Problem-free Shrubs for Virginia Landscapes

The most effective form of plant disease control in the landscape is prevention. Disease prevention can be as simple as choosing the right plant for the right place at planting time. This fact sheet was developed as a guide to shrubs that generally experience few problems in Virginia landscapes. Using these species for new plantings should help you avoid troublesome disease and insect problems in your landscape.

All of the species or cultivars described have been chosen for their relative disease- and insect-free qualities and their desirable horticultural attributes. The list was reviewed by a plant pathologist, an entomologist, and a horticulturist and includes information on some of the pertinent cultural characteristics of each species to help you decide whether the shrub is the right choice for the landscape you have in mind. Plants marked with an asterisk (*) are native to the eastern U.S. All photos were taken by A. Niemiera (second author). Information for several other recommend problem-free shrubs (with details but no photos) occurs in Table 1 (at end of section with photos).

Although some species are not listed here because they tend to have disease or insect problems, resistant cultivars of some of these species may be available. Consult your local nursery personnel or Extension agent for recommendations on the latest cultivars.

Problem-free Shrubs

Berberis xgladwynensis ‘William Penn’ (William Penn barberry) is a medium, evergreen shrub that is armed with spines. This densely growing barberry has somewhat showy (upon close inspection) yellow flowers in spring and is relatively drought-tolerant. William Penn barberry is typically used as a low hedge or in border plantings. Some winter damage can occur in Zone 6a.

Cephalanthus occidentalis* (buttonbush) is a large shrub that produces white flowers in globular heads in June, July, and August. Buttonbush is somewhat lanky, but is a good choice for informal landscapes. It does best in moist soil and does not tolerate drought.

Clethra alnifolia* (sweet pepperbush) is tolerant of wet soils. It tends to form colonies slowly, and the cultivar ‘Sixteen Candles’ remains compact. Its very fragrant white flowers open in July. Pictured here is the pink-flowered cultivar ‘Pink Spires’.

Cornus alba (Tatarian dogwood) has beautiful, red stems in winter. Although several diseases are reported to occur on this species, experience shows that disease problems are rare on C. alba in Virginia landscapes. Japanese beetles can be a problem and borers sometimes follow mechanical injury to the plants. C. alba is quite vigorous and can sometimes overgrow neighboring shrubs. Variegated cultivars, such as the one pictured here, are available. Cornus sericea* has similar attributes to C. alba.

Cornus mas (Corneliancherry dogwood) is a large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. It has attractive, flaky bark and small but showy, yellow flowers in early spring. Cherry-like red fruit are showy for about a month in summer. Fruit may pose a mess if near a walkway or patio. Several cultivars, including variegated ones, are available.

Forsythia xintermedia (border forsythia) is a common, large, fast-growing shrub with very showy flowers in spring that suffers few disease and insect problems, but needs frequent grooming. Phomopsis gall, a fungal disease associated with dieback, is occasionally a problem on forsythia stems. Border forsythia is adaptable to a wide range of soils. Full sun is best for flowering.

Fothergilla gardenii* (dwarf fothergilla) is a medium, slow-growing multi-stemmed shrub species. It has beautiful flowers (April) and very showy fall foliage but is slightly less showy than F. major. It flowers and shows its fall colors best in full sun. Dwarf fothergilla requires a moist, well-drained acid soil and does not tolerate drought. The cultivar ‘Mt. Airy’ exhibits the best characteristics of the species. Fothergilla major is a larger version of F. gardenia with the same showy flower and fall foliage characteristics.

Hydrangea arborescens* (smooth hydrangea) is a medium native shrub that produces pretty white flowers in July. It prefers partial shade, but can be grown in full sun with supplemental water. It can be cut back every year because it flowers on new wood. Pictured here is the cultivar ‘Annabelle’. Stems of large flowered cultivars (such as ‘Annabelle’) will flop from the weight of the flowers; staking stems can remedy this situation.

