Tough-as-Nails Shrubs for Your Region

Who doesn’t love buying the flashy new plant that catches everyone’s eye at the nursery? Or the plant that’s just outside your hardiness zone but has always taunted you with fantastic foliage and/or out-of-this-world flowers? Gardeners aren’t ones to always play it safe, but as Richie Steffen mentions in his article on tough perennials, “Planning a garden with unproven plants is risky business and not for those unwilling to take another hit to their wallet.”

And that’s where tough-as-nails, proven performers come in. Taking a gamble on a new plant is a little less risky when it’s paired up with a cast of characters that never disappoint. In Richie’s article, Tough-as-Nails Perennials, he covers the perennial plants that power through a variety of beastly conditions, but there are also countless shrubs that also play this crucial role. Some of these shrubs have evergreen foliage, others bring the flower power, and some even manage to do both. So next time you buy another risky plant, make sure it has a reliable shrub to pair with it.

Find tough-as-nails shrubs for seven different regions of the United States below, and check out Richie’s article to discover more plants that you can rely on.

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Pruning Simplified shows you exactly how to do it. This must-have guide offers expert advice on the best tools for the job, specific details on when to prune, and clear instructions on how to prune. Profiles of the 50 most popular trees and shrubs—including azaleas, camellias, clematis, hydrangeas, and more—include illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions that will ensure you make the right cut the first time.

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You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
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Scotts Cordless Grass-Shear/Shrub-Trimmer Combo

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With a built-in 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery, this little guy weighs less than 2 lb. and can zip through all your minor pruning tasks quickly and easily.
- 13.5 x 3 x 5 inches
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  Midwest Regional Reports

  Tough-as-Nails Shrubs for the Midwest

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  Mountain West Regional Reports

  Tough-as-Nails Shrubs for the Mountain West

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  Northeast Regional Reports

  Tough-as-Nails Shrubs for the Northeast

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  Pacific Northwest Regional Reports

  Tough-as-Nails Shrubs for the Northwest

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  Southeast Regional Reports

  Tough-as-Nails Shrubs for the South

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  Southwest Regional Reports

  Tough-as-Nails Shrubs for the Southern Plains

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  Southwest Regional Reports

  Tough-as-Nails Shrubs for the Southwest