What Is a Shrub?
The most noticeable difference between a tree and a shrub is typically their size and branching habit. Shrubs are woody plants that are generally smaller than trees, often characterized by multiple stems branching out from or near the ground level rather than a single, dominant trunk. They play a vital role in garden design, providing structure, interest, and habitat. South Africa’s diverse climates allow for a wide variety of easy-to-grow shrubs, and we’ve highlighted some popular and reliable options for you.
Roses
A universally popular shrub, roses are a firm favorite across South Africa and the world. Coming in a huge array of options – from compact groundcovers to towering climbers and classic bush varieties – you are certain to find the perfect rose for your garden. Extensive breeding over centuries has resulted in an astonishing diversity of colors, forms, and fragrances.
Provided your roses have a sunny location (at least 6 hours of direct sun daily) with good drainage, they will bring many years of happiness. During the summer months, especially in drier regions, be sure to keep the soil consistently damp, but avoid waterlogging. Regular feeding and pruning will encourage prolific blooming.
Bougainvillea
While often associated with South Africa due to its widespread presence, Bougainvillea is actually native to South America. Nevertheless, it thrives in South Africa’s sunny, warm climates. Its vibrant, papery bracts (often mistaken for flowers) in shades of magenta, orange, yellow, pink, and purple can dramatically brighten any space.
Preferring drier soil conditions once established (they are quite drought-tolerant), Bougainvillea is relatively easy to grow. They do require a bit of maintenance, as their vigorous growth and thorny stems can quickly overtake areas of the garden if left unchecked. Regular pruning is key to managing their size and promoting more blooms. Often used against walls, pergolas, or as a vibrant hedge, Bougainvillea are perfect for hiding unsightly areas or creating a striking focal point.
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Brunfelsia pauciflora)
One of the most enchanting shrubs, ‘Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ is cherished for its delightful fragrance and captivating flower display. The blooms undergo a remarkable color transformation over three days: opening as a deep purple (yesterday), fading to a lighter lavender (today), and finally becoming white (tomorrow). This continuous change means you’ll see all three colors simultaneously on the bush, creating a stunning visual effect.
Easy to grow and exceptionally rewarding, Brunfelsia pauciflora is a popular and easy shrub to cultivate in South Africa, thriving in well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun, though afternoon shade is beneficial in hot climates.
Blue Potato Bush (Lycianthes Rantonnetii, formerly Solanum Rantonnetii)
This delightful bush brings forth an abundance of beautiful purple-blue flowers, often with a yellow eye, throughout the summer and into autumn. The Blue Potato Bush grows well in direct sun but will also be quite happy in a semi-shaded area. Not requiring a lot of water once established, it is an easy shrub to incorporate into your garden. While referred to as a “bush,” it can grow quite large, typically reaching 2-3 meters in height and width, and can even be trained as a small tree or espalier.
Hydrangea Shrubs (Hydrangea Macrophylla)
Hydrangeas come in a beautiful array of colors, most popularly soft purples, pinks, blues, and whites, often forming lovely, large globular or lacecap flower heads. These easy-to-grow shrubs do prefer partial shade over full, scorching sun, especially in hotter regions, and thrive in slightly moist, well-drained soil. The color of certain Hydrangea varieties (particularly Hydrangea macrophylla) can be influenced by the soil’s pH level; acidic soil tends to produce blue flowers, while alkaline soil promotes pink ones. Often planted in rows or masses, Hydrangeas with their lush foliage and abundant flowers make them a popular choice for filling up garden beds, creating borders, or hiding unattractive backgrounds.
Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma Capensis)
These evergreen, fast-growing shrubs are indeed ubiquitous across South Africa, particularly in the warmer, frost-free regions. Offering vibrant clusters of yellow, red, or orange trumpet-shaped flowers, their sweet nectar is an all-time favorite for sunbirds (often mistaken for hummingbirds in South Africa) and bees. Depending on how you wish to use your Cape Honeysuckle – as a freestanding bush, a scrambling groundcover, or trained as a vine over a fence or arbor – an annual pruning is highly suggested to maintain its shape and promote continuous flowering. It’s incredibly versatile and drought-tolerant once established.
Golden Dewdrops (Duranta Erecta)
The Duranta, or Golden Dewdrops as it is more commonly known, is a highly versatile shrub. It’s widely used for creating informal hedges, borders, privacy screens, or as a striking specimen plant. With its very light, almost neon (golden) green leaves, it truly stands out anywhere it is placed. Many varieties also produce attractive purple or white flowers followed by clusters of small, golden-orange berries, which are a favorite of birds. While generally easy to grow, it can be quite vigorous and may require regular pruning to keep its shape. Note that the berries are mildly toxic if ingested by humans or pets.