Information About General Shrub Care

There are numerous types of shrubs for the landscape. They range in size from the smaller forms to the larger tree-like varieties. Some are evergreen shrubs and some deciduous. Shrubs in the landscape have just as many uses too. That’s why it’s important to arm yourself with the proper shrub plant care, and the following articles can help with that. Read on to learn about growing shrubs.

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10 Best Flowering Bushes For Big, Showy Blooms

By Teo Spengler

Looking for a flowering shrub to add to your landscape? Check out our list of ten of the most beautiful blooming bushes.

4 Common Shrub Mistakes To Avoid

By Teo Spengler

What are some of the most common shrub landscaping mistakes a gardener can make and how can you avoid them? Click here for our top 4.

Best Short Bushes For Erosion Control

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Erosion is a serious problem that can be solved with the right plants. Read about some low-growing shrubs that can help with erosion control.

Super Hardy Shrubs And Trees For Northern Climates

By Teo Spengler

What are the most cold hardy shrubs and trees for northern climates? Click here to find out.

Flowering Shrubs That Like Full Sun And Heat

By Teo Spengler

Some types of flowering shrubs love full sun and summer heat. Read on for full sun shrub suggestions.

Types Of Shrubs With Purple Leaves

By Teo Spengler

In a garden full of greens and pastels, many gardeners use purple bushes and shrubs for a touch of drama. Here are our favorites.

Flowering Shrubs That Are Deer Resistant

By Teo Spengler

There is almost nothing a deer will not eat if it is hungry enough, but some plants are better than others. Read on for information on flowering deer resistant shrubs.

Blooming Invasive Bushes To Avoid

By Mary Ellen Ellis

When it comes to pretty flowers on honeysuckle, scotch broom, and butterfly bush, invasiveness hasn’t always mattered. Today, gardeners know better.

Easy To Care For Flowering Bushes

By Teo Spengler

Flowering shrubs are a joy in the landscape, but many gardeners worry about maintenance. Read on for ideas on easy care flowering bushes.

Pretty Purple Flowering Shrubs

By Teo Spengler

All flowering shrubs add interest and color to the garden, so why not pick purple? Here are our top recommendations.

Yellow Flowering Shrubs For Any Yard

By Teo Spengler

If you are just putting in your shrubs, you’ll have more than a few excellent choices for shrubs with yellow spring flowers. Read on for good recommendations.

Shrubs For Shady, Wet Yards: Shrubs That Like Shade And Wet Soil

By Teo Spengler

There are shrubs that like wet soil and tolerate light shade, even if they aren’t exactly shade loving shrubs. Read on for more.

10 Showy Pink Flowering Shrubs: Choosing A Bright Pink Flowering Bush

By Teo Spengler

You can find a plant with pastel pink blossoms, but why would you when a bright pink flowering bush could go in the same spot? If you’re tickled pink by the very idea, here are 10 great choices.

Shrubs With Showy White Flowers – Best Bushes For White Blossoms

By Teo Spengler

Whether you are looking to plant one bush with white flowers or several, it helps to have a shortlist of candidates. Click here for some ideas.

Two Types Of Evergreen Christmas Bush – How To Grow Christmas Bushes

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Evergreen plants are the last signs of life in the winter months. There are two excellent options, both called Christmas bush plant, that will lend your garden that all important greenery. Read on for more.

What Is Four-Winged Saltbush – Four-Winged Saltbush Characteristics

By Mary Ellen Ellis

Four-winged - or fourwing - saltbush is a truly unique plant native to much of the western U.S. Read on for more.

Deciduous Shrub Varieties – Identifying Deciduous Shrubs

By Teo Spengler

If you are interested in growing deciduous shrubs, it’s helpful to have a few in mind before you begin shopping. Read on for a short list of deciduous shrubs that are hard to resist.

Full Sun Shrubs And Bushes – List Of Full Sun Shrubs

By Teo Spengler

What shrubs do well in full sun? There are more than a few. Here is a short list of full sun shrubs that are well worth your consideration.

Manzanita Care Guide – Growing A Manzanita Tree

By Mary Ellen Ellis

Manzanita is a striking plant with rich, mahogany colored bark and evergreen leaves native to northern California. Click here to learn more.

