Top 5 Smaller-size Shrubs for Minnesota

#1 Weigela (smaller varieties)

• Smaller shrub growing 2-3 feet tall & wide

• Purplish foliage and trumpet flowers in spring

• Varieties include Tango, Minuet or Dark Horse

• Alternate variety is My Monet which has variegated foliage and pink trumpet flowers

#2 Rosy Glow or Orange Rocket Barberry 

• Smaller shrub growing 4 feet tall / 2 feet wide

• New growth emerges with orange-reddish tones followed by small crimson fruit

#3 Gold Tide Forsythia

• Smaller shrub growing 2-3 feet tall & wide

• Good shrub for groundcover

• Yellow flowers very early in April

#4 Hydrangea (smaller) varieties

• Several smaller shrubs ranging from 2-3 feet tall, with some growing up to 3-4 feet tall

• Wide range of flower colors and types.

• Little Quick Fire (3-4 feet tall / wide, white flowers turning pink in fall)

• Little Lime (3-4 feet tall / wide, white flowers turning pink in fall

• Endless Summer (3-4 feet tall / wide, large bluish flowers, repeat bloomer)

• Twist N Shout (3-4 feet tall / wide, pink to periwinkle / blue flowers)

#5 Summer Flowering Spirea

• Several smaller shrubs growing 2-4 feet tall with a wide range of density, foliage and flowers.

• Little Princess (compact form, 2-3 feet tall, pink flowers)

• Neon Flash (3 feet tall, new foliage is red / purple, deep pink flowers)

• Japanese White (3 feet tall, white flowers)

• Big Bang Double Play (2-3 feet tall, with yellowish foliage, pink flowers)