The Morton Arb

Selection guide

Use the pulldowns below to find information about trees or shrubs

or

or

or

plant_clinic_hours

Container gardens & Spring bedding at The Morton Arboretum

Spring Creations
Download a list of plants that can be found in our Container Gardens and Display Beds.

Use our Interactive Collections Map and our Plant Collections Map to identify where plants are located on our grounds.

Register now for Summer 2012 education programs at The Morton Arboretum

Search tree & plant advice

Articles tagged Low growing shrubs

  • Low Growing Deciduous Shrubs (under 5 feet)

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Deciduous, shrubs
    Generally grow up to 5 feet tall, easy to maintain in proper scale  Essentially, a low-growing woody plant that branches at its base Lose their leaves in fall (deciduous) Recommended for the Midwest on the basis of ornamental value,...

  • Grefsheim Spirea

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs
    Botanical Name: Spiraea x cinerea 'Grefsheim'Common Name: Grefsheim Spirea Height: 4-5' Spread: 4-5' Habit/Form: Dense, rounded to vase-shaped with arching branches Growth Rate: Fast  Zone: 4-7Cultural Requirements: Full sun to partial...

  • Frau Dagmar Hastrup Rugosa Rose

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Salt-Tolerant Trees and Shrubs, Low growing shrubs, Four Season Landscape
    Botanical Name: Rosa rugosa 'Frau Dagmar Hastrup' Common Name: Frau Dagmar Hastrup Rugosa Rose   Form Bud Flower Click image to enlarge. Height: 3-4' Spread: 3-4' Habit/Form: Low dense mounded Growth...

  • Goldflame Spirea

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs
     Botanical Name: Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame' Common Name: Goldflame Spirea   Height: 2-3' Spread: 3-4' Habit/Form: Low,dense mounded Growth Rate: Fast Zone: 4-7Cultural Requirements: Tolerant of many soils except those that are extremely...

  • Tango Weigela

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Weigela
    Botanical Name: Weigela florida 'Tango'Common Name: Tango Weigela Height: 2-3' Spread: 2-3' Habit/Form: Compact, rounded Growth Rate: Medium Zone: 5-8Cultural Requirements: Best in full sun to part shade, extremely hardy and adaptable to any...

  • Minuet Weigela

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Weigela
    Botanical Name: Weigela florida 'Minuet' Common Name: Minuet Weigela Height: 2-3' Spread: 2-3' Habit/Form: Compact rounded Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 5-8Cultural Requirements: Best in full sun to part shade, extremely hardy and adaptable to any...

  • Blanc Double de Coubert Rose

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Rosa, Low growing shrubs, Rose
    Botanical Name: Rosa rugosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert'Common Name: Blanc Double de Coubert Rose Height: 4-6' Spread: 4-6' Habit/Form: Upright, rounded, suckering, colonizing shrub Growth Rate: Fast Zone: 4-7Cultural Requirements: Prefers full...

  • Rugosa Rose

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Salt-Tolerant Trees and Shrubs, Low growing shrubs, Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds
    Botanical Name: Rosa rugosaCommon Name: Rugosa Rose   Height: 4-6' Spread: 4-6' Habit/Form: Upright, rounded, suckering, colonizing shrub Growth Rate: Medium-fast Zone: 3-7Cultural Requirements: One of the most trouble-free roses. Prefers...

  • Pink Knock Out Rose

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs
    Botanical Name: Rosa `Pink Knock Out'Common Name: Pink Knock Out Rose Height: 3-4' Spread: 3-4' Habit/Form: Round compact bushy Growth Rate: Medium to slow Zone: HardyCultural Requirements: Sun to light shade in moist, well-drained soil....

  • Knock out Rose

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Rose
     Botanical Name: Rosa 'Knock Out'Common Name: Knock out Rose   Height: 3-4' Spread: 3-4' Habit/Form: Round compact bushy Growth Rate: Medium to slow Zone: HardyCultural Requirements: Sun to light shade in moist, well-drained soil....

  • Prairie Flame Shining Sumac

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Chicagoland Grows, Four Season Landscape
    Botanical Name: Rhus copallina var. latifolia 'Morton' Common Name: Prairie FlameTM Shining Sumac Height: 5-6' Spread: 4-6' Habit/Form: Compact, mounding Growth Rate: Slow to medium Zone: 4-8Cultural Requirements: Sun to part shade; tolerant of...

  • Fragrant Sumac

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds, Low growing shrubs, native, Salt-Tolerant Trees and Shrubs
    Botanical Name: Rhus aromatica Common Name: Fragrant Sumac Click on an image to enlarge form leaves fruit fall color Height: 2-6' Spread: 6-10' Habit/Form: Mounded Growth Rate: Slow to medium Zone:...

