Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a deciduous shrub that forms spikes of lilac blue or pink flowers in late May and will continue to flower for several months. It is a great shrub to plant if your goal is to bring more pollinators to your yard. A fast-spreading plant, chaste tree can reach maturity in three years, producing 2 feet of growth annually, Adrienne Roethling says.

Ideal if you're looking for a shrub that grows to be relatively tall, Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense) reaches maturity in three to five years and can grow up to 18 inches per year. "The most common form of Chinese fringe flowers has green leaves with white flowers or burgundy leaves with rich pink flowers," says Adrienne Roethling. The shrub responds well to pruning, so some may want to grow as a hedge or you can climb them up to provide a canopy of shade for other plants growing beneath it.

A fast-growing shrub that's available in a range of colors, weigela (Weigela florida) offers a showy quality of blooms. "Bare stems give rise to 3 inch long by 1 inch wide leaves in spring followed by a burst of color from the flowers," says Adrienne Roethling. "Numerous, tubular shaped flowers are born at every leaf."

Typically the flowers are pink or white, but newer varieties come in red, magenta, or white and change to pink. This plant should reach maturity in about three years, growing up to 12 inches tall in 12 months.

Izu tree (Distylium) is a fast-growing shrub that has become increasingly popular over the last decade. "Its adaptability and ease of care moved it into the spotlight as it can handle wet but not flooded soils to drier conditions and part shade to full sun," says Jon Roethling, the director of Reynolda Gardens. "Leaves can range from a blue-green to lustrous dark green and typically tend to be narrower in appearance."

A low-maintenance shrub with fragrant white flowers, viburnum blooms from spring to fall. Coppertop Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum 'BRANT01') is a fast-growing variety that's commonly grown as a privacy hedge, but can also be grown as an accent shrub. "This has quickly become one of my favorite screening plants," says Jim Putnam from Southern Living Plant Collection. "It's a very fast-growing evergreen shrub and all of the new growth is a beautiful coppery color that matures to a striking dark green. Mine have tripled in size in one year since I planted them."

Hydrangeas are widely recognized for their beautiful, showy blooms, but they're also a great plant to grow if you're looking for something that grows fast. "Panicled hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) is a deciduous shrub that produces medium to large, elliptical to oval shaped, bright green leaves in mid-spring," says Adrienne Roethling, garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden.

Shortly after, panicles of flowers appear in a cone-shaped inflorescence. "Flowers last well throughout the summer months and turn a red or cinnamon color in fall," says Adrienne Roethling. Expect the shrub to reach maturity within three years, growing 12 inches or more a year if conditions are ideal.

Play up the sense of drama in the shaded areas of your yard with Twilight' Heucherella (Heucherella hybrid 'Twilight' PP25723), which has dark foliage in shades of purple, burgundy, and silver tones. It's also a great shrub to plant if you're looking for something to complement the colors of surrounding plants. “The top of each leaf is a charcoal green that is accented by a bright purple underside," says Putnam. "With that pop of contrast, it’s an absolutely stunning plant.”

Although bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) produce more flowers in locations with greater sunlight, the shrub can still grow and thrive in shade. "Tubular white flowers arranged in breathtaking candlestick-like panicles make bottlebrush buckeye a great summer-flowering shrub for shady areas." The panicles, which can grow up to 1 foot in length, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Maple-leaved viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) is more shade tolerant than most other viburnums, making it a great addition to the dimly lit patches of your yard. "Small, white lace-cap flowers in spring give way to berries loved by birds that grace the maple-like leaves of Maple-leaved Viburnum," says Young "Its bright green foliage becomes a distinctive bright red, pink, or purple in the fall."

Mahonia is an evergreen shrub with intricate leaf texture that infuses movement into shady spaces. For a thorn-free variety, try 'Soft Caress' Mahonia (Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress' PP20183). It has deep green foliage that shines year-round and bright yellow flowers that provide a pop of color in early winter. “This variety of Mahonia has a beautifully compact growing habit with foliage that mimics bamboo, without the aggressive spreading habit," says Janet Sluis of Sunset Plant Collection.