18 wild bushes for natural gardens and hedges

Wild shrubs are an important design element for natural gardens. Different types and their needs are presented here. They are also suitable for planting a hedge, which is suitable, for example, as a breeding ground for birds.

Wild bushes for natural gardens from A to G

Chokeberry (aronia) - edible

The chokeberry is often grafted on trunks, but in the wild it grows as a low shrub. In the natural garden it is suitable as food for birds that like to eat the black berries. In autumn the aronia develops attractive reddish foliage.

• Size: 1 - 2 m high
• Location: no special requirements, rather sunny
• Flowers: white, late April to May
• Care:
  • undemanding, little fertilization and watering
  • Propagation via runners or self-sowing

Real Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) - poisonous

The sea buckthorn is the only barberry native to Germany. Since these shrubs are hosts of the grain rust, they have been almost exterminated. With their red berries, they are an attractive addition to natural gardens.

• Size: small to medium-sized shrub
• Location: undemanding in relation to the soil, sunny or partially shaded
• Flower: yellow, May to June
• Care:
  • Mulch replaces additional watering and fertilizing
  • Propagation via cuttings

Common wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) - edible

These shrubs are also known as goji berries, and the dried berries are available for purchase in organic stores. They are considered a superfood. Planting time is in spring.

• Size: 2 - 4 m in height and width
• Demands: well drained soil, sunny
• Flower: purple, June to August
• Care:
  • water in case of dryness
  • fertilize with compost in spring
  • Propagation via runners

Note: The wolfberry is very likely to spread, if this is not desired, a root barrier must be buried.

Common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) - inedible to poisonous

The snowberry is known under the name Knallerbsenstrauch. The plant originally comes from North America and was used as an ornamental shrub in Germany. In the meantime, however, there are also specimens that have gone wild.

• Size: 1 - 2 m high
• Demands: sunny, otherwise undemanding, does not like waterlogging
• Flowers: white and pink, June to September
• Care:
  • No fertilizer or irrigation necessary
  • Mulch layer in the root area makes sense
  • Propagation via seeds and runners is spread by birds

Gorse (Genista) - poisonous

Gorse species are either shrubs or subshrubs and develop a long taproot, making them difficult to replant later.

• Size: 50 cm to 2 m high
• Location: no waterlogging, as sunny as possible
• Flowers: yellow butterfly flowers, May to July
• Care:
  • water and fertilize little
  • too much fertilizer puts flowers at a disadvantage compared to leaf growth
  • Propagation via seeds and cuttings

From H to L

Dogwood (Cornus) - poisonous

The wild dogwood species in Germany include the cornel and blood-red dogwood.

• Size: 1.5 to 5 m tall or small tree (cornel cherry)
• Location: sunny, nutrient-rich soil, preferably loamy
• Flower: yellow, May to July
• Care:
  • do not let it dry out, avoid waterlogging
  • now and then fertilize, mulch
  • Propagation via seeds and cuttings

Note: The blood-red dogwood gets its name from its red shoots. So that you don't have to do without this beautiful color, the shrub is regularly planted on the cane.

Hazelnut bush (Corylus avellana) - edible

There are many cultivars of the hazelnut that are very productive and are more likely to be useful plants. However, the hazel is also justified in natural gardens, as it can be a retreat for a wide variety of animals.

• Size: 5 to 6 m high
• Location: for rich yield humus and nutrient-rich soil, sunny location
• Blossom: inconspicuous, winter and early spring
• Care:
  • water in case of prolonged drought
  • fertilize with compost in spring
  • Propagation by subsidence

Honeysuckle (Lonicera) - poisonous

Several species of the honeysuckle are native to Germany. Including the black and the red honeysuckle. These shrubs are suitable for hedges in natural gardens.

• Size: 1 to 3 m high and wide
• Demands: sunny location, permeable soil, otherwise undemanding
• Blossom: yellowish-white, also a little red in color, May to June
• Care:
  • water in case of prolonged drought
  • fertilize with organic matter in spring
  • Propagation via cuttings

liguster (Ligustrum vulgare) - poisonous

These shrubs are particularly good for hedges. They grow densely and are well tolerated by pruning. Planting time is in autumn or spring.

• Size: 1 to 5 m, in hedges depending on the cutting height
• Demands: Hardly any demands on the soil, sunny to partially shaded location
• Flowers: white, June to July
• Care:
  • does not have to be watered even in dry conditions
  • fertilize organically in spring
  • Propagation by self-sowing or cuttings

From P to S

Pfaffenkäppchen,Common euonymus (Euonymus europaeus) - poisonous

The fruits of these shrubs give them their name, they are very conspicuous and brightly red in color. The reddish autumn leaves are just as striking.

