Best Types of Shrubs For Planting in Containers

Check them out Best Shrubs for Containers for your home and garden from the given list.

Here is an exclusive list of the Best Shrubs for Containers which you can display on a small patio, roof garden, balcony or large backyard!

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Best Shrubs for Containers

1. Flowering maple

Botanical name: Abutilon

USDA zones: 8-11

It is also called “Indian mallow” or “flowering maple”. Abutilon is a beautiful shrub that produces beautiful, mallow-like flowers.

2. Andromeda

Botanical name: Andromeda polifolia

USDA zones: 5-9

“Pieris Japonica” is an excellent shrub for container gardens. With some attention and care it can grow up to 60-120cm tall.

3. Anisodontea

Botanical name: Anisodontea

USDA zones: 9-11

This charming South African shrub grows in full sun and requires dry soil to thrive. A south or west facing balcony, patio or deck is perfect for this shrub.

4. Aster

Botanical name: Aster

USDA zones: 3-8

Aster comes in a wide variety of colors and blooms in large numbers. It is an easy plant to grow and blooms in summer and fall. Both annual and perennial species are available.

5. Spotted laurel

Botanical name: Aucuba Japonica

USDA zones: 7-10

Also called “gold dust” because of its speckled foliage, it is one of the best container shrubs. You can grow it for its beautiful foliage as its flowers are not that aesthetic.

6. Azalea

Botanical name: Rhododendron

USDA zones: 4-9

Azalea is one of the most lush flowering plants. Moist soil, partial sun and acidic soil are required to thrive.

7. Bougainvillea

Botanical name: Bougainvillea

USDA zones: 9-12

This beautiful, ever-blooming perennial shrub is vibrant and colorful and requires almost no care in tropical and subtropical areas. It needs full sun and dry soil to thrive.

8. Brugmansia

Botanical name: Brugmansia

USDA zones: 9-11

Also known as angel’s trumpet, the flowers of this shrub smell wonderful at night and attract pollinators. Growing in pots is easy.

9. Butterfly Bush

Botanical name: Buddleia

USDA zones: 5-11

The buddleia offers abundant flowering panicles in the colors white, red, pink, purple or blue. Grow a dwarf variety in a large and deep pot.

10. Boxwood

Botanical name: Buxus

USDA zones: 5-11

The most adaptable and easiest shrub to grow, boxwood is popular with landscape gardeners and one of the best shrubs for containers.

11. Calamansi

Botanical name: Citrus × Microcarpa

USDA zones: 9-11

It has a bushy habit and remains compact, making it ideal for containers. If you want fruit, make sure it gets enough sun exposure.

12. Bottle brush

Botanical name: Callistemon

USDA zones: 8-11

A beautiful shrub that attracts pollinators and looks exquisite with its bright red flowers. It is also available in other colors such as purple pink, lemon yellow or white.

13. Camellia

Botanical name: Camellia japonica

USDA zones: 6-10a

It is a beautifully flowering shrub, but when grown in pots it becomes demanding. Camellias require humus-rich, acidic soil and regular care.

14. Cistus

Botanical name: cistus

USDA zones: 8-11

Also called “rock rose,” this evergreen Mediterranean shrub is hardy and drought-tolerant and thrives when neglected. It is suitable for pots and thrives in a sunny location.

15. Lemon

Botanical name: Citrus lime

USDA zones: 10-11

Choose the sunniest location that is protected from drafts. For more information, see our guide to growing a lemon tree in a pot.

16. Cotoneaster

Botanical name: cotoneaster

USDA zones: 5-8

Cotoneaster is usually grown as a ground cover or in hedges in the garden, but can also be grown as a container plant. Choose a large container as this plant spreads widely.

17.Daphne

Botanical name:Daphne

USDA zones: 4-8

Keep the plant in partial shade and water it well in summer as it loves moist soil. For flowering, make sure it gets plenty of sunlight.

18. Silverberry

Botanical name: Elaeagnus

USDA zones: 2-11

If you’re looking for a hardy, drought-tolerant shrub that’s happy to grow without any maintenance, this is Elaeagnus. It is also suitable for planting in coastal areas.

19. Escallonia

Botanical name: Escallonia

USDA zones: 8-10

A beautiful, decorative and fragrant foliage plant with small tubular flowers available in white, pink or red. Keep it in partial sun in warmer zones and full sun in cooler zones.

20. Forsythia

Botanical name: forsythia

USDA zones: 4-9

Grow dwarf forsythia varieties in containers. They are not picky about soil type but require a well-drained substrate. Keep this fragrant plant in a location that receives plenty of sunlight.

21. Fuchsia

Botanical name: Fuchsia

USDA zones: 6-11

From summer to autumn, fuchsia decorates gardens, terraces, balconies and interiors thanks to its beautiful bell-shaped flowers in bright colors.

22. Wintergreen

Botanical name: Gaultheria procumbens

USDA zones: 3-8

This is a low-growing American shrub that spreads by runners. It grows in acidic soil in a cool and moist location. Its leaves give off a mint-like scent when crushed.

23. Gardenia

Botanical name: Gardenia jasminoides

USDA zones: 8-11

Gardenia is one of the most fragrant flowers and requires regular care. You can read our guide to growing gardenia trees in pots here.

24. Gaura

Botanical name: Gaura

USDA zones: 5-9

It is also called “bee blossom,” “wall flower,” and “swirling butterflies” because it attracts butterflies that float above it like a cloud and swirl around it!

