Fall is the perfect time for New Jersey homeowners to add new shrubs to their landscapes. September’s cooler temperatures and typically reliable rainfall help plants establish strong root systems before winter arrives.
Adding the right hardy shrubs now can create year-round interest in your yard while standing up to our region’s challenging weather patterns.
1. Oakleaf Hydrangea
Native to eastern North America, oakleaf hydrangeas thrive in New Jersey’s climate with minimal fuss. Their distinctive oak-shaped leaves turn brilliant burgundy in fall after a summer of showy white flower clusters.
They tolerate both sun and partial shade, making them versatile for different yard locations. Plant them where you can enjoy their four-season appeal – spring growth, summer blooms, fall color, and interesting winter bark.
2. Winterberry Holly
Brighten winter landscapes with native winterberry holly’s spectacular show of red berries that persist long after leaves drop. Birds love feasting on these bright fruits when food becomes scarce.
Unlike other hollies, winterberry lacks prickly leaves, making it easier to work around. Remember to plant both male and female specimens if you want berries. They thrive in moist soil conditions common in many New Jersey yards.
3. Dwarf Fothergilla
Spring brings bottlebrush-like white flowers that emit a honey scent from this compact native shrub. Come autumn, the rounded leaves transform into a painter’s palette of orange, yellow, and red.
Growing just 3-5 feet tall, dwarf fothergilla fits perfectly in smaller New Jersey gardens or as foundation plantings. The plant performs beautifully in partially shaded spots where other flowering shrubs might struggle, requiring little maintenance once established.
4. Virginia Sweetspire
Graceful arching branches covered with fragrant white flower spires make Virginia sweetspire a standout in early summer. The slender flowers dangle like delicate wind chimes above the foliage.
What truly sets this native shrub apart is its extended fall display – leaves turn vibrant purple-red and often hold their color well into December. Adaptable to both wet and dry conditions, it’s perfect for those tricky spots in New Jersey yards with inconsistent moisture.
5. Red Twig Dogwood
Winter reveals the true magic of red twig dogwood when its bare stems glow brilliant red against snow or evergreens. The effect is especially dramatic when several plants are grouped together.
This adaptable native handles New Jersey’s occasional flooding with ease, making it ideal for low spots or rain gardens. White spring flowers and bluish-white berries attract pollinators and birds. For the brightest winter color, prune older stems in early spring.
6. Fragrant Sumac
Yellow spring flowers buzz with early pollinators before giving way to fuzzy red berries that feed birds throughout winter. Fragrant sumac offers a wildlife-friendly alternative to potentially invasive burning bush.
The aromatic leaves release a pleasant citrus scent when brushed against. Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, this native shrub thrives in New Jersey’s sandy coastal soils or clay inland areas alike, reaching just 2-6 feet tall with an attractive spreading habit.
7. Japanese Spirea
Practically indestructible, Japanese spirea bounces back from harsh winters with vigor. Mounds of pink or white summer flowers attract butterflies for weeks, creating living bouquets throughout your landscape.
Modern cultivars like ‘Double Play’ series offer bonus features – colorful spring foliage in gold or burgundy tones. Their compact size (typically 2-3 feet) works perfectly in foundation plantings or borders. A quick shearing after the first bloom often triggers a second flowering display.
8. Inkberry Holly
Looking for a native evergreen that deer actually avoid? Inkberry holly’s clean lines and year-round foliage make it perfect for hedges or foundation plantings in New Jersey gardens.
Unlike its pricklier holly cousins, inkberry features smooth-edged oval leaves that create an elegant backdrop for other plants. Compact varieties like ‘Gem Box’ stay under 3 feet tall, requiring minimal pruning. Female plants produce small black berries that persist through winter.
9. Korean Spice Viburnum
Intoxicating fragrance wafts across the garden when Korean spice viburnum blooms in spring. The pink buds open to white flower clusters so intensely scented that one shrub can perfume an entire yard.
Fall brings another show as leaves turn wine-red before dropping. Growing 4-6 feet tall and wide, this well-behaved shrub fits most New Jersey landscapes. Plant near windows or patios where you can fully appreciate its magnificent scent on spring evenings.
10. Butterfly Bush ‘Lo & Behold’
Monarchs, swallowtails, and hummingbirds flock to the nectar-rich flower spikes of dwarf butterfly bush varieties. The ‘Lo & Behold’ series solves the invasiveness problems of older types while maintaining their butterfly-magnet qualities.
These compact plants grow just 2-3 feet tall, fitting easily into smaller New Jersey gardens. Unlike traditional butterfly bushes, they’re non-invasive and don’t require deadheading. Their purple, blue, or pink flowers keep blooming from summer through first frost.