Planting shrubs in your backyard can add color, vibrancy, and shelter to your outdoor space.
There are many different types of shrubs in Mississippi to choose from, and they each have their own characteristics and features that make them better suited to certain locations than others.
The type of plant you choose will depend on your preference and the environment it will be planted in.
So, it’s important to do some research first before making a purchase.
This article will provide you with an overview of different types of shrubs in Mississippi that you can purchase in Mississippi today.
1. American Beautyberry
American Beautyberry is the first on the list of types of shrubs in Mississippi.
American beautyberry is a shrub with edible purple berries and was traditionally used by Native Americans as a food source.
This plant is found throughout the southeastern region and is classified as endangered.
American beautyberry grows best in full sun or partial shade and has a lifespan of 10-20 years.
The leaves on this shrub are dark green, the flowers are small, white, and fragrant, and they bloom from June to September.
When selecting this type of shrub for your yard, ensure you do not plant it near any other plant with similar colors. As it may cause confusion when trying to tell them apart.
2. Groundsel Bush
Groundsel bush is a flowering shrub that is native to Mississippi and the southern United States.
It has often been found in many other parts of the world as an invasive species.
The leaves are small and narrow and are mostly arranged near the end of the stem.
The plant produces small clusters of purple flowers in summer, followed by round seed capsules that turn red when they ripen.
Groundsel bush types of shrubs in Mississippi can grow up to 10 feet tall but will generally stay closer to 5 feet if it is trimmed regularly.
It prefers dry soil and full sun exposure but will also tolerate partial shade.
3. Tag Alder
Tag Alder is next on the list of types of shrubs in Mississippi. Alder is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
The leaves are alternate, simple, and linear with an oblique base.
The flowers are catkins that develop from the leaf axils. Flowers bloom from March through May and give off a sweet-smelling fragrance.
Be sure not to plant too close to or underneath other shrubs, as the roots will damage them.
4. Red Buckeye
Red buckeye is another type of shrub in Mississippi. It is a small tree that produces red flowers. The leaves are green and pinnately compound but turn yellow in the fall.
Although it prefers full sun and moist soil, Hippocastanaceae, also known as red buckeye, is a family of flowering plants with about 125 genera and over 2,000 species, including horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), sweet gale (Myrica gale), bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), nannyberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) and blueberry (Vaccinium).
5. Sweetshrub
Sweetshrub is next on the list of types of shrubs in Mississippi. Sweetshrub is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 25 feet tall. It thrives in USDA Zones 3-8.
Calycanthus floridus Linneaus, commonly known as the sweetshrub, is a native to Mississippi and North America plant with clusters of fragrant flowers and distinctive leaves resembling maple leaves.
The flowers are densely arranged at the tips of branches and give off a spicy fragrance when they bloom in late summer or fall.
6. Buttonbush
Buttonbush is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 10 feet high and 6 feet wide.
They are deciduous, and their foliage turns yellow, orange, or red during the fall months.
The flowers on these plants bloom from May to September.
Buttonbush is a beautiful plant that can be planted anywhere in Mississippi and the United States.
It thrives best when planted alongside other water-loving plants like erythrina and oleanders.
The flowers attract pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies, making them a popular addition for gardeners interested in attracting wildlife.
Cephalanthus occidentalis Linneaus (commonly known as buttonbush) is an evergreen shrub that grows up to 10 feet tall by 6 feet wide at maturity.
7. Fringe Tree
A fringe tree is a deciduous shrub that grows naturally up to ten feet tall. It has a graceful arching habit and can be used as a specimen or hedge plant.
Fringe tree flowers with white, fragrant blooms in the spring. These shrubs are sensitive to cold and will not tolerate temperatures below 20 degrees F (-6 C) or hot, dry conditions that exceed 90 degrees F (32 C).
8. Summersweet
Summersweet is a deciduous shrub that grows from 6 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 3-8 feet.
It is hardy to zone 3a and has fragrant yellow flowers and green foliage.
