Most Common Shrub
The China rose (Rosa chinensis) is a Southwest China native. The plant has been cultivated for so long that it has become hard to tell the difference between wild and cultivated varieties. With medium-sized clusters of flowers and a long blooming season, it is easy to see why the China rose was chosen as the basis for many rose hybrids.
Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a highly ornamental small tropical tree or shrub, often multi-stemmed. It is native to India, Southeastern Asia, and Japan, and features a characteristic vase-shaped crown and beautifully-ruffled pink blooms that can last from early summer to autumn. It is also a popular nesting shrub for small birds.
The Bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads – with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lacecapes – with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
The Common lilac is a sweet-smelling flowering plant with cloudy purple leaves. The scent is so popular that it has found its way into body-care products of all types. It is a member of the olive family. The Common lilac can be found around the world today, but it is native to the Balkan Peninsula and thrives in rocky environments.
Hibiscus syriacus is a deciduous shrub with trumpet-shaped pink, lavender, or white flowers. Although it was first collected by Western botanists from Syrian gardens, “Rose of sharon” is native to south-central and southeastern China. Because of its hardiness and prolific blooming, it is cultivated all around the world. It is the national flower of South Korea, mentioned in its national anthem.
Chinese hibiscus is a small flowering tree. Its fragrant flowers are well known the world over, leading to many cultivated variants. Chinese hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and is featured on Malaysian coins. Although the Latin name, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, means “the rose of China,” it is not related to true roses.
Dwarf umbrella tree ( Schefflera arboricola ) is an evergreen, multi-stemmed shrub native to China. It is commonly grown as a houseplant or a garden plant in milder climates for its decorative palmately compound leaves. The leaves contain calcium oxalates, which damage internal organs when ingested. It shouldn’t be confused with the Australian umbrella tree, Schefflera actinophylla.
There is no plant that symbolizes the traditional Japanese garden better than the Japanese maple ( Acer palmatum ). This small deciduous tree or a shrub native to East Asia can grow up to around 10 m, but it is often kept smaller. Japanese maple is loved for its artistic-quality canopy with brilliant red autumn leaves. It is also commonly grown as a bonsai.
Chinese peony is a perennial herbaceous bushy plant native to central and eastern Asia. It is highly regarded for its lush, white, pink, or crimson rose-like flowers, with pronounced yellow stamens. White Chinese peony was first introduced to England in the mid-18th century, and today there are several hundred cultivars common in temperate gardens around the world.
Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen, slow-growing perennial shrub native to tropical Africa. Also, it is a classic houseplant, grown in Europe since the 1800s. Its glossy green foliage that resembles corn leaves grow on top of a thick cane, which is why the plant is sometimes called “false palm tree.”
Despite its name, Heavenly bamboo is not actually bamboo at all but a semi-evergreen shrub. It gains its name because a casual observer may mistake it for actual bamboo. The bright red berries are a key distinguishing feature of this plant. They should be avoided, however, since they are toxic to most animals and humans alike.
The Japanese camellia is a bright flower that thrives in temperate climates. Native to Japan, it has since spread around the world and is even the official state flower of the U.S. state of Alabama. In China, the Japanese camellia is considered a symbol of luck, and is a staple of many New Year celebrations.
The Common lantana is a flowering plant that grows best in tropical environments. It spread outside the Americas when the Dutch brought it to Europe. The plant is generally regarded as an unwanted weed that reduces biodiversity. Additionally, it is toxic to livestock and harms the output of farmland.
The Garden croton is a showy tropical display that does well indoors or in warm climates. Known for its attractive foliage, this plant can have both to color and structural variations in its leaves. Leaf colors can include orange, yellow, scarlet, white, and green, and many times all are present on one plant.
Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus) is a flowering shrub native to the Mediterranean region. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant and it often adorns winter gardens. When little else is growing during cold days of winter, Laurustinus produces numerous clusters of tiny white flowers.