How to grow shrubs

The presence of thriving, vibrant shrubs often enhances the charm of a garden. These woody plants serve as cornerstones, adding structure, seasonal color, and even privacy to your landscape. This comprehensive guide on how to grow shrubs will walk you through the process of choosing, planting, and caring for shrubs, transforming your outdoor space into a lush, captivating haven.

How to grow shrubs

For successful shrub growth, choose species suited to your climate and soil type. Ensure good drainage and soil preparation, incorporating organic matter if needed. Plant at the right depth and spacing to allow for growth and air circulation. Regularly water, prune, mulch, and fertilize to maintain health and encourage robust growth.

Choosing the right shrubs for your garden

Selecting the perfect shrubs for your garden requires careful consideration of various factors, such as sunlight requirements, soil type, and climate compatibility. The decision to choose the right shrub goes beyond aesthetics as it seeks to guarantee that the plant will thrive in its new environment and enrich the overall look and functionality of your garden.

A shrub with a good structure, featuring plenty of branching and symmetrical growth, is preferable to simply choosing the tallest one available. Dwarf or compact shrubs are ideal for most residential landscapes, as they are smaller than their typical species counterparts, making them a versatile choice for various garden styles.

Healthy shrubs display green leaves (unless it’s a yellow-leafed variety), moist soil, and no visible signs of pests or weeds. After picking the right shrub for your garden, it must be planted using appropriate techniques and care to foster its healthy growth and its contribution to the overall garden design.

Sunlight requirements

Sunlight needs differ among shrubs, a crucial aspect to bear in mind while selecting the appropriate shrub for your garden. Here are the different sunlight requirements for shrubs:

• Full sun: requires at least six hours of direct, unmitigated light
• Partial sun or partial shade: requires 3-6 hours of sun or filtered sunlight throughout the day
• Shade-loving plants: need minimal to no sun exposure

A shrub that receives the appropriate amount of sunlight will have the best chance to grow and develop healthily.

Soil type and drainage

Beyond sunlight requirements, soil type and soil moisture are instrumental for the prosperous growth of shrubs. Most shrubs require well-draining soil to thrive, as poor drainage can lead to root rot and other issues.

To assess the drainage of your planting site, follow these steps:

1. Dig a hole about a foot wide and a foot deep.
2. Fill the hole with water.
3. Wait for two hours.
4. If there is no standing water after two hours, the soil is well-drained. However, if water remains, it indicates poor drainage.

If the soil exhibits poor drainage, it can be enhanced by tilling a radius of soil as wide as 15 feet around the desired planting location and soil lightly. Ensuring the soil is well-draining offers your shrub the optimal conditions to grow and develop healthily.

Moreover, testing the soil pH before planting is paramount, given that many plants flourish in slightly acidic soil. Those in areas with alkaline soil may not know why their shrubs are struggling if they are unaware of the high pH. For plants that prefer more acidic soil, such as azaleas and blueberries, you can lower the soil pH by using aluminum sulfate or sulfur and applying organic mulch around the base of the plants to help maintain the desired soil pH levels.

Climate compatibility

Choosing a shrub that aligns with your region’s climate is key to its thriving in your garden. Shrubs that are suitable for the climate will be better equipped to withstand temperature extremes, drought, and other weather conditions. Furthermore, climate-compatible shrubs are more likely to attract local wildlife and contribute to the overall health and biodiversity of the ecosystem.

To determine your garden’s climate zone, use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which divides North America into various zones based on average winter temperatures. By finding your location on the map, you can identify which plants are most likely to thrive in your garden.

Examples of climate-suitable shrubs

In zone 3, where temperatures can drop to -40°F, you’ll want hardy shrubs that can withstand extreme cold. Here are some options:

1. Dogwood: Known for its colorful stems and flowers.
2. Lilac: Popular for fragrant flowers and sturdy growth.
3. Spirea: Offers beautiful blooms and is easy to care for.
4. Juniper: An evergreen option with various forms and sizes.
5. Viburnum: Features attractive foliage and berries.

These shrubs are well-suited for cold climates and can provide year-round interest in your garden.

