Shrubs
Shrubs are woody plants that have multiple stems, usually shorter than trees at no taller than 15 feet (about 4.5 meters). In gardening, a shrub is more or less the same thing as a bush. There is a wide variety of shrubs, with different sizes, textures, and colors. Shrubs can have berries, flowers, and colorful leaves, and can be coniferous (evergreen) or deciduous (losing leaves, usually with a change in seasons). Shrubs provide many uses in gardens, such as: structuring and framing; adding privacy; providing shade; creating a backdrop; and adding color to a garden.
On average, shrubs usually last about 10-15 years (which makes most shrubs perennials), but it depends significantly on care. Care itself depends on the kind of shrub you are buying. Different kinds of shrubs also require different levels of maintenance. Like with other plants, before you purchase or choose any shrubs, make sure you consider the following:
- Your area’s plant hardiness zone
- How much light your garden receives
- How much light your shrubs of choice will need (full sun, partial sun, partial shade, or full shade)
- How much water your shrubs will need
- What kind of soil your shrubs prefer
If you’re interested in adding shrubs to your garden, check out our other pages for more information on specific shrubs, and see if there’s any that suit your taste!