  • Sikes Dwarf Oak-leaf Hydrangea

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Hydrangea, Sikes Dwarf
    Botanical Name: Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sikes Dwarf'Common Name: Sikes Dwarf Oak-leaf Hydrangea Height: 2-4' Spread: 2-4' Habit/Form: Compact and mounded Growth Rate: Slow to medium Zone: 5-9Cultural Requirements: Thrives in moist, slightly...

  • P.J.M. Rhododendron

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs
    Botanical Name: Rhododendron 'P.J.M.' Common Name: P.J. M. Rhododendron Height: 3-6' Spread: 3-6' Habit/Form: Rounded Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 4-7Cultural Requirements: Their ability to tolerate near neutral soils makes this one of the most...

  • Pink Beauty Shrubby Potentilla

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs
    Botanical Name: Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty'Common Name: Pink Beauty Shrubby Potentilla    Height: 2-3' Spread: 2-3' Habit/Form: Mounded Growth Rate: Fast Zone: 2-6Cultural Requirements: Grow in full sun for maximum flower...

  • Shrubby Cinquefoil

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: native, Low growing shrubs, Salt-Tolerant Trees and Shrubs
    Botanical Name:Potentilla fruticosa Common Name: Shrubby Cinquefoil Height: 1-4' Spread: 2-4' Habit/Form: Mounded Growth Rate: Fast Zone: 2-6 Cultural Requirements: Grow in full sun for maximum flower production; tolerates many soil conditions...

  • New Jersey Tea

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Butterflies, Low growing shrubs, native
    Botanical Name: Ceanothus americanusCommon Name: New Jersey Tea Updated 2/2012 Click on an image to enlarge Ceanothus americanus Ceanothus americanus Height: 3-4' Spread: 3-5' Habit/Form: Rounded Growth Rate: Slow to medium ...

  • Black Chokeberry

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Salt-Tolerant Trees and Shrubs, Plants Tolerant of Wet Sites, Plants for Shady Sites, native, Low growing shrubs
    Botanical Name: Aronia melanocarpaCommon Name: Black Chokeberry Reviewed 2/2012   Height: 3-5' Spread: 6-8' Habit/Form: Upright and mounded Growth Rate: Medium Zone: 3-8Cultural Requirements: Best in full sun but tolerant of partial...

  • Morton Black Chokeberry - IROQUOIS BEAUTY

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs
     Botanical Name: Aronia melanocarpa 'Morton' Common Name: Morton Black Chokeberry - IROQUOIS BEATUYTM Updated 2/2012Click on an image to enlarge Aronia melanocarpa 'Morton" flowers Aronia melanocarpa 'Morton"...

  • Bluebeard

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Summer-Flowering Trees & Shrubs, Low growing shrubs, Late Summer & Autumn Perennials, Four Season Landscape
    Botanical Name: Caryopteris x clandonensis Common Name: Bluebeard Updated 2/2012 Click on an image to enlarge Caryopteris xclandonensis 'Blue Mist' Caryopteris xclandonensis 'Blue Mist' Height: 2-4' Spread: 3-4' ...

  • Cranberry Cotoneaster

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs
    Botanical Name: Cotoneaster apiculataCommon Name: Cranberry Cotoneaster Reviewed 3/2012 Height: 3-4' Spread: 3-6' Habit/Form: Low, wide spreading Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 4-7Cultural Requirements: Prefers moist, well-drained soil, in full sun to...

  • Hesse Cotoneaster

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Four Season Landscape
    Botanical Name: Cotoneaster 'Hessei' Common Name: Hesse Cotoneaster Reviewed 3/2012 Click on an image to enlarge Hesse Cotoneaster Hesse Cotoneaster Height: 1-2' Spread: 5-6' Habit/Form: Low, spreading Growth Rate: Slow to...

  • Slender Deutzia

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs
    Botanical Name: Deutzia gracilisCommon Name: Slender Deutzia Updated 3/2012 Height: 2-4' Spread: 3-4' Habit/Form: Low, mounded  Growth Rate: Slow to medium Zone: 4-8Cultural Requirements: Best in full sun or light shade in well-drained soil;...

  • Dwarf Fothergilla

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Four Season Landscape, Low growing shrubs, Plants Tolerant of Wet Sites
    Botanical Name: Fothergilla gardenii Common Name: Dwarf Fothergilla Updated 4/2012 Click on an image to enlarge   form flowers fall color Height: 2-3' Spread: 2-3' Habit/Form: Rounded mound Growth Rate:...

  • Mount Airy Fothergilla

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs
    Botanical Name: Fothergilla x intermedia 'Mount Airy' Common Name: Mount Airy Fothergilla Click on an image to enlarge form flowers Height: 3-5' Spread: 3-5' Habit/Form: Upright Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 5-8Cultural...

  • Virginia Sweetspire

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Plants Tolerant of Wet Sites
    Botanical Name: Itea virginica Common Name: Virginia Sweetspire Height: 3-5' Spread: 4-6' Habit/Form: Rounded Growth Rate: Medium Zone: 5-9Cultural Requirements: In the wild, this shrub is often found in wet areas, but is tolerant of dry soils...

