Green Rabbitbrush
Flowering: Yellow flowers in late summer/fall
Size: 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide
Maintenance: Very low; drought-tolerant
Boise Area Flowering Shrubs
Low-maintenance shrubs for Idaho gardens
Butterfly Bush
Flowering: Purple, pink, or white blooms in summer
Size: 3-5 ft tall
Maintenance: Low; thrives in sunny, dry conditions
Barberry
Flowering: Small yellow flowers in spring
Size: 2-3 ft tall (Crimson Pygmy)
Maintenance: Low; drought-tolerant, has thorns
Rock Daphne
Flowering: Pink fragrant blooms in early spring
Size: 1 ft tall, 3 ft wide
Maintenance: Low; prefers part shade
Forsythia
Flowering: Yellow flowers in early spring
Size: 3-6 ft tall and wide
Maintenance: Low; prune after blooming
Japanese Holly
Flowering: White flowers in spring, waxy green leaves
Size: 6-8 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide
Maintenance: Low; minimal pruning needed
Mock Orange
Flowering: White fragrant flowers in late spring
Size: 3-6 ft tall and wide
Maintenance: Low; occasional pruning needed
Small Flowering Trees (7-20 ft)
Serviceberry
Flowering: Brilliant white flowers in April-May
Size: 10-15 ft tall
Maintenance: Very low; native Idaho plant, orange-red fall color
Eastern Redbud
Flowering: Purple-pink flowers on bare stems in early spring
Size: 15-20 ft tall
Maintenance: Low; striking heart-shaped foliage
Flowering Crabapple
Flowering: Pink or white spring blossoms
Size: 12-20 ft tall depending on variety
Maintenance: Low; disease-resistant varieties available
Thundercloud Plum
Flowering: Porcelain-pink flowers in spring
Size: 15-20 ft tall and wide
Maintenance: Low; deep purple-burgundy foliage
Mountain Ash
Flowering: White clusters in spring, orange-red berries
Size: 20 ft tall
Maintenance: Very low; very cold-hardy, attracts birds
Flowering Dogwood
Flowering: White or pink bracts in spring
Size: 15-20 ft tall
Maintenance: Low; beautiful fall color and winter berries