JAN RIGGENBACH Shrubs growing as container plants

If you’re looking for something different to fill a container or two, don’t overlook shrubs.

Reported to be the latest hot trend, shrubs are earning respect as container plantings for many different reasons. Here are a few: There are now many smaller varieties on the market sized just right for large containers. You can buy one plant per container and be done. If you choose a shrub with an extra-long bloom time and/or colorful foliage, you can get many months of beauty out of a single planting.

If you can roll your container into the garage or other protective place for the winter, you can enjoy growing a shrub that wouldn’t survive the winter outdoors. Deer and rabbits are less likely to feast on a shrub growing in a container on your porch or deck.

Even if you have no yard at all, you can still enjoy growing shrubs in containers.

There are many shrubs ideal for container gardening. Here is a sampling, in no particular order:

■ Compact varieties of panicle hydrangeas (H. paniculata). Bobo has pure white flowers. Little Quick Fire has white flowers that age to burgundyred early in the season. Give either one morning sun, afternoon shade and consistently moist soil.

■ Concorde barberry

(Berberis thunbergii ). This dwarf globe-shaped shrub has deep purple, velvety foliage, accented by red new growth. Grow it in full sun; it can take the heat. While some barberries are known for promiscuous reseeding, Concord produces few if any seeds.

■ Dwarf butterfly bush ( Buddleia). The Lo & Behold series is sized just right for containers. Plants bloom from midsummer to frost, attracting butterflies to the blue, purple, pink or white flowers. Sterile plants require no deadheading and produce no invasive seedlings. Grow butterfly bush in full sun.

■ Lemony Lace elderberry (Sambucus). More compact than most elderberries, it has shiny gold cut-leaf foliage. Grow it in full sun or part shade. Elderberries are undemanding.

■ Little Henry sweetspire (Itea virginica). This compact native plant starts off with fragrant white flowers that attract butterflies in early summer. It ends the growing season with superb autumn color. You can grow it in sun or shade.

■ Bluebeard (Caryopteris). Choose a variety named Beyond Midnight for dark glossy foliage, or Lil’ Miss Sunshine for shiny yellow leaves. Either shrub shows off in a sunny container with blue flowers that attract butterflies in late summer.

■ Fine Wine weigela (W. florida). Expect darkburgundy foliage, trumpet-shaped pink flowers and visiting hummingbirds when you plant this compact sun-lover. Write Jan Riggenbach at 2319 S. 105th Ave., Omaha, NE 68124. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you’d like a personal reply, or visit midwest gardening.com.