Small Shrubs That Will Make a Big Statement in Your Yard

Whoever said big things come in small packages must have been talking about their home’s landscaping. Regardless of your yard’s size, it’s easy to assume your garden needs an oversized tree or large patch of vibrant flowers to stand out. But in reality? Tiny touches like small shrubs can totally transform a yard or garden. “They are perfect for compact spaces where larger shrubs wouldn't fit, allowing gardeners to include a diverse array of colors and textures even in limited areas,” says Sam Niemann, founder of San Diego-based landscaping firm Grown by Design. “As gardens increasingly trend toward smaller sizes, these shrubs offer a versatile solution for creating visual interest and variety,” says Niemann.

Sprinter Boxwood Plant

Think of a sprinter boxwood (Buxus Microphylla) as a consistent crowd-pleaser—one that can adapt to a range of different climates and needs. “Sprinter boxwoods are exceptionally versatile, able to thrive in diverse light conditions,” Niemann says. “They are hardy, forgiving, and long-lived, making them a great choice for both formal and informal gardens.” Though sprinter boxwoods are slow-growing shrubs—it can typically take three to five years for them to reach maturity—their smaller, denser leaves create a full look that can be trimmed into a bevy of shapes and sizes. In other words, it’s art al fresco.

Bollywood Azalea Flowers

Some small shrubs make a splash with their leaves,  while others “wow” with their flowers. However, if you want to lean into the “more is more” aesthetic, you can’t go wrong with a Bollywood azalea (Rhododendron ‘Farrow’).  This option might be small—it only grows to be about 3 feet tall—but it has variegated leaves and bright pink flowers that command attention. Another thing to love about this semi-evergreen? It’s a total magnet for bees and butterflies, which will give your space an idyllic edge.

Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce Plant

Spruces might be an obvious option for the holidays, but the dwarf globe blue spruce (Picea Pungens ‘Globosa) proves that they’re a great choice year-round. This smaller conifer might take a while to grow to its mature size, but it’s relatively easy to care for and deer-resistant. Let’s not forget that they look good, too. “The dwarf globe blue spruce stands out for its striking icy blue foliage, providing a vivid contrast to other garden plants,” Niemann says. “Its compact size is ideal for smaller flower beds, allowing gardeners to enjoy the unique blue color without needing space for a full-sized spruce.”

Little Lime Hydrangea Flowers

Craving a “wow” moment? Though these shrubs only grow to be 3 to 5 feet tall, their poofy, conical clusters of flowers are the horticultural equivalent of costume jewelry. “They produce beautiful pale green and white flowers that transition to light pink and mauve in the fall, providing extended seasonal interest,” Niemann says. “These blooms dry well, offering winter beauty and making excellent cut flowers.”

Dwarf Korean Lilac Flowers

Tapping out at about 5 feet tall, dwarf Korean lilac (Syringa Meyeri 'Palibin') might be one of the bigger options on this list; however, several gardening pros said this option shouldn’t be overlooked. “The dwarf Korean lilac is known for its fragrant, lavender-pink flowers that bloom profusely in late spring,” says Tony O’Neill, author, expert horticulturist, and founder of Simplify Gardening. “It's a fantastic choice for adding fragrance and color to your garden." To make your lilacs stand out, O’Neill recommends pruning immediately after flowering to promote healthy growth and blooming.

Spirea flowers

For a jolt of color that has a hint of whimsy, you might want to consider a spirea shrub or two. O’Neill is partial to the “gold mound” spirea (Spiraea Japonica), which has vibrant yellow foliage and clusters of pink flowers. Though this species only grows 2 to 3 feet, its can’t-miss scheme will make it stand out. “It's a low-maintenance shrub that adds a pop of color throughout the growing season,” he adds. It’s easy to manage, too: Once this shrub is established, it’s low-maintenance, drought-resistant, and requires minimal pruning.

Buddleja Tutti Frutti Flowers

Speaking of animal-attracting shrubs, consider adding a buddleja tutti frutti to your garden. (These colorful, flowering plants are so notorious for drawing butterflies near them that it’s literally nicknamed “butterfly bush.”) Of course, there’s more to this option than its critter-commanding capabilities. “This wonderfully well-behaved, compact 'butterfly bush' only grows to a neat and compact 24 to 28 inches tall,” says Pim Dickson, horticulturist expert at a garden retailer called Mr Fothergill’s. “Reliable and easy to grow, with its luminously bright fuchsia-pink flower spikes, this is a stunning yet exceptionally versatile little shrub, ideal for any size planting scheme, patio borders, and containers.”

