Best Shrubs For Ohio: Which Varieties to Plant?

Ohio is a heartland state in the Midwest region of the United States. It is known for its rolling hills, lush forests, and vibrant cities. Locals are proud of their heritage and love spending time outdoors. Ohio’s diverse landscape comprises hills, forests, plains, and rivers.

With that being said, you’ll find a diverse landscape that supports a wide range of plant life. The state is home to many different types of shrubs and bushes, filling the landscape with color and life.

Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant for your garden or a shrub that will provide privacy, there’s an option for you.


Top 5 Best Shrubs for Ohio

Bushes are an important part of any garden. They can provide privacy, serve as a windbreak, and add color and texture to your landscape.

When choosing a bush for your garden, it’s important to consider the plant’s size, outdoor temperature, and soil type it grows best in. While most bushes are low-maintenance, there are a few that require more care.

Here are 5 of the best bushes to grow in Ohio:

1) Burning Bush

If you’re looking for a shrub that will add some serious wow factor to your landscape, look no further than the burning bush. As its name suggests, this shrub is known for its vibrant red leaves, which appear in early fall and continue to shine throughout the autumn season.

In Ohio, the burning bush typically reaches a height of 6-8 feet, although some varieties can grow even taller.

Burning bushes are relatively easy to care for, and they’re tolerant of various soil types. This makes it an ideal choice for those who are looking for a low-maintenance bush that will add some color to their landscape.

2) Forsythia

best shrubs for ohio

This deciduous shrub is one of the first to bloom in spring, with its bright yellow flowers appearing even before the leaves. A native of China, forsythia is hardy and easy to grow, and it thrives in a wide range of conditions.

Reaching 6-10 feet, forsythia is an ideal choice for hedges or privacy screens. It can also be trained to grow as a small tree.

Forsythia is a popular choice for gardeners in Ohio, thanks to its ability to adapt to various conditions. Whether you want to use it as a hedge or privacy screen or train it to grow as a small tree, this tough and easy-to-grow shrub is an excellent choice for your Ohio garden.

3) Hydrangeas

best shrubs for ohio

There are few shrubs that can match the beauty of hydrangeas. These deciduous plants are known for their large, showy flowers, which come in a variety of colors, including blue, pink, and purple. The flowers appear in summer and continue to bloom throughout the fall season.

Though you may not have thought it at first, hydrangeas make for excellent shrubs in Ohio due to their ability to withstand colder temperatures.

They’re also relatively easy to care for, and they thrive in a variety of soil types. With their large, showy flowers, hydrangeas are sure to add some color and life to your Ohio landscape.

4) Lilacs

best shrubs for ohio

Few shrubs are as beloved as the lilac. And with good reason, these fragrant, old-fashioned flowers have been gracing gardens for centuries. Lilacs come in a wide range of colors, from pale lavender to deep purple, and they bloom in early spring, just as the last of the snow is melting away.

Best of all, they’re incredibly easy to care for, tolerating a wide range of soils and climates. If you’re looking for a shrub that will add beauty and fragrance to your garden, look no further than the lilac.

5) Rhododendrons

best shrubs for ohio

Let’s say that when it comes to shrubs, you’re looking for something with a bit more of an exotic flair. If that’s the case, then you’ll want to consider the rhododendron.

These large evergreen shrubs are native to Asia and are known for their beautiful, bell-shaped flowers, which come in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, purple, and red.

Local gardeners consider this as Ohio’s cream of the crop in terms of shrubs. However, rhododendrons can be a bit finicky, and they prefer acidic soil that is well-drained. They’re also susceptible to root rot, so watering them regularly is essential. But if you can give them the care they need, rhododendrons are sure to add some beauty and interest to your Ohio landscape.


Best shrubs for Ohio: Final Thoughts

The diversity of Ohio’s landscapes provides gardeners with a wide range of options when it comes to choosing the right shrubs for their gardens.

Whether you’re looking for something easy to care for, like burning bush or forsythia, or something a bit more exotic, like rhododendron, there’s sure to be a shrub that’s perfect for your Ohio garden.

Related Article: When to Plant Flowers in Ohio?