TL;DR
- Shrubs function as solid barriers unlike walk-through flowers and bloom only during specific seasons
- Leif offers six shrub types with 11 color variations that cannot be crossbred for new colors
- Plant shrubs using the same method as trees and flowers – no watering required for growth
- Strategic shrub placement enhances island aesthetics while creating natural pathways and boundaries
- Seasonal timing is critical – plant 4-5 days before bloom season for optimal display
Mastering shrub mechanics in Animal Crossing: New Horizons requires understanding their unique properties compared to traditional flowers. These botanical additions bring new landscaping possibilities to your island paradise.
With the significant April 23 update, Animal Crossing: New Horizons welcomed Leif, the dedicated gardening sloth merchant. This friendly vendor makes periodic visits to your island plaza, offering exclusive flower seeds alongside the newly introduced shrub starters. While shrubs produce beautiful blooms similar to flowers, their underlying mechanics differ substantially from the floral varieties you’ve previously cultivated. We’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to ensure you maximize your shrub landscaping potential.
Although Leif’s introduction coincided with the Nature Day celebration, shrubs remain available beyond this limited event. He joins the rotation of special visitors who may appear on your island throughout the year, so maintain regular plaza checks. For advanced floral techniques, our complete hybrid flower breeding guide provides extensive crossbreeding strategies.
Shrubs in New Horizons produce seasonal blossoms featuring varieties like azaleas and hydrangeas, but they operate fundamentally differently from standard flowers. Unlike permeable flower plants that characters can traverse, shrubs create solid obstacles that block movement. Their seasonal nature means they only display flowers during specific months; during off-seasons, they revert to basic leafy bushes without blossoms.
Planting shrubs follows the familiar process used for flowers and saplings: Position yourself on the desired planting spot, access your inventory, choose the shrub starter, and select the plant command. No watering is necessary for shrub development. The starters purchased from Leif require several days to reach maturity, similar to other plants. If planted during their blooming season, shrubs will flower upon reaching full growth.
Unlike flowers—which enable crossbreeding to produce new color variations—shrubs lack crossbreeding capabilities. In this mechanical aspect, they resemble trees more closely than conventional flowers.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons currently features six distinct shrub types, with color variations bringing the total to 11 unique appearances. This botanical collection enables diverse landscaping designs across your island.
The available shrub varieties include:
- Azalea Shrubs: Available in white and pink variations, these spring-blooming shrubs create vibrant seasonal displays
- Hydrangea Shrubs: Featuring blue and pink blooms, these summer-flowering plants add lush texture to garden areas
- Hibiscus Shrubs: Tropical options in red and yellow that evoke island resort aesthetics
- Tea Olive Shrubs: Offering orange and yellow varieties with delicate, fragrant blossoms
- Camellia Shrubs: Presenting pink and red options with elegant, waxy leaves
- Holly Shrubs: Winter-specific with red berries and dark green foliage for seasonal decoration
- Dogwood Shrubs: Spring bloomers with pink and green flowers that complement natural landscapes
When planning your island layout strategy, consider that each shrub type serves specific aesthetic purposes. Azaleas work beautifully near residential areas, while hydrangeas create stunning borders along pathways and rivers.
Shrubs differ fundamentally from flowers and trees through their exclusive seasonal blooming patterns. This means specific shrubs only display flowers during predetermined periods of the year. Currently in the Northern Hemisphere, azalea shrubs are seasonally appropriate and will bloom when fully matured.
We’re continuously documenting each shrub variety’s exact blooming schedule, but based on data from Animal Crossing: New Leaf, we can project approximate seasonal timelines. This list will receive regular updates as we verify each shrub’s specific seasonal windows and precise date ranges. Remember that seasonal timing correlates with your hemisphere location, meaning azaleas function as spring shrubs regardless of whether you’re in Northern or Southern hemispheres.
- Hydrangea: Early summer blooming period
- Azalea: Spring flowering season across both hemispheres
- Hibiscus: Summer blooms ideal for tropical-themed areas
- Holly: Exclusive winter decoration with festive berry displays
- Camellia: Late winter to early spring flowering pattern
- Dogwood: Spring blooming with delicate flower clusters
- Tea Olive: Autumn flowering with subtle fragrant blossoms
Strategic shrub planting requires understanding these seasonal patterns. For comprehensive island development guidance, consult our complete New Horizons strategy guide for additional landscaping techniques.
Pro Tip: Plant shrubs 4-5 days before their bloom season begins. This ensures they reach full maturity precisely as flowering commences, maximizing your seasonal display impact. Avoid the common mistake of planting off-season shrubs expecting immediate blooms—they’ll remain leafy until their designated season arrives.
Action Checklist
- Check island plaza regularly for Leif’s visits to purchase shrub starters
- Plan shrub placements to create natural pathways and boundary markers
- Plant seasonal shrubs 4-5 days before their bloom period begins
- Coordinate shrub varieties by season for year-round floral displays
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Animal Crossing: New Horizons Shrubs — How To Get, How To Plant, All Types Master shrub mechanics in Animal Crossing: New Horizons with seasonal planting strategies and expert landscaping tips