Small-to-medium-sized perennial plants are called shrubs, which, unlike herbaceous plants, have woody stems above the ground. Shrubs are clearly shorter than trees and feature multiple stems.
Shrubs are common highlights in all garden styles thanks to their low maintenance nature and striking beauty. Ready to add this plant to your garden? Check out our wide collection of shrubs right here at Local Botanist!
When incorporated in gardens, shrubs provide foundational structure in all types of garden designs, meaning they offer height and depth that define borders, create layers, and give form to the landscape. They also create a visual transition between low ground covers and taller trees.
Provides Privacy and Screening
Thanks to their dense foliage and growth habit, one of shrubs’ most common uses is providing privacy and screening. Their form and structure serve as natural barriers so homeowners won’t need fences. Even better, you’re adding greenery to garden boundaries by using shrubs as screening plants.
Low Maintenance
Shrubs are easy favourites, especially among new gardeners because they don’t require much care once established.
Improves Soil Health and Reduces Erosion
Planting shrubs helps with reducing erosion because their roots help stabilise soil. This also ensures that your garden soil is protected from heavy rains. What’s more, they make your soil more healthy by adding organic matter when leaves and branches decompose.
Offers Year-Round Aesthetic Appeal
Shrubs are worthwhile additions to any garden because they offer evergreen foliage and seasonal blooms. Some even produce berries and colourful autumn leaves. By having such a spectacle, your garden delivers dynamic charm throughout the year.
You can prune shrubs at any time of the year if necessary, for instance, to remove broken branches. As for the ideal season for pruning, it will depend on the type of shrub and its flowering season.
For spring-flowering shrubs, it’s recommended to prune them after they finish flowering. Meanwhile, trees and shrubs that bloom during summer and into autumn are best pruned in late winter or early spring to coincide with their annual growth.
Firstly, ensure you have the right tools — sharp, clean pruning shears for small branches and hedge clippers for thicker branches.
Start by cutting away branches that are either dead or diseased. Then, trim overgrown or uneven spots for an appealing symmetry. Don’t cut more than one-third of the shrub’s growth every pruning period to avoid stressing the plant.
Putting a vibrant display of shrubs right in front of your house enhances your home’s beauty and warmth. So what shrubs can you plant that will give you a fabulous front yard?
Boxwood’s dense, evergreen foliage makes for an attractive hedge. You can then incorporate hydrangeas with their large, spectacular blooms donning multiple shades of pink, blue, and white. You can also opt for lavenders, lilacs, or roses to bring delightful fragrance in your frontyard, too.