Common Yard Plants

Evergreen camellia shrubs bloom with rose-like flowers.

There are a number of common plants that are abundant in landscape design. Camellia, holly and yucca are common foundation plantings. Creeping ivy, vinca and ajuga are common ground covers, and redbud, dogwood and magnolia are your yard is their adaptability to the local growing conditions. Native plants are foolproof choices, as they have optimal disease resistance and hardiness within their native areas, as compared to any non-native plant species.

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are popular ornamental flowering shrubs that thrive in both sun and shade. Hydrangeas add bright color to any yard, displaying large flowers in different colors and forms. The shrubs are commonly used as foundation plantings. Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is a deciduous hydrangea variety that is native to the southeastern and eastern United States and it is seen in yards throughout this area. The shrub is about 4 feet tall with a 5-foot spread and blooms with bright-white, blue or pink flowers from May to July. Smooth hydrangeas grow best in rich soil supplemented with organic matter. Popular cultivars of smooth hydrangeas include "Annabelle" and "Grandiflora."

Camellia

Camellias are slow-growing, evergreen, flowering shrubs that are popular yard plants, appreciated for their high level of disease resistance and hardiness. The plants have glossy, dark-green foliage and bloom during cool weather with large, rose-like flowers in shades of red. Camellias grow best in areas of semishade and prefer to be protected from hot, dry winds. Japonica camellias are the most common camellia used in landscape plantings, valued for its great variety of flower color, form and size. Camellias are planted as specimen plantings in yards and can also be grown in large pots and placed on decks and patios.

Rose

Roses are among the most frequently grown flowers. Although rose bushes have a reputation for being hard to manage, fussy and prone to disease, this has not diminished their popularity. In reality, roses are easy to grow with a few important considerations. Plant them in areas that receive 6 or more hours of direct sun. Roses also require good air circulation; know before planting how large the plants will grow and then space them accordingly. Roses prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5 and require regular pruning in order to stay in good shape. Use a drip irrigation system with roses to minimize the risk of diseases caused by wet foliage.

References

• University of Florida Extension: Choosing Plants for your Yard
• University of Arkansas Extension: Hydrangea Arborescens
• Camellias-R-Us: Care and Growing Advice
• iVillage: 8 Simple Rose Growing Tips
• University of Arkansas Extension: Common Landscape Plants