Summersweet likes full sun or partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, but it can also grow in dry soils. Bees are attracted to flowers for pollination.
The plant has a natural tendency for suckering. However, it can be propagated by seedlings or cuttings taken from the stems during late summer through early fall.
9. Buckwheat Tree
The buckwheat tree is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 20 feet tall. It is an attractive plant with dark green, glossy leaves.
These types of shrubs in Mississippi have fragrant, white, or pink flowers and blooms from late spring through early fall.
Buckwheat trees are great for planting under power lines or near buildings because the flowers are not messy.
And the limbs are heavy enough not to break the power lines when they droop too low.
When you’re considering what types of shrubs in Mississippi you would like to plant in your garden, consider adding a buckwheat tree!
10. Witch Alder
Alder is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 8 feet tall. It has small, triangular leaves and white flowers that bloom from March through April.
The flowers will produce the seeds necessary for regrowth in the following year.
Alder is commonly used for screens or privacy hedges due to its size and shape.
But it can also be used as a foundation plant or border plant because it can grow alongside taller plants like dogwoods and ferns.
11. Fothergilla Major
Fothergilla major (Sims) Lodd. is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall and has clusters of yellow-green flowers that bloom from April through May.
In autumn, Fothergilla displays orange berries on its branches before shedding its leaves for the winter months.
12. Dwarf Huckleberry
Dwarf Huckleberry or Gaylussacia dumosa (Andrz.) T & G is a type of shrub that is native to Mississippi and the eastern United States.
It has glossy green leaves and pink flowers, which can be used for medicinal purposes.
13. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub that grows to be 2-6 feet tall. It prefers moist, slightly acidic soil and can tolerate full sun or shade.
Witch hazel is an excellent plant for wildlife because it provides a lot of cover and nesting sites. The flowers are small yellow blossoms that grow on long branches.
Hamamelis virginiana Linnaeus, also known as witch hazel, is one type of shrub you may want to plant if you live in Mississippi or the southeastern part of the United States.
This plant has been used medicinally for centuries due to its astringent properties.
14. Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf Hydrangea is a native shrub that can grow up to 2 meters high, and it flowers from late summer until early fall.
These types of shrubs in Mississippi do well in wet soil and prefer partial shade.
Hydrangea quercifolia, also Oakleaf hydrangea, is a flowering shrub that does well in moist, acidic soil and prefers full sun exposure.
15. Bigleaf Gallberry Holly
Bigleaf Gallberry Holly is an evergreen shrub that reaches a height of 6-8 ft and has shiny dark green foliage. It’s native to Mississippi and the Pacific Northwest.
Aquifoliaceae is a genus that includes Bigleaf Gallberry Holly and other plants, such as hollies, ivy, and laurels. The word aquifolium means with leaves like an oak.
16. Winterberry Holly
Winterberry Holly is next on the list of types of shrubs in Mississippi.
Winterberry Holly is a lovely evergreen holly that looks great planted at the edge of the garden.
The shiny green leaves are paired with scarlet berries, making a gorgeous contrast during winter.
These types of shrubs in Mississippi can grow up to 12 feet tall and have an equal spread, so plan on giving it plenty of space.
It can tolerate full sun or partial shade and prefers moist soil conditions.
Deer will eat this plant, so you may need to invest in deer repellant if planting in an area with high deer populations.
17. Star Anise
Star anise is a deciduous shrub that is native to Mississippi and China.
It produces clusters of pink flowers and leaves that are dark green on top and lighter green on the bottom.
These types of shrubs in Mississippi can grow up to 15 feet tall, but it only takes about five years to reach full size.
This plant thrives well in zones 5-9, meaning it can withstand temperatures as cold as minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit and as hot as 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
It prefers full sun but can also thrive with partial sunlight. The best time for planting Star anise is fall or spring when the weather is cooler.
18. Virginia Sweetspire
Virginia Sweetspire, also known as sweetspire or sweet spirea, is a plant that is native to Mississippi and North America.