Bladder Senna Info – Tips For Growing A Bladder Senna Bush

By Teo Spengler

Whoever gave this shrub its common name – bladder senna - didn’t do it any favors. Read on for more bladder senna information.

Flannel Bush Care – How To Grow A Flannel Bush Plant

By Mary Ellen Ellis

Given the right growing conditions, your flannel bush will reward you with quick growth and beautiful spring flowers. Click to learn more.

Best Topiary Shrubs – Choosing Shrub Topiary Varieties

By Teo Spengler

If you are thinking about dipping your toes in the topiary water, you’ll want to select shrub varieties that are easy to shape. Read on to learn about the best topiary shrubs.

Low Maintenance Shrubs – Easy To Grow Shrubs For New Gardeners

By Teo Spengler

Here are some tips for choosing shrubs for easy landscaping as well as a short list of some of our favorites.

What Is Silver Spike Grass – Growing Helichrysum Silver Spike Grass

By Becca Badgett, Co-author of How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden

Native to the Himalayas and the Mediterranean, Helichrysum silver spike grows wild there, and grows readily in dry areas of the U.S. Read on for more.

Gilliesii Bird Of Paradise – Growing A Yellow Bird Of Paradise Shrub

By Teo Spengler

What is a bird of paradise shrub? The yellow bird of paradise shrub is an evergreen shrub with beautiful flowers. Click here to learn more.

Flowering Shrubs And Bushes – Types Of Flowering Shrubs

By Teo Spengler

Many flowering bushes and shrubs rely on their showy blossoms to capture all eyes. Not all flowering shrub varieties are up to the job though, so don’t just grab and go at the garden store. Instead, use the flowering shrubs list below that includes many of our very favorite selections.

What Is Bitter Leaf – Learn About Vernonia Bitter Leaf Plant Care

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

What is bitter leaf? It is a shrub of African origin that has uses as a pesticide, timber tree, food, medicine, and its blooms produce a light colored honey. Read on to learn more about it.

Clay Soil Shrubs: Are There Shrubs That Like Clay Soil Sites

By Teo Spengler

Most shrubs grow better in light, well-draining soil than in heavy clay. Click here for tips on amending clay soil or finding shrubs for such sites.

Old-Fashioned Shrubs – Memorable Bushes For Old-Time Gardens

By Teo Spengler

To select bushes for old-time gardens, choose those you remember from grandma’s or click here for a short list of favorites.

Wetland Shrub Plants – How To Grow Shrubs In Wetlands

By Mary Ellen Ellis

For wetland areas in your garden, you may need some ideas on what will thrive in soggy ground. Click here to learn about wetland shrubs to try.

Full Sun Evergreens: Growing Sun Loving Evergreen Plants

By Teo Spengler

Want some evergreens for full sun sites? You’ve come to the right place. Here are a few sun-loving evergreen plants to consider for backyard landscaping.

What Is A Pre-Formed Hedge: Learn About Instant Hedge Plants

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

If you’re an impatient gardener dreaming of the perfect hedge and don't want to wait for it to mature and fill in, an instant hedge may be the solution for you. In only a few hours, you can be rewarded with a gratifying pre-formed hedge. For more information, click here.

Cottage Garden Bushes: Choosing Shrubs For A Cottage Garden

By Teo Spengler

If you are charmed by the bright, carefree look and appeal of an English cottage garden, maybe it’s time to create one of your own. First, you’ll need to select some cottage garden shrubs. For the best ideas on shrub varieties, click the following article.

Gravel Garden Shrubs – Planting Shrubs In Rocky Soil

By Teo Spengler

Not every backyard is the same and not all have the rich, organic soil preferred by many plants. What if your soil is mostly gravel? Can you still have a nice garden? For great ideas on gravel garden shrubs, click the following article.

Types Of Hedging: Information About Plants Used For Hedges

By Teo Spengler

Hedges do the work of fences or walls in a garden or yard, but they are cheaper than the hardscape. But what hedge plants to choose? Plants used for hedges should be chosen to fulfill the purpose of the hedge, so clarify your intentions before you decide. Learn more here.