Silverbush flowers

As the Silverbush (Convolvulus Cneorum) proves, you don’t need bright blooms to make a statement. This compact shrub, which can typically grow up to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, offers plenty of visual intrigue with its trumpeted flowers. “The leaves provide a lovely contrast to the green shades of other garden plants, to get the very best out of both,” Dickson says.  “It shows good drought tolerance, so is perfect for patio containers or as a focal point in small borders or dots planted in larger schemes.”  The only drawback to this shrub is it’s not fully frost-hardy, so it’s best to place it in a sunny, sheltered spot so it can survive the winter.

Bearberry flowers

Anyone who is looking to keep pesky weeds at bay will find a lot to love about a bearberry shrub (Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi). These low-slung perennials typically max out at 6 to 12 inches high, making them an excellent choice for ground cover. But don’t write this small shrub off as “strictly practical” just yet: This species often produces small, cherry-like berries that add to their curb appeal. (These berries are edible—and bears reportedly love them—but humans tend to find them tasteless.) Best of all? They’re relatively low-maintenance and are even salt-resistant, making them a great choice for anyone who lives near the ocean.

Deer-Resistant Shrubs That Will Protect Your Garden From Grazing

Shrubs are a beautiful addition to any yard—they fill in gaps between your plantings, offer multiple seasons of interest, and many varieties yield beautiful blooms for added color. While this all sounds great, you may be encountering one issue when it comes to your shrubs: deer. Luckily, peaceful coexistence is possible. It just takes the right type of deer-resistant shrubs.

Alpine Currant 'Green Mound'

Compact, deep green Alpine Currant "Green Mound" (Ribes alpinum 'Green Mound') is Tegland's go-to foundation plant. "This shrub does really well in the shade," she says. "It'll also stay nice and compact with a little pruning. I've almost never seen a deer eat it."

Arborvitae 'American'

Unlike many arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis doesn't appeal to most deer. A natural for backdrops and borders, it grows in a trim, vertical shape you can use to create a dense hedgerow or living fence, Coker says.

Barberry plant

A favorite with our experts, barberry (Berberis spp.) has thorns that deer tend to avoid. "It's trickier for pruning because of the thorns, but there are some really great barberries out there in a lot of different colors, so you can use them in a lot of different spots," Tegland says.

Boxwood plant

Beautiful boxwood (Buxus) contains alkaloids that are distasteful to deer. The stuff of hedges and elaborate topiaries, boxwood also makes a great foundation shrub because it stays green all year round, remains compact, and likes full shade, says Tegland. In her region, USDA Zone 4, keeping these broadleaf evergreens close to the house also helps protect them from winter sun and wind.

Butterfly Bush, Purple Beautiful Flowers

Ornamental, hardy, and self-reliant, butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) brings the whole package to a landscape. Coker likes its range of bloom colors, including blues, purples, pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, and whites. And while humans and pollinators love this deciduous shrub's fragrance, which ranges from honey to lilac, it's a turn-off to deer. Of note: A prolific reseeder, butterfly bush is considered a noxious weed in some regions.

Crape Myrtle Flowers

What good Southerner wouldn't give a shout-out to crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)? This shrub graces parks, landscapes, and highways throughout the region with showy blooms from July to September. Coker's a fan, especially of dark-leaf cultivars like 'Delta Jazz' and 'Sequoyah.' Most varieties put on gorgeous fall color shows, too.

Russian Cypress Trees

Also known as Siberian Arborvitae, ground-hugging Microbiota decussate is a go-to for Tegland on hillsides and among boulders. An evergreen, it has soft, fine-textured, olive-green foliage that turns mahogany brown in the fall. It's wind tolerant and does well in sun or shade. Better still: "I've never seen a deer eat one," she says.

Spirea Leaf Flowers Trees

Spiraea spp. comes in a range of colors and sizes, from big, old-fashioned bridal wreath (Spiraea prunifolia), with its cascading clusters of tiny white flowers, to tiny 'Golden Elf,' at just 6 to 8 inches tall. Depending on the species, spirea makes an elegant focal point or tidy accent shrub.

Stephanandra | Tree Leaf Flowers

Known for being deer-resistant, Stephanandra incisa yields showy white flowers, which bloom on coral stems among maple-like leaves on arching branches. In fall, leaves turn yellow and orange. It's a great choice in a rocky boulder area and it'll really hold a hillside for you, says Tegland.