Buying Shrubs For A Home Garden

BUYING SHRUBS

Shrubs, also known as bushes fall in the horticultural category instead of just the botanical category, such as a woody plant like that of a tree. However, while there are similarities, shrubs are lower to the ground with multiple stems. Keep in mind that smaller and lower shrubs to include periwinkle, thyme, and lavender are often referred to as sub-shrubs. Regardless, unlike a tree, shrubs are distinguished by the multiple branches that come from close to the ground, as well as reaching a mature height of 12 feet of less.

Shrubs are a wonderful way to enhance the appearance of your home. You can use flowering shrubs underneath windows in the front of the house to balance out the appearance while also providing beautiful color. If you have a side of the home where grass or other types of plants are difficult to grow, then perhaps one or two shrubs would be the perfect solution to spruce things up. You can also use shrubs as borders around decks, outdoor gardens, or even to provide privacy between neighbors or help reduce traffic noise. The challenge comes in trying to choose since you have so many incredible options, which you are about to discover.

Boxwoods

One of the most popular types of shrubs is Boxwoods. Used for both formal and informal landscapes, Boxwoods are universal. For instance, you might choose an evergreen type with broad leaves, a dwarf variety, which is perfect for edging, of mature Boxwoods that can be shaped. Typically, Boxwoods prefer full sun although some will tolerate some shade. Keep in mind that Boxwoods are prone to root diseases if they sit in wet soil. Therefore, make sure the ground is well drained.

Buddleia

Also called the Butterfly Bush, this type of shrub does in fact draw in butterflies with its colorful flowers and sweet nectar. However, the Buddleia also attracts birds, bees, and other creatures, all vying for a taste of the sweetness. The Black Knight is a beautiful variety that produces a deep purple blossom, Raspberry Wine has magnificent mauve blooms, and the Nanho Blue has deep lilac flowers. These shrubs are easy to grow but tend to be a little wildly so frequent trimming is needed. Additionally, Buddleia requires well-drained soil, as well as full sun to partial shade.

Dogwood

You cannot help but love the Dogwood shrub. The spring blossoms are simply stunning, just as is the fall foliage. The Dogwood makes an excellent choice for building a privacy fence, bordering a specific area of the property, or even as a stand-alone bush hogging the highlight. Two of the most beautiful varieties include the Bailey, producing creamy white flowers, blue fruit, and red stems during the winter, and the Cardinal, which has vibrant coral stems in the winter months. The best time to plant the Dogwood is during early fall and spring, allowing the shrub ample time to establish itself before the weather turns cold or hot.

Forsythia

The colorful blooms of the springtime Forsythia are gorgeous. The branches are covered with blossoms, literally from the base of the shrub all the way to the tip of each branch. These shrubs can grow anywhere from one to eight feet tall, depending on the variety. Whether used as an informal hedge or highlighted planting, this is a magnificent choice.

For instance, the Fiesta Forsythia boasts gold blooms with gold, cream, and dark green foliage while the Spring Glory typically produces lemon blooms. If you want to encourage new growth on this type of shrub, pruning can help. The key is to prune on the current year’s growth and immediately after flowering is complete. Be sure you cut most of the older branches down to the ground and only the newer branches to keep the shrub clean and orderly.

Hibiscus

The Hibiscus is a tropical plant that is exotic and romantic. The flowers bloom in mid-summer, producing large, unique blooms. You will find this type of shrub offers so many wonderful varieties such as the Helene, which produces solid white flowers with a maroon eye or the Blue Bird, a gorgeous azure blue with a small red eye. This shrub is multi-stemmed but with pruning, it can be trained to have one primary trunk, which will ultimately produce more of a tree-like shrub.

Holly

The Holly shrub provides both evergreen and deciduous choices. Best known for the miniature red berries, Holly is often associated with the Christmas holidays. This particular shrub tolerates both sun and shade quite well although in extremely hot climates, some shade is preferred. To maintain the size of shrub you want, you can prune the Holly early in the spring.

Hydrangea

This shrub is extremely hardy and it looks sensational. Most Hydrangea will begin to flower in early summer all the way to the first frost. The blooms are simply beautiful with colors of red, pink, white, blue, and purple, depending on the variety chosen. Top choices include the Limelight, which produces creamy white flowers that actually turn to a lime green, thus the color, and the Annabelle, which features dark green foliage with a white border. The blooms of the Hydrangea can easily reach up to 12 inches across. Regardless of the variety, they are stunning.



Although you will need to learn about proper care specific to the type of shrub you buy, most are cared for much the same as trees. Shrubs add character, shape, and color to a garden, front yard, or backyard area, which can create charm and sophistication. The advantage to choosing shrubbery is that they will mature quickly while staying hardy and living as long as trees.