Great Shrubs for Dry Soils in New England

Regional Gardening, Best Shrubs, New England Gardening

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Hardy shrubs are important elements in New England gardens. They add depth and character to any garden and provide lovely blooms, attractive berries, showy fall colors, and food for the birds.

Do not despair if your garden is affected by dry soil conditions. There are plenty of beautiful shrubs for difficult sites like yours.

If your soil is sandy and tends to drain quickly, you may want to add plenty of organic matter to improve its moisture-holding capacity.

Below is the list of shrub species and cultivars that cope better than most with dry conditions. Remember to provide them with plenty of water after planting them in order to get them well established.

As you will note, some are top performers and have received the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society!

Guide Information

Hardiness	3 - 7
Heat Zones	1 - 3
Plant Type	Shrubs
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height
Spread
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

Great Shrubs for Dry, Infertile Soils in New England

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a hardy, evergreen shrub with trailing red stems and glossy, dark green leaves. In winter, the foliage turns red or purple before regaining its green color in spring. The shrub produces delicate clusters of white-to-pink lantern-shaped flowers in mid to late spring, followed by edible red berries in the fall.

Hardiness	2 - 6
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread	3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm)

Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Kinshiden’ (Flowering Quince)

Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Kinshiden’ (Flowering Quince) is a spreading, deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of double, pale lemony-white flowers. Borne on thorny, tangled branches, they bloom in profusion for 4-6 weeks in early spring and give way to small, aromatic, greenish yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early)
Height	5' - 8' (150cm - 240cm)
Spread	6' - 10' (180cm - 3m)

Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Moerloosei’ (Flowering Quince)

Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Moerloosei’ (Flowering Quince) is a spreading medium-sized deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of apple blossom pink and white blooms, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm). Borne on thorny, tangled branches before the glossy, dark green leaves appear, they bloom in profusion for a few weeks in early spring and give way to small, fragrant, apple-shaped, greenish-yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall. This shrub has a strong, upright habit and is a good choice for wall training.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early)
Height	3' - 10' (90cm - 3m)
Spread	4' - 15' (120cm - 4.6m)

Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Nivalis’ (Flowering Quince)

Highly desirable, Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Nivalis’ (Flowering Quince) is a spreading, deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of pure white flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm). Borne on thorny, tangled branches, they bloom in profusion for a few weeks in early spring and give way to small, fragrant, greenish yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall. This ornamental quince is one of the earliest to flower.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early)
Height	7' - 8' (210cm - 240cm)
Spread	12' - 13' (3.7m - 4m)

Cotinus coggygria (Smokebush)

Cotinus coggygria, known as Smoketree, is celebrated for its stunning foliage and large, airy flower plumes that turn yellowish-pink to purple in spring, creating ‘smoky’ puffs throughout summer. This upright, multi-branched deciduous shrub, native to Southern Europe and central China, features round leaves in shades of green or rich purple. Its small flowers, in clustered panicles, have pink or purple hairs, giving a fluffy cloud effect.

Hardiness	5 - 7
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m)
Spread	10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m)

Forsythia ‘Happy Centennial’

A great harbinger of spring, Forsythia ‘Happy Centennial’ is a compact, spreading, deciduous shrub with a profusion of bright-yellow, four-petaled flowers which appear before the leaves in early to mid-spring. The foliage of leathery, ovate, dark green leaves remains attractive throughout the growing season. Developed in Canada at the Ottawa Experiment Station, this Forsythia cultivar is recognized for its extreme flower bud hardiness (to approximately -30°F or -34°C). It will bloom heavily after even severe winters when many other Forsythia cultivars would not. Its low and horizontal branching makes it a very graceful shrub. Ideal for small gardens.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)

Hamamelis virginiana (Virginian Witch Hazel)

