Aralia elata ‘Variegata’

The Japanese angelica tree, A. elata, is an elegant, deciduous shrub with striking gray-green leaves that turn many shades of yellow, orange, or purple in the fall. Large heads of small white flowers appear in late summer. The leaves of ‘Variegata’ have creamy-white margins that shine out in a shady border. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 15 ft (5 m)

Azara microphylla

An attractive evergreen shrub or small tree with large sprays of small, glossy, dark green leaves. Small clusters of vanillascented, deep yellow flowers are borne in late winter and early spring, making it a useful shrub for winter interest. It will tolerate part-shade and grows well against a wall. Height 22 ft (7 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Buddleja alternifolia ‘Argentea’

The slender, arching branches of this robust deciduous shrub have narrow gray-green leaves and carry dense clusters of very fragrant lilac flowers in summer. Its weeping habit makes it suitable for training as a standard. Prune after flowering to prevent branches from becoming tangled. Height 12 ft (4 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Buddleja globosa

This striking upright shrub has handsome, semievergreen, dark green leaves. Small, bright, orange-yellow balls of fragrant flowers appear in early summer, and will brighten up a border. It prefers a sunny position and tolerates chalky soil, but does not respond well to hard pruning. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 15 ft (5 m)

Camellia ‘Leonard Messel’

Camellias are invaluable evergreen spring-flowering shrubs for acid soils in sheltered sites. ‘Leonard Messel’ produces a profusion of large, semidouble, pink flowers in spring that stand out vividly against a background of matt, dark green leaves. It is ideal as a specimen or in a woodland setting. Height 12 ft (4 m) – Width 10 ft (3 m)

Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’

Known as wintersweet, this deciduous shrub produces pale yellow flowers that hang from its bare stems throughout winter, perfuming the air with intoxicating scent. Grow it as a specimen shrub, as part of a border planting, or train it on a sunny wall. The stems can be cut for indoor displays. Height 12 ft (4 m) – Width 10 ft (3 m)

Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii

This spectacular deciduous shrub has an upright habit and attractive bronze young leaves. Fragrant, white, star-shaped flowers with green sepals open from pink and greenishwhite buds in late summer. Jewel-like, bright blue berries, surrounded by pronounced maroon calyxes, follow the flowers. Height 20 ft (6 m) – Width 20 ft (6 m)

Cordyline australis ‘Red Star’

The New Zealand cabbage palm is a popular evergreen shrub grown for its striking foliage. In warm regions, it makes an eye-catching architectural plant for a sheltered courtyard garden; in frost-prone areas, keep it in a pot in a cool greenhouse during winter. ‘Red Star’ has rich red-bronze, sword-like leaves. Height 10–30 ft (3–10 m) – Width 3–12 ft (1–4 m)

Cornus mas

Shrubs that flower in winter, such as this Cornelian cherry, are a valuable asset to the designer. It bears little clusters of tiny yellow flowers on bare branches in late winter, before the leaves appear. Bright red fruits are produced in late summer, and the leaves turn red-purple in the fall. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 15 ft (5 m)

Corylus maxima ‘Purpurea’

The intense color of this deciduous, deep purple-leaved hazel makes an immediate impact in a garden. Attractive purple-tinged catkins appear in late winter, and edible nuts ripen in the fall. Grow as a specimen plant or as a focal point in a shrub border. The best color is produced in full sun. Height 20 ft (6 m) – Width 15 ft (5 m)

Cotinus coggygria Rubrifolius Group

This bushy, deciduous shrub is known as the smoke bush because its fluffy plumes of pale pink summer flowers produce a smoky effect. The dark purple leaves color best in full sun, and turn scarlet and orange in the fall. A fine structural shrub to plant on its own, it is also useful at the back of a border. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 15 ft (5 m)

Cotinus ‘Grace’

A vigorous smoke bush cultivar that can be grown as a small bushy tree or as a tall multistemmed shrub. Large, dark pink flower clusters appear above the foliage in summer, and the soft purple-red leaves turn a brilliant orange-red before falling. An excellent choice for fall color. Height 20 ft (6 m) – Width 15 ft (5 m)

Cytisus battandieri

An elegant, deciduous shrub, the pineapple broom gained its common name from the scent of its yellow pea-like flowers, which emerge in summer. Its attractive, silvery-green leaves are covered in soft, silky hairs. Ideal as a free-standing shrub, but grow it against a sunny wall in colder areas.  Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 15 ft (5 m)

Dipelta floribunda

This handsome deciduous shrub offers interest through the seasons. Masses of fragrant pale pink flowers with yellow markings appear in late spring, its light green leaves turn yellow in the fall, and it has attractive peeling bark in winter. Grow it as a specimen plant or in a shrub border. Height 12 ft (4 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Elaeagnus x ebbingei ‘Gilt Edge’

