3 to 4 foot tall flowering Ohio shrub - Ask Extension
I’m looking for a 3 to 4 foot tall Ohio native flowering shrub that I can plant as an ornamental next to my house. I previously had a cedar in this ...
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3 to 4 foot tall flowering Ohio shrub #867965
Asked May 11, 2024, 7:33 AM EDT
I’m looking for a 3 to 4 foot tall Ohio native flowering shrub that I can plant as an ornamental next to my house. I previously had a cedar in this location but it was too large. Any suggestions? I’ve been trying to plant Ohio natives as much as possible for my house and garden.
Allen County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Clayton
Thank you for your gardening question. There are some questions to consider in helping select the right shrub. Is the area sunny or in the shade? Is it a wet or dry area? Any new shrub will need adequate watering until established. Please see article I have attached
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/watering-newly-planted-trees-and-shrubs
It looks like you are a zone 6 a. There are many native shrubs that will work in your area.
Are you willing to have a height 3-6'? This would open up your options.
Some other thoughts in your decision making ...
Are you trying to attract certain species of butterflies. For example the spicebush, which tends to be an understory shrub, is a larval host for swallowtail and many other animals eat their berries.
Do you like to feed the birds?
Chokeberries prefer full sun and produce berries that attract the birds. They also have wonderful fall color.
Here are some resources that will give you some ideas of native plants for Ohio.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5813
https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/getmedia/420fa064-156d-4ec2-a35a-39663c8d720a/2017NR02_Landscaping-for-Biodiversity.pdf.ashx
Thank you for your gardening question. There are some questions to consider in helping select the right shrub. Is the area sunny or in the shade? Is it a wet or dry area? Any new shrub will need adequate watering until established. Please see article I have attached
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/watering-newly-planted-trees-and-shrubs
It looks like you are a zone 6 a. There are many native shrubs that will work in your area.
Are you willing to have a height 3-6'? This would open up your options.
Some other thoughts in your decision making ...
Are you trying to attract certain species of butterflies. For example the spicebush, which tends to be an understory shrub, is a larval host for swallowtail and many other animals eat their berries.
Do you like to feed the birds?
Chokeberries prefer full sun and produce berries that attract the birds. They also have wonderful fall color.
Here are some resources that will give you some ideas of native plants for Ohio.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5813
https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/getmedia/420fa064-156d-4ec2-a35a-39663c8d720a/2017NR02_Landscaping-for-Biodiversity.pdf.ashx