• Size: 2 - 6 m high
• Demands: quite undemanding compared to the ground, sunny location
• Flowers: white to yellow, maize to June
• Care:
  • easy to care for, water in extremely dry conditions
  • Mulching protects the soil area from drying out and supplies nutrients
  • Propagation via seeds

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) - edible

The fruits of the sea buckthorn are known for their high vitamin C content. They are processed into jam or puree. The shrub spreads very aggressively without a root barrier, which should be taken into account when planting.

• Size: 4 - 5 m high, a little less wide
• Requirements: sunny, deep soil, not compacted
• Flower: yellow, March to May
• Care:
  • for a rich harvest put several females with one male plant
  • watering and fertilizing are not necessary
  • Propagation via offshoots

Snake berry, common viburnum (Viburnum opulus) - poisonous

The snowball is considered an ornamental shrub, but can also be found wild in Germany and is therefore suitable for natural gardens. The red berries should be edible when ripe, but caution is advised because this opinion is not unanimous.

• Size: 1.5 - 6 m high
• Demands: sunny, but also shady, well-drained, not too dry soil
• Flowers: white, April to June
• Care:
  • does not have to be specially fertilized, a layer of mulch in the root area is sufficient
  • no watering required
  • Propagation via cuttings

Sloe (Prunus spinosa) - edible

These shrubs are also called blackthorn or sour plum. The fruits are edible after the first frost, but should be cooked. In order to prevent uncontrolled spreading, a root barrier must be planned. Planting time is in autumn.

• Size: up to 3 m high, growing strongly in width due to root runners
• Demands: sunny, warm, nutrient-rich soil
• Flowers: white, March to April
• Care:
  • does not have to be fertilized or watered
  • Propagation via root runners
  • too many runners are removed

Black elder (Sambucus nigra) - edible

Many parts of the elderberry plant are poisonous. The berries are also only edible after they have been cooked. The flowers can be made into syrup.

• Size: up to 7 m high
• Demands: mostly sunny, but also shady, nutrient-rich soil
• Flower: white, May
• Care:
  • water only when it is dry
  • Pruning keeps the shrub young
  • Propagated by seeds, spreads quickly by birds

Buddleia (Buddleja) - not edible, but non-toxic

The butterfly lilac is a common ornamental plant that is noticeable because it is very popular with Butterflies is. Besides butterflies, it is also approached by bees and bumblebees. It originally comes from Asia, but is also increasingly feral in Germany. The best time to plant is in spring.

• Size: 1.5 - 4 m high
• Demands: sunny, largely undemanding in terms of the soil
• Flowers: white, pink, purple, from July until frost
• Care:
  • fertilization and watering are not necessary
  • Winter protection improves winter hardiness
  • Propagation by self-sowing or cuttings

Wild shrubs for natural gardens with W

Willow (Salix) - not edible, but non-toxic

Willows are mostly trees, but there are also small species that grow like a bush. They are very fast-growing and are well suited for design purposes in natural gardens. In this way, small arbors can be easily "built" from living willow. Pastures are very early bee pastures.

• Size: several meters
• Demands: adaptable, soil not too dry
• Flowers: greenish colored catkins on female, yellowish on male, from March
• Care:
  • water in case of drought
  • fertilize annually in spring
  • Propagation via cuttings

Hawthorn (Crataegus) - edible

In Germany the single and double flute hawthorn are native. The berries are edible, even raw, and are often made into jam or compote. If the fruits are not harvested, birds will be happy to eat them. The red-backed shrike uses the long thorns to spear captured food animals.

• Size: 5 - 7 m high
• Demands: any type of soil is tolerated, a sunny location preferred
• Flowers: white or pink, May to June
• Care:
  • watering and fertilizing are not necessary
  • Propagation via seeds and cuttings

Wild roses (pink) - edible

Edel- and bed roses can be found in almost every ornamental garden. Their wild relatives can be found in the great outdoors. Underneath Potato roses or the dog rose. They can form dense, thorny scrub and are therefore suitable for hedges that are supposed to offer some protection.

• Size: one to several meters high, depending on the species
• Demands: sunny to partially shaded, all types of soil
• Flowers: white, pink or yellowish, May to June
• Care:
  • Easy to care for, if dry, water it if necessary
  • Mulching replaces fertilization
  • Propagation via seeds or subsidence

Note: Without pruning, roses can grow extensively. The long tendrils can be tied to climbing aids.

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