In zone 9 and warmer climates, where temperatures rarely drop below 20°F, many shrubs thrive. Here are some great choices:

1. Oleander: Known for its vibrant flowers and tolerance to heat.
2. Bougainvillea: Offers stunning, colorful blooms and loves the sun.
3. Hibiscus: Popular for large, showy flowers and a tropical feel.
4. Gardenia: Valued for its fragrant, creamy-white flowers.
5. Crepe myrtle: Produces beautiful summer flowers and has attractive bark.

These shrubs are well-suited for warmer climates, offering color, fragrance, and variety to your garden.

Preparing the planting site

After selecting the appropriate shrub for your garden, the next step is to ready the planting site. This involves clearing debris, marking the location, and assessing drainage. Thorough site preparation paves the way for a solid start for your shrub, laying the groundwork for healthy growth and development.

Begin by clearing any debris, such as rocks, sticks, and weeds, from the planting site. Marking the location is essential to guarantee the precise placement of plants, ensure appropriate spacing and arrangement, and create an aesthetically pleasing and well-organized garden or landscape.

Clearing debris

Clearing debris from the planting site is vital for your shrub’s healthy growth. Rocks in the soil can hinder root development and restrict access to deeper soil layers, while weeds can compete with your shrub for water and nutrients. To clear debris, use hand rakes with flexible tines for cleaning out leaves and debris caught in plants, and a garden rake with stiff tines to spread compost or soil.

Marking the location

Precisely marking the planting spot for your shrub guarantees it has enough room to grow and thrive. Take into account the mature size of the shrub and its spacing requirements when marking the location. It can be hard to visualize the tiny shrub in a nursery pot growing to be 6 feet wide, but it does happen (and sometimes, quite quickly!)

The stake and string method is recommended for marking a location for planting a shrub. This involves planting stakes in the ground to outline the shape of your garden, with a tape measure used for precision. Alternatively, mark your garden on graph paper, with a stick or flag placed every 5 feet to help keep track of plant locations.

Verify the correctness of the location once it has been marked, ensuring that plants are positioned correctly and that there are no obstructions or potential risks that could impede the growth of the shrub.

Surface drainage

Appropriate surface drainage is vital for your shrub’s health and growth. To assist drainage, rake the area smooth to eliminate any low spots where water is likely to accumulate. If your planting area has inadequate soil permeability, raise the bed 8 to 12 inches with native soil or topsoil obtained from a reliable supplier.

In addition to raising the bed, shaping the final grade of the planting bed will help improve drainage. Rake the area to smooth it out and eliminate low spots where water is likely to accumulate. Ensuring that your shrub has well-draining soil will help it grow and develop healthily.

How to plant a shrub

Having selected the right shrub and prepared the planting site, it is now time to plant your shrub. Planting your shrub involves the following steps:

• Digging the hole
• Positioning the shrub
• Backfilling the hole
• Post-installation care

Correct planting techniques will pave the way for your shrub’s success, guaranteeing healthy growth and development.

Digging the hole

Begin by digging a hole that is 2-3 times wider and the same depth as the root ball of the shrub. This size allows the roots to spread out and establish themselves, promoting healthy growth. Use shovels, spades, forks, digging bars, or even post-hole diggers to dig the hole. When digging, remove the loosened, unamended soil that was initially extracted from the hole.

The depth of the hole is important for the shrub’s healthy establishment. Ensure that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil, provided the bottom has been flattened, or raise it an inch or so above if a mound was added to promote drainage. This prevents the root ball from drying out quickly and ensures proper settling and growth of the shrub.

Positioning the shrub

Next, position the shrub in the hole, ensuring the most attractive side is facing outward. To find the most aesthetically pleasing side, follow these steps:

1. Remove the planter pot
2. If there are roots circling the root ball, gently loosen them and pull them away from the potting mix. Don’t plant a root-bound shrub as is. Make the necessary adjustments to the root system and loosen it up before placing it in the hole.
3. Place the shrub in the hole and step back to gain a comprehensive view.
4. Evaluate the overall form and symmetry of the shrub and adjust.
5. Observe any distinctive features or intriguing foliage patterns and adjust.
6. Consider the shrub’s bloom time and select a side that displays its flowers.
7. Take into account the shrub’s growth habit and choose a side that allows for suitable spacing and growth.

The top of the root ball should be even with or slightly above the soil surface when positioning the shrub in the hole. This ensures that the root ball is in proper contact with the soil and that the shrub has the best chance for healthy growth and development.