Cold Hardy Shrubs – Popular Shrubs With Winter Interest

By Teo Spengler

shrubs look great in spring, but what about shrubs for winter? These don’t have to be evergreens to be ornamental in the colder months. Click on the following article to learn more information on winter shrubs for the garden.

Training Standard Plants – How Can You Make A Plant Into A Standard

By Teo Spengler

In the realm of gardening, a "standard" is a plant with a bare trunk and a rounded canopy, like a lollipop. You can buy standard plants, but they are very expensive. However, it's fun to start training standard plants yourself. This article will help get you started.

What Makes A Standard Plant: Learn About Standard Plant Features

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

A standard plant features a woody trunk and is more or less a tree-like form of a trained plant. It may be a tree, but it can also be a more herbaceous specimen that has been meticulously manicured to resemble a single stemmed plant. Learn more in this article.

Woody Perennial Information: What Makes A Perennial Woody

By Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer

Most plants are categorized into two general types: either perennial or annual. Perennials are those that live for two years or more, and there are two types of perennials - herbaceous perennials and woody perennials. Click here for basic woody perennial information.

Managing Large Shrubs – Learn How To Trim An Overgrown Shrub

By Teo Spengler

If you move into a new home and find the backyard filled with badly overgrown shrubs, it's time to learn about rejuvenating shrubs with pruning. Click this article for information about managing large shrubs and tips on how to trim an overgrown shrub.

Dwarf Shrubs For Gardens – Choosing Bushes For Small Spaces

By Teo Spengler

When you are looking for bushes that are small, think dwarf shrubs. If you are a gardener who needs dwarf shrubs for gardens or backyards, you've come to the right place. Click this article for tips on choosing bushes for small spaces.

Best Fragrant Shrubs – Learn About Shrubs That Smell Good

By Teo Spengler

Planting fragrant shrubs adds a new and delightful dimension to your garden. If you are thinking of adding fragrant flowering shrubs to your backyard, you?ll be interested in learning about the best fragrant shrubs to select. This article will help.

Fast Growing Evergreen Shrubs – Best Evergreen Shrubs For Privacy

By Teo Spengler

Looking to shield your garden from prying eyes? You'll want shrubs that grow in thick and grow in fast. Click here for more.

Best Times For Transplanting: When Is A Good Time To Transplant In The Garden

By Teo Spengler

Transplanting isn't easy on a tree or shrub (or any plant), so it's important to select the optimal time to dig it out. When is a good time to transplant? Opinions differ on the best times for transplanting. Here are some tips to help.

Shrubs Damaged By Snow: Fixing Winter Damage To Evergreens

By Karen Boness, Owner of Wild Willow Landscape Design

After heavy storms, you may see a significant buildup of snow bending over evergreen branches. Has the snow and ice caused winter damage to evergreens? Learn more about evergreen snow damage in this article.

Wildlife Gardening: Learn About Trees And Shrubs With Winter Berries

By Teo Spengler

Birdfeeders are not the best way to help wild birds survive the winter. Planting trees and shrubs with winter berries is the better idea. Click this article to get more information about winter berry plants for wildlife.

Winter Blooming Plants: Growing Winter Flowering Plants And Bushes

By Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer

Understory Planting Tips: Information On Using Understory Plants In The Garden

By Teo Spengler

You create a woodland garden by planting layers of vegetation, in the same way it grows in the wild. Trees are the tallest specimens. Underneath grows the understory level of smaller trees and shrubs. This article provides understory planting tips.

Defensive Shrubs For Landscaping: Tips For Using Shrubs With Thorns

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Who needs home security when you can plant for home protection? Wicked thorns, scratching spines, pointed leaves and serrated foliar edges can cause would-be robbers more trouble than it might be worth to break into your home. Click here for more info.

Evergreen Garden Shrubs – What Are Some Bushes That Stay Green All Year

By Nikki Tilley, Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden

Adding evergreen shrubs to the landscape can provide year-round interest. Unlike the majority of evergreen trees, however, these shrubs include many small- to medium-leaf varieties in addition to the needle-leaf types. Learn more in this article.