Hydrangea macrophylla (bigleaf hydrangea) is a round medium shrub that prefers moist, well-drained soil. Flowers are blue in acid soil (< pH 5.5) and pink when soil pH is above 6.0. Flower buds may be killed in Zone 6, but this species does well from Roanoke eastward. Cultivars that vary in hardiness and flower type, and cultivars that flower on new wood are available.

Hydrangea quercifolia* (oakleaf hydrangea) is an upright medium shrub with nice fall foliage color and leaves that remain on the plant until late in the fall. It sometimes develops leaf spot, but plants still seem to thrive. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil and in sun to partial shade. Many cultivars that vary in size and flower characteristics are available.

Ilex cornuta¹ (Chinese holly) cultivars do well in Zones 7a-8 in Virginia. This species is a beautiful evergreen shrub that withstands heat and drought. A few cultivars of this species have leaves with very sharp teeth (e.g., ‘Rotunda’, photo lower left) and one must be careful where such cultivars are placed. The cultivar ‘Burfordii’ has a single spine at the tip of the leaf (three photos to the right). Some diseases are reported, but we rarely see them in Virginia. Scales, followed by sooty mold, can be a problem on this and other holly species, however.

Ilex verticillata* (winterberry) is a medium to large slow-growing shrub species that does well in both heavy and light soils, but is native to swampy areas and prefers moist, acid soils high in organic matter. It produces persistent red berries that are a nice accent to the winter landscape. At least one male plant must be planted among female plants for fruit production. The cultivar ‘Winter Red’ is a prolific fruit-producer. Compact, dwarf cultivars, such as ‘Red Sprite,’ are also available.

Ilex vomitoria*1 (Yaupon holly) is adapted to both dry and wet soils. Like other hollies, it is susceptible to scales and sooty mold. I. vomitoria is suitable for Zones 7-9. There are several cultivars, which vary in size and form (from small shrub to small tree). Pictured here is the dwarf cultivar ‘Nana’.

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) cultivars vary in size from medium shrubs to small trees. Like all junipers, this species needs full sun. Many cultivars are susceptible to the fungal diseases, Phomopsis blight and Kabatina tip blight, but some cultivars, such as ‘Keteleeri,’ ‘Pfitzeriana’ (pictured bottom left), ‘Pfitzeriana Aurea’ (top left photo), var. sargentii, and var. sargentii ‘Glauca’ have resistance to these diseases. The upright cultivar pictured on the right is ‘Torulosa.’

Juniperus conferta (shore juniper) is a low-growing ground cover that has lush, bluish foliage when grown in the right soil. The main problem seen on this species is stress from being planted in poorly drained soils. Shore juniper can tolerate dry, sandy soils, but does poorly in heavy, clay soils. The prevalent cultivar in the trade is ‘Blue Pacific,’ pictured here.

Mahonia aquifolium (Oregongrapeholly) is a medium evergreen shrub that has showy, yellow flowers in April and showy blue fruit in early summer, but it must be planted in the correct location. It prefers shade and moist, well-drained soil. It may develop symptoms of scorch in full sun. It is also sensitive to high pH and exhibits chlorosis in alkaline soils.

Mahonia bealei (leatherleaf mahonia), like M. aquifolium, is a medium evergreen shrub that bears beautiful blue fruit and requires shade. It bears lemon-yellow, fragrant flowers in early spring. There are some reports of this species being somewhat invasive.

Myrica pensylvanica* (northern bayberry) is a medium to large deciduous shrub that does best in Zones 3-6, and, therefore, can mainly be considered for western and northern Virginia. It grows well in both poor, sandy soils and in heavy, clay soils, but may develop chlorosis in alkaline soils. It can be grown in full sun to half shade. It may get large but can be pruned. At least one male should be planted among female plants to produce silver small fruit that are relatively showy in the winter. Many cultivars that vary in hardiness are available. Myrica cerifera* (southern waxmyrtle) is a large evergreen shrub (Zones 7-11) that will also tolerate wet and dry soils. Both species will sucker (produce shoots from their roots) and thus will produce a colony of stems. This characteristic may be a disadvantage since a plant may invade an adjacent bed space. The genus name, Myrica, has been changed to Morella but this species is mostly listed as Myrica.