25. Pomegranate

Botanical name: Punica granatum

USDA zones: 9-11

Probably the most suitable fruit tree or shrub for the containers. Try it out, even on the balcony. Read our article about growing pomegranates in pots.

26. Gooseberry

Botanical name: Phyllanthus emblica

USDA zones: 3-10

There are only a few fruits that you can easily grow in a container, and the gooseberry is one of them. This shrub is relatively easy to grow.

27. Hebe

Botanical name: He is

USDA zones: 6-10

This small, productive shrub grows up to 1 m tall. Growing Hebe in a container is easy. It is an excellent shrub for urban container gardens. Many species bloom in summer.

28. Hibiscus

Botanical name: Hibiscus

USDA zones: 5-11

Hibiscus is the most popular flowering shrub. Growing hibiscus in a pot is not difficult. It has one of the most common flowers that come in a variety of colors and patterns.

29. Hydrangea

Botanical name: Hydrangea Macrophylla

USDA zones: 3-11

With its colorful flower clusters and large, dramatic leaves, the hydrangea is a stunning addition to any container garden. Plant it in a large pot and water it regularly.

30. Holly

Botanical name: Ilex

USDA zones: 5-9

Growing holly in containers requires care. For a container garden, it is better to choose a dwarf variety.

31. Lantana

Botanical name: Lantana camara

USDA zones: 10-11

This perennial evergreen shrub is one of the easiest plants to grow in a tropical climate. It thrives on neglect and blooms tirelessly all year round.

32. Bay bay leaf

Botanical name: Laurus nobilis

USDA zones: 8-11

One of the best shrubs you can grow in containers is bay laurel. It is also possible to grow this herb as a houseplant. For more information, see our complete growing guide.

33. Laurustinus

Botanical name: Viburnum Tinus

USDA zones: 7-11

Viburnum grows well in containers. Its compact and bushy foliage makes it an excellent hedge plant. Its beautiful pink and white flowers are lightly scented and appear in winter.

34. Lavender

Botanical name: Lavandula

USDA zones: 5-9

Lavender is easy to grow and adding it to your plant collection will ensure a fragrant home and garden! Provide plenty of sunlight.

35. Lilac

Botanical name: Syringa

USDA zones: 4-9

If you love scents, you will love lilac. Growing lilacs in containers is possible with caution. Choose a more compact and dwarf variety and a deep pot.

36. Magnolia

Botanical name: Magnolia

USDA zones: 6-10

Magnolias grow slowly, so you can keep them in the pot for a long time. However, the best way to grow magnolias in a container is to purchase the dwarf shrub variety.

37. Crepe myrtle

Botanical name: storage stromemia

USDA zones: 7-10

The beautiful, vibrant and colorful crepe myrtle flowers bloom in abundance when cared for properly. Dwarf, shrub-like varieties are suitable for containers.

38. Pittosporum

Botanical name: Pittosporum

USDA zones: 8-10

A beautiful shrub with stunning foliage and fragrant flowers, Pittosporum fills the air with orange like a fresh breeze.

39. Peony

Botanical name: Paeonia

USDA zones: 3-8

Peony flowers are stately and plump, large and often fragrant, with single or double petals. Here you can read a useful article about growing peonies in pots.

40. Potentilla

Botanical name: Potentilla

USDA zones: 2-7

Potentilla is a beautiful perennial shrub that grows up to 90 to 150 cm tall. It begins blooming in mid to late summer and continues to bloom until late fall.

41. Rose

Botanical name: Pink

USDA zones: 3-11

It’s a good idea to plant shrub roses in pots. However, they require care and regular maintenance. To help, you can read our rose care tips.

42. Rosemary

Botanical name: Salvia rosmarinus

USDA zones: 6-9

Rosemary is a highly aromatic perennial and a useful kitchen shrub. Its beautiful blue flowers and silvery-green foliage also make it an ornamental plant.

43. Sedge

Botanical name: Cyperaceae

USDA zones: 4-10

Sedges are easy to care for and look great on a deck or patio. Keep it in a sunny location in a temperate climate and in the shade in the tropics.

44. Spirea

Botanical name: Spirea

USDA zones: 4-9

Dwarf varieties such as Spirea Japonica “Nana” are ideal for growing in containers. Slightly moist soil is required to grow.

45. Japanese Skimmia

Botanical name: Skimmia japonica subsp. reevesiana

USDA zones: 7-9

Bring warmth and color to the frosty winter doorstep with this hardy shrub. It offers scarlet red berries. In spring it offers creamy white, fragrant flowers.

46. ​​Kalmia latifolia

Botanical name: Kalmia latifolia

USDA zones: 5-9

This acid-loving shrub offers huge clusters of bright red flower buds that open into rich pink blooms. “Little Linda” is the best choice for containers.

47. Virginia Sweet Spire

Botanical name: Itea virginica

USDA zones: 5-9

It is native to North America and produces long white, cream or pale green flower tassels approximately 3 to 6 inches long in June and July. Grow it in a sheltered spot in partial shade.

48. Ninebark

Botanical name: Physocarpus opulifolius

USDA zones: 2-8

“Diabolo” is originally from North America and is an attractive option. In early summer, it displays rich purple leaves and pink flowers on arching branches.

49. Ixora

Botanical name: Ixora coccinea

USDA zones: 9-11

This easy-care shrub bears clusters of red, pink, orange and yellow flowers that look like puffballs amid the leathery green foliage.