  • Variegated Japanese Kerria

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Kerria, variegated
    Botanical Name: Kerria japonica 'Picta'Common Name: Variegated Japanese Kerria Height: 3-4' Spread: 4-6' Habit/Form: Upright and arching Growth Rate: Medium Zone: 4-9Cultural Requirements: Does well in loamy, fertile, well-drained soil and is...

  • Japanese Kerria

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: not favored by deer, Low growing shrubs, Four Season Landscape
    Botanical Name: Kerria japonica Common Name: Japanese Kerria Click on an image to enlarge form Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' Height: 3-6' Spread: 5-8' Habit/Form: Upright and arching Growth Rate: Medium Zone: 4-9Cultural...

  • Cut-leaf Stephanandra

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Stephanandra
    Botanical Name: Stephanandra incisa 'Crispa' Common Name: Cut-leaf Stephanandra Click on an image to enlarge form fall color Height: 2-3' Spread: 2-3' Habit/Form: Low mounded, suckering shrub with graceful arching stems ...

  • Crimson Pygmy Japanese Barberry

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Berberis, barberry, Four Season Landscape
    Botanical Name: Berberis thunbergii ' Atropurpurea Nana'Common Name: Crimson Pygmy Japanese Barberry Updated 2/2012 Height: 1 ½ to 2' Spread: 2 ½ to 3' Habit/Form: Mounded  Growth Rate: Medium Zone: 4-7Cultural Requirements: Prefers...

  • Rosy Glow Japanese Barberry

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Berberis, barberry, Low growing shrubs
    Botanical Name: Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea Rosy Glow' Common Name: Rosy Glow Japanese Barberry   Height: 4-5' Spread: 4-5' Habit/Form: Mounded Growth Rate: Medium Zone: 4-7Cultural Requirements: Prefers full sun but tolerant of part...

  • Concorde Purple-leaved Japanese Barberry

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Berberis, barberry
     Botanical Name: Berberis thunbergii 'Concorde'Common Name: Concorde Purple-leaved Japanese Barberry Reviewed 2/2012   Click on an image to enlarge form flowers Height: 1-2' Spread: 1-2'  Habit/Form:...

  • Wild Hydrangea

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Four Season Landscape, Low growing shrubs, native
    Botanical Name: Hydrangea arborescensCommon Name: Wild Hydrangea Updated 4/2012 Click on an image to enlarge form flower Height: 3-5' Spread: 3-5' Habit/Form: Rounded mounds Growth Rate: Fast Zone: 4-9Cultural Requirements:...

  • Hills-of-Snow Hydrangea

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs, Hydrangea
    Botanical Name: Hydrangea arborescens 'Grandiflora'Common Name: Hills-of-Snow Hydrangea Updated 4/2012 Click on an image to enlarge form flower Height: 3-5' Spread: 3-5' Habit/Form: Suckering Growth Rate: Fast Zone:...

  • Grow-low Fragrant Sumac

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Rhus, Low growing shrubs
    Botanical Name: Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low'Common Name: Grow-low Fragrant Sumac Height: 2-3' Spread: 6-8' Habit/Form: Wide spreading, low and mounded Growth Rate: Slow to medium Zone: 4-8Cultural Requirements: A very adaptable plant. Prefers full...

  • Leadplant

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Butterflies, Low growing shrubs, native, Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds
    Common Name:LeadplantBotanical Name: Amorpha canescens Updated 2/2012 Form Leaf Flower Click an image to enlarge Height: 2-4'   Spread: 4-5'  Habit/Form: Rounded  Growth Rate: Medium  Zone: 2-6...

  • Sweet-fern

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Plants for Shady Sites, Low growing shrubs, native
    Common Name:Sweet-fernBotanical Name:Comptonia peregrina Updated 3/2012 Form Leaf Height: 2-4'  Spread: 4-8'  Habit/Form: Erect spreading  Growth Rate: Slow/Medium Zone: 2-5 Cultural requirements: Sun to part...

  • Bush Honeysuckle

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Low growing shrubs
    Common Name:Bush HoneysuckleBotanical Name: Diervilla lonicera  Updated 3/2012 Form Flower Leaf Click an image to enlarge Height: 3-5'  Spread: 3-5'  Habit/Form: Mounded  Growth Rate: Medium Zone:...

  • Coralberry

    | Category: Tree & Plant Selection | Tags: Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds, deer, Low growing shrubs, native, not favored by deer, Plants Tolerant of Wet Sites
    Common Name: CoralberryBotanical Name: Symphoricarpos orbiculatus* Form Winter form Fruit Click an image to enlarge Height: 2-5' Spread: 4-8' Form: Upright arching Rate:Fast (more than 12 inches per year)Zone: 2-7...