Rhus typhina* (staghorn sumac) is a large shrub or small tree that is known for being “hard to kill” and has very showy fall foliage color. Although this species is reported to be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, this disease has not been a problem on Rhus typhina in Virginia. Female plants have persistent, showy, red fruit stalks. Staghorn sumac tolerates dry soil, but does not do well in poorly drained areas.

Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ (Meyer lilac), a medium, dense shrub, is resistant to powdery mildew, which commonly afflicts the common lilac, Syringa vulgaris. It needs full sun for maximum flowering, which occurs in April. Flowers are very fragrant. Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’ has similar attributes to ‘Palibin’ but bears its very fragrant flowers in May.

Viburnum xburkwoodii (burkwood viburnum) is a large shrub that flowers in April. It has very fragrant flowers, is relatively drought-tolerant, and has fair to good fall color. It is often used for shrub borders. Pictured here is the cultivar ‘Mohawk’.

Viburnum carlesii (Koreanspice viburnum) is one of the parents of the burkwood viburnum and has the same traits listed for that hybrid. The popular cultivar ‘Compactum’ is more dense and compact than the species.

Viburnum dentatum* (arrowwood viburnum) is a multi-stemmed, dense, large shrub. It is adapted to a variety of soils and can be grown in sun or partial shade. It has no serious pests or diseases and is valued for its durability and white flowers.

Viburnum dilatatum (linden viburnum) grows best in moist, slightly acid soil. It produces many flowers, but the flowers have an unpleasant odor. The newer cultivars are more compact and less leggy. If grown in Zone 8 (the Virginia Beach area), it should be grown in partial shade and the soil should be kept moist. Some cultivars, such as ‘Asian Beauty’ can have very showy fruit if there are other cultivars of this species in the vicinity (for cross pollination).

Viburnum nudum* (possumhaw viburnum) is a native large shrub or small tree with lustrous, dark green leaves and a spreading, rounded crown. Flowers occur in long-stemmed, flat-topped clusters and fruit, which is black at maturity, persists through the winter. Possumhaw viburnum does well in average to moist soil. The cultivar ‘Winterthur,’ pictured here, is prevalent in the trade.

Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum (doublefile viburnum) is a medium to large shrub, depending on the cultivar. It has a horizontal form and very showy white flowers in May. The berries are also quite striking and remain on the plants for about two weeks in early fall. Some cultivars also have showy fall foliage color.

Viburnum prunifolium* (blackhaw viburnum) may be a multi-stemmed shrub or a small tree. Its growth habit is similar to some of the hawthorns. It does well in dry soil, is adapted to many soil types, can be grown in sun or shade, and has no serious disease or insect pests. It produces showy, white flowers in May followed by showy pink, turning to blue-black fruit.

**Shrub sizes: small, less than 5 feet tall; medium, 5 feet to less than 9 feet tall; large, 9 feet or taller.

References

Dirr, M.A. 2009. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, 6th ed. Stipes Publishing L.L.C., Champaign, Ill. 1325 pp.

Flint, H.L. 1983. Landscape Plants for Eastern North America. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, N.J. 677 pp.

Johnson, W.T., and Lyon, H.H. 1991. Insects that Feed on Trees and Shrubs, 2nd edition. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, N.Y., and London, UK. 560 pp.

Sinclair, W.A., and Lyon, H.H. 2005. Diseases of Trees and Shrubs, 2nd edition. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, N.Y., and London, UK. 660 pp.

Whitcomb, C.E. 1996. Know It & Grow It. Lacebark, Inc., P.O. Box 2383, Stillwater, Okla.

¹Although both I. cornuta and I. vomitoria are susceptible to scales and sooty mold, they are included because few other evergreen shrubs are listed and these species of Ilex do perform well in many landscapes.