The only real trick to growing shrubs is picking the right ones from among the many hundreds available. That's where our selection comes in. These 15 shrubs are all attractive, reliable, trouble-free plants. None have serious pest problems, and they don't require constant pruning or cleanup. When selecting, be sure to match your climate and site conditions to the plant.
Some shrubs are virtually carefree coast to coast.
Others perform well only in a specific region. Texas ranger, for instance, thrives only in the arid Southwest. Plant adaptability is usually determined by cold tolerance. Hardiness temperatures are a guide, not a rule. The amount of sun, wind and snow cover as well as soil type also figure prominently in the equation.