Backfilling the hole

Once you’ve positioned the shrub in the hole, follow these steps to backfill the hole with native soil:

1. Firmly press the soil into place as you proceed, and eliminate air pockets.
2. Ensure that the roots have proper contact with the soil.
3. Using native soil for backfilling provides a familiar and appropriate environment for the roots.
4. Native soil contains the necessary nutrients, microorganisms, and moisture retention properties essential for the thriving of shrubs.

After backfilling, water the shrub thoroughly to settle the soil. Watering the shrub regularly during its first year is essential for its survival and establishment. Gradually reduce the frequency of watering as the shrub becomes established and adapts to its new environment. By properly planting and watering your shrub, you set the stage for healthy growth and a beautiful addition to your garden.

Caring for newly planted shrubs

Appropriate care during the first year of a newly planted shrub’s life is crucial for its growth and development. Caring for newly planted shrubs involves following a proper watering schedule, applying mulch, and learning basic pruning techniques.

By delivering the required care, you assist your shrub in acclimating to its new environment, ensuring its enduring health and beauty.

Watering schedule

During the first year, water the shrub very regularly, ensuring that the soil remains consistently moist. Here is a watering schedule to follow for watering newly planted shrubs:

• For the initial two weeks following planting, water newly planted shrubs daily.
• Then, for the subsequent 3-12 weeks, water every three days.
• After the 12-week period and once the roots have become established, reduce watering to once weekly.

Keep in mind that the type of shrub can influence the watering schedule, as the quantity and frequency of watering are contingent on the root system of the shrub. Woody plants, such as shrubs and trees, have the potential to develop deeper roots and may necessitate less frequent watering in comparison to other types of plants.

Mulching techniques

Applying a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the shrub is an essential part of caring for newly planted shrubs. Mulch helps retain moisture, prevent weeds, and insulate the roots from temperature fluctuations.

Some organic mulches that can be used for shrubs include:

• Hardwood and softwood chips
• Shredded bark mulch
• Evergreen needles
• Grass clippings
• Compost mixes

Inorganic mulches like volcanic rock, stone, gravel, and stones are also viable options.

When applying mulch, ensure that it covers the soil surface but does not come into direct contact with the main stem of the shrub. This prevents the development of disease and pests, while still providing the benefits of moisture retention, weed suppression, and insulation.

Pruning basics

Learning basic pruning techniques is essential for maintaining the health and appearance of your shrub. Pruning involves:

• Eliminating dead branches
• Removing inward-growing branches
• Opening the plant up to allow for greater air circulation
• Making thinning cuts to allow for greater air circulation
• Heading back the plant to keep it small

The optimal time to prune different types of shrubs is typically in late winter or early spring, while the plants are still in dormancy. However, some shrubs that flower on new wood can also be pruned in summer.

When pruning your shrub, consider its size and shape, as well as the desired outcome. Use the appropriate tools for the job, such as pruning shears, loppers, and saws. If unsure about how to prune your shrub, consult a professional to ensure that your shrub remains healthy and attractive.

Growing shrubs in containers

Cultivating shrubs in containers offers a flexible solution to expand your garden and infuse color into your patio or other open spaces. Many shrubs that can thrive in containers include:

• Roses
• Boxwood
• Hydrangea
• Daphne

When selecting a container for your shrub, consider the size of the container, the mature size of the shrub, and its sunlight and water requirements. In general, choose a container that is 16”-24” (40-60 cm) in diameter and proportionally deep, with adequate drainage, and fill it with high-quality potting soil.

Water your container-grown shrub regularly to ensure that the soil remains consistently moist. As with shrubs planted in the ground, proper care, including watering, mulching, and pruning, is essential for the healthy growth and development of container-grown shrubs.

Popular shrubs for various garden styles

Whether your aim is to inject a pop of color, establish a privacy screen, or simply boost the overall look of your garden, there’s a shrub tailored to every style. Some popular types of shrubs for various garden styles include flowering shrubs such as roses and lavender, evergreens like holly, and fruit-bearing shrubs like gooseberries and blueberries.

In addition to these popular choices, consider shrubs that serve specific purposes, such as hedges and screens. These shrubs can provide privacy, block unwanted views, or create a natural barrier within your landscape. With the right selection and proper care, shrubs can transform your garden into a thriving, captivating oasis.