A hardy, evergreen, dense shrub, ‘Gilt Edge’ has brown scaly stems and glossy leaves with green centers and golden-yellow margins. Small, lightly-scented flowers are produced from mid to late fall. The plant’s hardiness makes it a good choice for a shelter belt or hedge, especially in coastal areas. Height 12 ft (4 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Elaeagnus ‘Quicksilver’

With silvery shoots and narrow, silver-gray leaves, this fast-growing shrub makes a great foil for dark-leaved plants. Although bushy, with a loose, spreading crown, it can be trained as a small tree. Star-shaped, fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers open from silvery buds in late spring or summer. Height 12 ft (4 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’

Witch hazel is a handsome shrub that produces spider-like scented flowers on bare branches in winter. There are many cultivars. ‘Jelena’ has large, coppery-orange flowers and orange and red fall foliage. ‘Pallida’ bears large, fragrant, yellow flowers and has golden fall leaves. Height 12 ft (4 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Unique’

Hydrangeas are mainly grown for their showy flowerheads, but some have pretty bark and others develop good fall color. H. paniculata ‘Unique’ bears large, creamy-white flowerheads from midsummer to early fall, and its leaves turn yellow before dropping. It’s best planted singly or in a shrub border. Height 10–22 ft (3–7 m) – Width 8 ft (2.5 m)

Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’

Common holly has dark green leaves, but there are many cultivars with white, cream, or yellow variegation. ‘Silver Queen’ is a male variety (it does not bear berries); it forms an upright evergreen, with purple stems and striking leaves with broad, creamy-white margins. It is ideal for hedges and screens. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Juniperus communis ‘Hibernica’

Junipers tolerate a wide range of soils and growing conditions, are tough enough for hot, sunny sites, and need little pruning. ‘Hibernica’, also known as the Irish juniper, forms a slender column of crowded, needle-like leaves, each with a silver line, and makes an excellent structural plant for formal gardens. Height 10–15 ft (3–10 m) – Width 12 in (30 cm)

Ligustrum ovalifolium ‘Aureum’

A vigorous, semievergreen shrub, golden privet has variegated leaves with bright yellow margins and bears dense clusters of white flowers in midsummer, followed by black berries. It clips easily and is ideal for hedging and topiary. Shade tolerant, it can be planted to brighten a shady corner of the yard. Height 4m (12ft) – Width 4m (12ft)

Mahonia x media ‘Charity’

With their attractive foliage, bright yellow flowers, and decorative fruits, mahonias make magnificent architectural features in a winter garden. ‘Charity’ is fast-growing and has spiny holly-like leaves. Bright yellow to lemon-yellow flowers are produced in spikes from late fall to late winter. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’

This hardy evergreen shrub is grown for its conspicuous, deep red young foliage, which is produced in spring on the tips of the branches. It looks good in a woodland garden or in a shrub border, and can also be used for hedging. ‘Red Robin’ is a compact cultivar, with especially bright red young leaves. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 15 ft (5 m)

Rhamnus alaternus ‘Argenteovariegata’

This handsome, bushy, evergreen shrub bears glossy graygreen leaves with creamy-white margins. Small yellow-green flowers appear in early summer, followed by spherical red berries in a warm summer, which ripen to black. It does well in coastal and city gardens, but needs shelter in colder areas. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Rhododendron luteum

An elegant deciduous azalea, R. luteum bears rounded clusters of funnel-shaped yellow flowers in late spring, which have a delightful scent. The rich green leaves turn shades of crimson, purple, and orange in the fall, making it a valuable garden plant over a long season. It requires acid soil. Height 12 ft (4 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Syringa vulgaris ‘Mrs. Edward Harding’

Lilacs form spreading deciduous shrubs with pretty heartshaped leaves, and make useful screening plants. Sweetlyscented flowerheads appear from spring to early summer. There are over 500 cultivars of common lilac to choose from; ‘Mrs. Edward Harding’ has double, purple-red flowers. Height to 22 ft (7 m) – Width to 22 ft (7 m)

Tamarix ramosissima ‘Pink Cascade’

Tamarisks are excellent shrubs for exposed coastal gardens where they can make an effective screen. They have attractive, feathery foliage, formed of needle-like leaves. T. ramosissima is deciduous, with arching branches and upright plumes of small, pink flowers; ‘Pink Cascade’ has rich pink flowers. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 15 ft (5 m)

Viburnum opulus

The guelder rose is a good choice for a wildlife garden as birds love the translucent red berries; as a bonus, the leaves also turn a rich red in the fall. The late spring blooms are attractive, too, forming lacecap-like heads of white flowers. This deciduous plant is vigorous and is commonly seen in hedgerows. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)