Pruning A Shrub Into A Tree: Learn How To Prune Shrubs Into Trees

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

You can transform that mundane shrub into a single stemmed plant in most cases by pruning a shrub into a tree. All you need is a little know how and some proper pruning techniques to learn how to turn a shrub into a small tree. This article will help.

Winter Damage Of Shrubs: Types Of Cold Injury In Shrubs

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

The severity of winter damage of shrubs varies by species, location, duration of exposure and the fluctuation of temperature. Treating cold damage in shrubs should not be done until spring when you can truly assess the plant's recovery. This article will help.

Evergreen Winter Damage: What To Do For Cold Injury In Evergreens

By Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer

Evergreens are hardy plants that remain green and attractive even during the deepest depths of winter. However, even these tough guys can feel the effects of winter chill. Read this article for information on winter damage of evergreen shrubs.

Leafing Out Issues: What To Do For A Shrub Without Leaves

By Jackie Carroll

If your bushes leaf out late, then you may be wondering what the reason is. Shrubs not leafing out as expected may indicate a serious problem or no problem at all. Learn to tell the difference in this article.

Gardening With Hedges: Planting & Care of Landscaping Hedges

By Jackie Carroll

From marking your property to protecting your privacy, hedges serve many purposes in the landscape. Read this article to learn more about using and caring for landscape hedges.

What Are Thinning Cuts: How To Employ Thinning Cuts On Trees Or Shrubs

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Pruning trees and shrubs is an important part of their maintenance. The proper cutting implements and techniques are crucial too. This article discusses thinning cuts.

Winter Bloom Forcing: Tips On Forcing Shrubs To Bloom In Winter

By Jackie Carroll

If gloomy winter days have you down, why not brighten them instead by forcing flowering shrub branches into bloom? Get started by reading this article and soon you will be rewarded with new growth and color.

Heading Cuts In Pruning: Learn About Heading Back Plant Branches

By Jackie Carroll

For most pruning jobs you will use the two main types of pruning cuts: heading cuts and thinning cuts. Learn more about heading back plant branches in this article.

What Is Rejuvenation Pruning: Tips For Hard Pruning Plants

By Jackie Carroll

Most shrubs need annual pruning to keep them from overgrowing their surroundings and developing thick, unproductive branches. Read this article for tips on rejuvenation pruning of plants.

Wood Pruning Methods: What Is Old Wood And New Wood In Pruning

By Susan Patterson, Master Gardener

Keeping shrubs and small trees healthy is vital. But how does one distinguish between old and new wood when pruning? Read this article to find out so you can prune your shrubs and trees properly.

Planting Near Your Home: Foundation Plants For The Front Yard

By Nikki Tilley, Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden

Choosing a good foundation plant is an important aspect of landscape design. The right foundation plant can add to the value of your home, whereas the wrong one can take away from it. Click here for more information on what to plant near your home.

Variegated Shrubs For Your Landscape

By Nikki Tilley, Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden

While oftentimes the result of a mutation or virus in nature, many variegated shrubs are now bred for their exceptional foliage. These plants are great for adding interest and color to landscapes. Learn more here.

Evergreen Shrubs: What To Plant Between The Sidewalk And Street

By Heather Rhoades

Those who have wondered "how does road salt affect plant growth?" only need to see a street side plant in spring to know. Read this article for tips on evergreen shrubs to plant along roadsides.

Potted Shrubs: Growing Shrubs In Containers

By Nikki Tilley, Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden

Growing shrubs in pots has its advantages, and many types of shrubs can successfully be grown in containers. Learn more about suitable shrubs for pots and their care in this article.

Shade-Loving Shrubs

By Nikki Tilley, Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden

Do you want to incorporate shrubs into the landscape but find that most of your space is limited by shade? Don't despair. There are many types of shade-loving shrubs to choose from. Click here to learn more.

Planting Bushes In The Yard: Landscaping Shrubs For Nearly Any Purpose

By Nikki Tilley, Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden

There are numerous types of landscaping shrubs and many uses within the landscape such as foundation plantings, privacy hedges, and specimen plants. This article provides information on common landscaping shrubs.

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