Hamamelis virginiana (Virginian Witch Hazel) is a large deciduous shrub or small tree, admired for its fantastic fall attributes. Its sweetly-scented, pale yellow flowers appear in fall and early winter, with ribbon-like, crinkled petals. The smooth, broadly oval leaves open light green and turn to brilliant golden yellow shades in fall. This Witch Hazel’s smooth gray bark, floral splendor, and colorful fall foliage make it a wonderful addition to any landscape. Additionally, it is the species used to produce medicinal witch-hazel extract.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Fall, Winter
Height	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)

Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’ (Japanese Kerria)

Renowned for its vibrant green winter stems and charming yellow spring flowers, Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’ (Japanese Kerria) is a vigorous deciduous shrub of exceptional beauty. Its slender, arching stems bear clusters of pom-pom-like, bright yellow flowers resembling miniature roses. The foliage consists of narrow, light green leaves with prominent veins that transition to yellow in the fall. The attractive bright green winter stems add visual interest year-round to this popular and resilient flowering shrub.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	8' - 10' (240cm - 3m)
Spread	8' - 10' (240cm - 3m)

Ribes alpinum (Alpine Currant)

Resilient and compact, Ribes alpinum (Alpine Currant) thrives in winter conditions, forming a dense mound of trilobed leaves. The bright green foliage transitions to a glossy dark green, then turns yellow in the fall. While the greenish-yellow flowers are small, female plants produce striking scarlet berries in midsummer. Perfect for formal and informal hedges, this shrub maintains full foliage coverage and responds well to pruning.

Hardiness	2 - 7
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm)
Spread	3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm)

Symphoricarpos albus (Common Snowberry)

With its waxy, pure white berries, Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry) is a resilient and adaptable deciduous shrub. In early summer, it produces clusters of small, bell-shaped white to pink flowers that attract butterflies and pollinators. These flowers give way to abundant snow-white berries that persist throughout winter, adding visual interest to the landscape.

Hardiness	3 - 7
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Summer (Early, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm)
Spread	3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm)

Viburnum lentago (Nannyberry)

Viburnum lentago, or Nannyberry, is a remarkable deciduous shrub or small tree known for its showy flowers, glossy foliage, and vibrant fall colors. Its creamy-white flower clusters in spring give way to pendulous clusters of bluish-black berries in fall, providing food for wildlife. The ovate, glossy dark green leaves turn attractive shades of yellow, red, and purple in autumn.

Hardiness	2 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m)
Spread	6' - 12' (180cm - 3.7m)

Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil)

Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil) is a durable, compact shrub known for its abundant yellow flowers, blooming from late spring to frost. The blooms, covering the shrub, beautifully contrast with its blue-green, pinnate leaves. Renowned for its lengthy bloom time and resilience to drought and cold, it’s low-maintenance and ideal for informal hedging or sunny borders.

Hardiness	3 - 7
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm)
Spread	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)

Syringa vulgaris (Common Lilac)

With its delightful fragrance, Syringa vulgaris (Common Lilac) is a springtime favorite in colder climates. These easy-to-grow shrubs are tough, deer-resistant, and relatively pest-free. Prized for their abundant flowers, Common Lilacs are a top choice for adding beauty to any landscape.

Hardiness	3 - 7
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late)
Height	3' - 15' (90cm - 4.6m)
Spread	4' - 10' (120cm - 3m)

Syringa vulgaris (Common Lilac) Read More

Selecting the right shrub can be daunting for New England gardeners. You may want to review the guides below if you are looking for beautiful, low-maintenance, and hardy plants that thrive in the New England region. They will assist you in finding top-performing shrubs that are perfectly suited to your garden.

Award-Winning Shrubs for Gardeners in New England Read More

Great Shrubs for Shady Gardens in New England Read More

Great Shrubs for Sunny Slopes in New England Gardens Read More

Great Shrubs with Berries for Winter Interest for New England Read More

Great Shrubs with Brilliant Fall Color for New England Gardens Read More

Overlooked Flowering Shrubs for New England Gardens Read More

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

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Guides with

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.