Shrubs

Shrubs are woody Plants of relatively low height, having several stems arising from the base and lacking a single trunk. They are also known as Bushes, especially when they are much-branched and dense. Some are small and dense, while others are tall and thin. Some are leafy green, while others display colourful flowers. They grow upwards to ten feet (about 3 meters). Shrubs can be Flowering and Ornamental. Shrubs are an important feature of permanent landscape planting, being used for formal decorative groups, hedges, screens, and background plantings, to which they contribute pattern, colour, fragrance, or utility. An area of cultivated Shrubs in a park or garden is known as a Shrubbery.

Types of Shrubs

Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs -  Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs are those whose colour remain mostly green throughout the year, irrespective of the change in season. However there are certain exception to colour. Azalea, boxwood, Camellia, Gardenia, Holly, Hopbush, Mountain Laurel, Myrtle and Rhododendron are some examples of Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs.

Deciduous Shrubs - Deciduous Shrubs are those Shrubs which shed their leaves due to weather or seasonal changes. It often includes colour changes within the foliage. Deciduous varieties are easily recognized by their range of bright colors displayed in the autumn seasons before shedding their leaves prior to winter. In the spring, these Shrubs bud and blossom and display new leaves in their original colour until the cycle repeats in the following fall. Some of the Deciduous Shrubs are Abbotswood, Blue Mist Spirea, Hancock Coralberry, Honeysuckle, Hydrangea, Kelsey Dogwood, Lilac, Pussywillow, Rose-Of-Sharon and Russian Sage.

Needled Evergreen Shrubs - Needled Evergreen Shrubs are those Shrubs whose leaf is needle-like, whether narrow or wide and does not change colour due to season or weather. They also displays multiple stems branching forth from the base if it is a needled evergreen Shrub. Arborvitae, Juniper, Mugo Pine and Yew are some examples of Needled Evergreen Shrubs.

Characteristics and Feature of Shrubs

• Lack of Trunk - Most of the Shrubs lack Trunk. Shrubs typically branch near the ground and so have several narrow stems rather than a single Trunk.

• Smaller than Trees - Shrubs are usually less than 3–6 m (15–20 ft) tall. They are smaller than Trees as they are less rigid than a single thick trunk. The Stems bow down under their own weight, whereas the single rigid trunk of a Tree is easily able to support itself. For this reason Shrubs do not typically grow as tall as Trees.

• Broad Leaved Plants - Shrubs are generally Broad-Leaved Plants.

• Hardy Plants - Most of the Shrubs are hardy & grow in all types of soil.

• Shrubs Thrive in Sunny Environment - They flourish in sunny locations and don't handle drought conditions well.

Some Popular Shrubs

• Boxwoods.

• Buddleia, the Butterfly Bush.

• Deutzia.

• Flowering Quince (Cydonia).

• Hibiscus.

• Honeysuckle Bushes.

• Forsythia.

• Rhododendron.

• Viburnum.

• Weigela.

Importance and Uses of Shrubs

• Shrubs are an important feature of permanent landscape Planting, being used for formal decorative groups, screens, and background plantings, to which they contribute pattern, colour, fragrance, or utility.

• Shrubs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours, this along with growth habit, shape & colour of flowers & the variety of fragrance make Shrubs an important garden Plant.

• Shrubs are also used as hedges & for screening. Hardy dwarf Shrubs like Gardenia Jasminoides, Lantana Camara Depressa, Malpighia Coccigera, Plumbago Capensis, Russelia Juncea are also grown in rockery to add colour.

• In arid, arctic, and other regions of extreme climatic conditions where Trees do not thrive, Shrubs often provide valuable forage for wildlife and livestock as well as wood for local construction and for fuel.