It grows from four to fifteen feet tall and thrives in moist soil. It has clusters of white flowers with pink centers in the springtime.
The leaves are oval-shaped and light green. Virginia sweetspire can be found in Mississippi and the southeastern United States, where it often grows along streams or wet areas.
This shrub does well as a ground cover for shady locations and needs little watering once established.
19. Arrow-Wood Viburnum
Arrow-wood viburnum, or Viburnum dentatum L., is a type of shrub found in Mississippi and the southern US.
It can grow up to 15 feet high and has blue-green leaves that grow on opposite sides of the stem.
The flowers are white with five petals and grow in clusters at the top of the plant.
Arrow-wood viburnum is commonly used as an ornamental hedge because it withstands heavy traffic and has few pests.
Viburnums are very versatile plants that can be used as specimen plants, accent plants, foundation plantings, screens, or hedges.
They thrive best near water sources but can tolerate drought conditions with a regular watering routine.
20. Elliott’s Blueberry
Elliott’s blueberry is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 10 feet tall and wide.
It has dark green foliage that turns orange-brown in the fall and red berries from July through October.
It’s an attractive shrub for home landscapes because it provides food for wildlife and can be used for privacy hedges, borders, or screens; it also does well in wet areas.
A few common names for Elliott’s blueberry are southern blueberry, black huckleberry, and swamp huckleberry.
21. Tree Huckleberry
Tree Huckleberry (Vaccinium arboreum Marshall) is next on Mississippi’s list of types of shrubs.
The tree huckleberry is native to Mississippi, the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and Eastern North America.
This shrub, up to 9 m tall, is often found at the border of woods and field edges, limestone cliffs, and other rocky outcrops.
The plant produces white flowers with five petals that are often spotted with purple or dark red.
The fruit is a blueberry that grows in clusters that hang from the shrub-like grapes.
22. Ouachita Rose
Ouachita Rose (Rosa arkansana Nutt) is next on the list. These types of shrubs in Mississippi are Native to Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
This deciduous shrub has been planted as an ornamental throughout the United States since 1881.
23. Snowbell
The Snowbell is one of the most popular shrubs in Mississippi and the southern states.
It produces a fragrant, white flower in the late winter through spring, with white fruits attracting birds.
The leaves are shiny and dark green, making them a great plant for shady areas.
This shrub likes well-drained soil, plenty of water, and full sun. It is hardy in zones 6-8.
The Styrax Americana or American Snowbell Tree is a native shrub found all over North America that can grow up to 10 feet tall.
These trees bloom snow-white flowers with a sweet fragrance, followed by an abundance of deep-purple fruits eaten by many different songbirds.
24. Dwarf Palmetto
Dwarf palmetto, or Sabal minor, is a tree native to the Gulf Coast region. It can grow up to 15 feet tall and prefers moist soil.
The dwarf palmetto has a very dense canopy that makes it ideal for blocking out the sun, which can be helpful in hotter climates like Mississippi’s.
In addition, this shrub is resistant to salt water, insects, and diseases.
The dwarf palmetto should be planted with plenty of room between other plants so it has space to grow without branches touching others.
25. Staghorn Suma
Rhus typhina L., commonly known as staghorn sumac, is a deciduous shrub growing into a dense, spreading bush with a beautiful and eye-catching growth habit.
The leaves are opposite, oddly pinnately compound, turning brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall. This makes it an excellent choice for color in the fall months.
26. Rhus Summer Azalea
The summer azalea is one of the most popular types of shrubs in Mississippi.
It grows best in partial shade, has a 3-6 feet height, and produces flowers between March and June.
The flowers are white or pink and have a faint scent. This plant will grow well along fences or on the side of the house that’s not getting much sun.
Rhododendron serrulatum (SM.) Mill., also known as the summer azalea, is a flowering shrub that thrives in partial shade and grows up to 6 feet tall with fragrant white or light pink flowers that bloom from March through June.
