Plant guide
Dwarf shrubs for small gardens
Dwarf shrubs give you flowers, foliage color and year-round structure without outgrowing the space. They fit small yards, foundation beds, borders and containers, and they need far less pruning than full-size shrubs.
Every plant below stays 4 feet tall or under at maturity. Check the mature width too: a plant that's 2 feet tall may still spread 3 feet or more.
Gartenmeister® plants in this guide (46)
Flowering Shrubs
Photo coming soonFlorAmore® Lavender Azalea
Photo coming soonFlorAmore® Pink Azalea
FlorAmore® Hot Pink Azalea
Candybelle® Marshmallow Hydrangea
Flowerfesta® Purple Lilac
Flowerfesta® Pink Lilac
Pink Poppet Weigela
Towers of Flowers® Apple Blossom Weigela
Towers of Flowers® Cherry Weigela
Photo coming soonEternal Fragrance Daphne
Photo coming soonHuron® Gray Dogwood
Chrysalis™ Blue Butterfly Bush
Chrysalis™ Cranberry Butterfly Bush
Chrysalis™ Pink Butterfly Bush
Chrysalis™ Purple Butterfly Bush
Photo coming soonBarista® Sweet Macchiato Crape Myrtle
Colorful Foliage
Concorde Barberry
Admiration Barberry
Golden Rocket Barberry
Creme Royale™ Barberry
Honeybee™ Bush Honeysuckle
Magic Carpet Spirea
Plumtastic Spirea
Aurielle™ Barberry
Photo coming soonBarista® Cherry Mocha Crape Myrtle
Tuxedo® Pink Hydrangea
Tuxedo® Red Hydrangea
Evergreens
Little Missy Boxwood
Little Heath Pieris
Green Goblet Cherry Laurel
Impeditum Dwarf Rhododendron
Purple Gem Rhododendron
Ramapo Rhododendron
Emerald Beauty™ Cotoneaster
Emerald Sprite™ Cotoneaster
Photo coming soonCrown Jewel Gardenia
Photo coming soonCherries & Merlot Rhododendron
Conifers
Glacierra™ Juniper
Starbrite™ Juniper
Sun Button™ Globe Arborvitae
Roses
Tips for success
Right plant, right place
Choose by mature size so the plant never needs hard pruning to fit. Space plants at about their mature width.
In containers
Use a pot at least twice the width of the nursery pot, with drainage holes and a quality potting mix. Container plants dry out faster, so check water often in summer.
Foundation beds
Plant at least half the mature width away from walls, so air can circulate and you can reach the house.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dwarf shrub?
A dwarf shrub is a naturally compact variety that stays small, usually under 4 feet, without constant pruning.
What are good dwarf shrubs for full sun?
Chrysalis™ butterfly bush, Barista® crape myrtle, Aurielle™ barberry, Sun Button™ arborvitae, Plumtastic spirea and most of our roses thrive in full sun.
What are good dwarf shrubs for shade?
Little Heath pieris, Impeditum and Purple Gem dwarf rhododendrons and Little Missy boxwood handle part shade well.
Is there a dwarf arborvitae?
Yes. Sun Button™ Globe Arborvitae stays a tidy 18 to 24 inch golden ball.
Is there a dwarf lilac?
Yes. Flowerfesta® Pink and Purple lilacs stay about 2 to 4 feet tall and rebloom in fall.