Lesson 6: Trees And Shrubs
Selecting The Right Shrubs
Shrubs are such versatile plants. They can be used as focal points, windscreens or hedges. Planting a shrub needs to be done with care. A large percentage of shrub failure is due to incorrect planting. Before choosing shrubs, you need to decide what you want them to accomplish. There are wonderful choices out there, but choosing the wrong shrub for a specific purpose can be frustrating and costly.
The first thing you need to decide is how large you need the shrub to grow. Next, you must decide how much maintenance you are willing to do to keep it looking its best. Finally, decide if you want a flowering or evergreen variety. If you live in a dry climate or a location where drought is prevalent, selecting drought hardy shrubs will maximize the chances of survival.
Boxwood, privet, juniper, and rhododendrons are great hedging shrubs. They provide excellent screening and wind protection. Yew has been used in Europe for centuries as a shrub for borders and hedging. It forms a uniformly dark green wall, making it ideal for enclosing spaces.
Flowering shrubs are spectacular in full bloom. A word of caution: If you have an allergy to bee stings, don’t plant flowering shrubs near porches, decks or walkways. Bottle brush, hawthorn, and mock orange attract hundreds of bees when in full bloom.
All shrubs benefit from deep watering and regular feeding. Pruning should be done when a shrub begins to look leggy or wild. Never remove more than a third of the plant when pruning, as it may well shock it to death.
Pest control is rarely needed, and washing with insectidal soap will take care of most pest problems.
Selected and sited properly, shrubs lend an air of grace and character to a garden.
Assignment: Visit your local nursery and begin to familiarize yourself with the individual characteristics and uses for shrubs.