These plants do well near fences or on shady sides of buildings where they won’t get too much sun exposure.
27. Honeysuckle Azalea
Honeysuckle azalea is a flowering shrub that is native to Mississippi and the southeastern United States.
It can be found from Virginia southward through the Gulf Coast states.
The plant prefers moist soil, shade, and partial sun. The leaves are opposite on the stem, ovate, and pointed at their tips.
The white and fragrant flowers grow on short branches along the branches.
These types of shrubs in Mississippi will mature at 3-4 feet tall with an equal spread.
28. Rhododendron
Rhododendrons have been popular garden plants for centuries because they are easy to propagate and come in many colors, including pink, red, lavender, purple, or white blooms.
29. Yellow Native Azalea
Yellow Native Azalea, known as Rhododendron austrinum (Sm.), is next on Mississippi’s list of types of shrubs.
Yellow Native azaleas grow from six inches to twelve feet tall, with flowers ranging from white to pink.
The native azalea is susceptible to Dutch elm disease and should be planted away from this tree or other susceptible plants.
Rhododendron austrinum is a deciduous shrub that grows up to about ten feet tall and has white flowers that bloom in March-April.
This plant prefers acidic soil with morning sun and afternoon shade.
30. American Sweet Olive
The American sweet olive is a shrub that can grow up to 15 feet tall.
It has a very fragrant white flower that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
The leaves are shiny, leathery, and green, with oil glands on the underside.
Also, the fruit is a small black or dark purple berry that ripens during late summer.
The berries are edible when cooked but not eaten raw due to their high tannin content.
These types of shrubs in Mississippi prefer warmer climates and grow best in full sun with well-drained soil.
31. Lyonia
Lyonia is a deciduous shrub native to Mississippi and the southeastern United States.
It is a shrub that can grow up to 15 feet tall and 6 feet wide. The leaves are light green, with serrated margins, and alternate along the stem.
Lyonia flowers from late April through May with white flowers that are about 1 inch across. These blooms can last for up to two weeks.
Lyonia is an evergreen that has both male and female plants with separate flowers on each plant. It produces fruits from June through September that are bright red drupes (berries).
The fruit attracts many birds and other wildlife during the fall months. Lyonia grows best in acidic soil, rich in organic matter, but will tolerate alkaline soil and sandy or clay soils.
32. Leucothoe
Leucothoe is a beautiful shrub that thrives in the subtropical environment of Mississippi and South America but will grow well in most other climates.
It can be grown as an evergreen or deciduous shrub, depending on the climate, and is tolerant to both salt and freshwater.
Leucothoe has yellow flowers that bloom from late winter through early summer.
These flowering clusters are fragrant and attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, wasps, flies, and hummingbirds.
The leaves are oval-shaped with serrated edges and grow alternately along the stem.
Leucothea is also known for its showy fall colors, which range from reds, oranges, yellows, and purples. They make beautiful additions to any garden or landscape!
33. Mountain Laurel
Lastly on the list of types of shrubs in Mississippi is Mountain Laurel.
It is a very popular shrub used as an ornamental plant in gardens. It has beautiful purple flowers and distinctive leaves.
The mountain laurel is native to Mississippi and North America and can grow up to 12 feet tall. It prefers partial shade or full sun, depending on where it is planted.
The mountain laurel produces the most flowers when grown with other plants that flower at the same time.
Kalmia latifolia Linnaeus is a species of flowering plant known by many common names, including Mountain Laurel and Sheep Laurel.
Kalmia latifolia Linnaeus belongs to the family Ericaceae.
Conclusion
While there are many different types of shrubs in Mississippi, you may want to consider some popular ones, including dogwood, arborvitae, magnolia, and azalea.
Dogwood shrubs grow best in well-drained soil with good sunlight exposure, while arborvitae shrubs will grow best in full shade and slightly acidic soil with low to moderate moisture levels.
This list will help you decide which of the types of shrubs in Mississippi to choose. Read the article above.
