Our Top Shrub Tree & Flower Plantings

Trying to figure out how to make your landscape stand out from your neighbors? Don’t have time to do hours of research on the type of plants you need? No problem, we are here to help. Somerset County falls in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b. Here are five different shrub and flower tree plantings you should consider for your landscape.

Green Mountain Boxwood

Source: Monrovia.com

You’ve probably seen these in your area at least once before. Green Mountain Boxwood trees are popular in backyards as they can provide an extra layer of privacy. Spacing them five feet apart creates a great effect that separates your backyard from the rest of your landscape. When mature, they grow up to three feet in both width and height. They take about ten years to grow to their maximum height.

American Holly

If you’re looking for even more privacy, American Holly might be the best option for you. When mature, they can grow up to 15 to 20 feet tall. American Holly are a great addition to various landscapes, as they can even provide color during the winter with red berries and green foliage. During the spring, they also bloom white flowers. They can grow in both full sun and/or partial shade, with minimal maintenance required.

Roses

While you may think of roses around Valentine’s Day, they tend to grow well in New Jersey. You’ll need a location that gets at least six hours a day of sunlight, and have them planted in early spring. They do require some maintenance with at least an inch of water per week, and they can get fungal disease if they get too wet. However, their beautiful pedals make it worth the effort.

Shasta Daisies

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Want flowers that are easy to maintain and will peak just in time for your summer parties? Shasta daisies are a great option for bare spots on the edges of your backyard that get full sunlight. They only need watering when it rains less than one inch in a week, and are not invasive. Shasta daisies grow best in well-drained, fertile soil. During the fall, these daises are usually “deadheaded,” which means that the browning blooms are cut using pruning shears.

Azaleas

Source: Wikimedia Commons

If you’re looking for a decidous flowering shrub that createsa colorful spring bloom, azaleas are a great option. There are three different types of azalea’s that are native to the area, according to The Native Plant Society of New Jersey: pink, early, and swamp azaleas. Pink azaleas are showy and tend to do well in dry weather, early azaleas are extremely hardy and can be one of the first plants to bloom after winter, while swamp azaleas are great if you have a pond, swamp, or other wet areas in your landscape.

 

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