to keep it smaller.

Related: 15 No-Effort Plants for a Foolproof Landscape

Euonymus japonicus is a landscaping superstar, growing up to 15 feet tall and nearly as wide. Its glossy green leaves persist through winter and are punctuated by delicate white flowers in late spring. This hardy shrub tolerates many climates and, once established, requires little watering or maintenance.

Forsythia is a perennial winner, loved for the cheerful yellow blossoms that cover its stems in early spring. The rest of the growing season, the tall shrub remains leafy and green. It can be shaped into a hedge or lightly pruned to accent its natural shape. Either way, this lively shrub makes a low-maintenance addition to your landscape.

The holly family is well loved for its low-maintenance shrubs and trees that come in many sizes. Blue Princess holly is no exception. Hardy and strong, the variety grows between 10 and 15 feet tall and as much as 10 feet wide. Its red berries attract songbirds and other wildlife that feed on the beautiful fruit.

Oakleaf hydrangea is a stunning bloomer that thrives with very little attention, even in harsh, dry climates. More cold hardy than other hydrangea varieties, it also provides four seasons of interest, with leaves that turn brilliant shades of burgundy and orange in fall. In winter, it shows off peeling bark in shades of cinnamon—a welcome contrast to a bleak and snowy winter landscape.

With a pinch of effort and almost no upkeep, you can have the lush, beautiful garden of your dreams. The secret is to choose plant varieties that enjoy a little hardship. We’ve compiled the essential list of hardy flora, with tips for care and maintenance. Go now!