Deciduous Shrubs

Choose by the job, not the photo

For months of repeat flower in full sun, the landscape roses are the workhorses: Knock Out types hold about 1.2m and flower spring to autumn with minimal fuss, Iceberg makes a 1.5m flowering hedge, and the Drift series stays at 40cm as a flowering groundcover. The wider rose range carries the rest. For shaded and south facing beds, hydrangeas are the answer, from 1.2m mophead types to the reliable Annabelle. Buddleia and gaura pull in butterflies and bees, purple smoke bush earns its place on foliage alone, and the shrub form crepe myrtles such as Zuni at 3m add summer flower plus autumn colour. Blueberries and Heritage raspberries do the same leafless winter routine and hand you fruit for it.

Where deciduous shrubs perform

Cool and temperate gardens get the best of this range. Winter chill deepens autumn colour and ripens flowering wood, and frost is no threat to a dormant, leafless shrub, which is why nearly all of these carry our Frost Hardy flag. In subtropical gardens, choose with more care: crepe myrtles, Knock Out roses and gaura handle heat well, hydrangeas want morning sun and afternoon shade, and blueberries should be low chill types such as Gulf Coast. Buddleia can self seed in mild climates, so deadhead it and check local weed listings.

Planting and spacing

Winter is the ideal planting window, while the plants are dormant and transplant stress is lowest. Dig each hole twice the width of the pot and no deeper, water in well and mulch 75mm deep, keeping mulch off the stems. Space Knock Out and Iceberg roses 1m apart for a hedge, Drift roses 60cm, gaura 50cm, mophead hydrangeas 80cm and Annabelle 1m. May bush and Japanese quince make informal hedges at 1m spacing, blueberries a productive edible hedge at 1m in acidic soil, and Heritage raspberries go 60cm apart in rows with support for the canes.

Pruning is the one job that matters

Almost everything here is pruned once, in late winter. Cut buddleia back hard, shorten roses by about a third above outward facing buds, and thin smoke bush to shape. Hydrangeas are the exception worth learning: mophead types flower on last season's wood, so limit yourself to spent heads and the oldest canes, while Annabelle flowers on new growth and takes a harder cut. Our guide to hydrangea colour and growth explains the difference properly.

Common questions

Will deciduous shrubs look bare in winter?

Yes, for a couple of months, and it is an honest trade for denser flowering and easy pruning access. Mix them among evergreens rather than using them as your only structure and the bare season reads as texture, not absence.

Which of these are safe for pets?

The roses, gaura, blueberries, Heritage raspberry and the Zuni crepe myrtle all carry our Pet Friendly flag. Hydrangeas do not: leaves, buds and flowers are toxic to cats and dogs, so site them away from a chewing puppy.

When should I plant?

Winter and early spring are ideal, because the shrub wakes up already rooted into your soil. Potted stock can go in during any month if you keep water up through the first summer.

What arrives if I order in winter?

A healthy dormant or semi dormant plant with strong roots, which is exactly what you want. Delivered Australia wide with delivery from $29.95, no minimum order and our 30 day healthy plant guarantee. For the same seasonal logic at tree scale, see our deciduous trees.