| Trees and shrubs are grown and looked after in | | | | temperature is relatively constant year-round this |
| much the same fashion. The major differences | | | | is less of a concern, and shrubs can be safely |
| rest in the height of course, the fact that trees | | | | planted in the fall or even winter. |
| have just one trunk, while shrubs have multiple | | | | Like with planting flowers, a chief concern before |
| stems or trunks. | | | | planting should be to maintain moisture in the |
| What was once a limited selection has now | | | | roots of the shrub. Water them as soon as |
| blossomed into a large variety of different | | | | possible after bringing them home, and continue to |
| shrubbery choices, thanks to the creation of | | | | mulch the ground around their planting and shade |
| several hybrid models of shrubs. Many of these | | | | them from sunshine after first planting. Pruning is |
| shrubs have been adapted to grow in certain | | | | also vital, and the older the shrub, the more this |
| regions and conditions and at varying times of the | | | | will be required. As such you may wish to buy |
| year, making them perfect for areas that were | | | | less expensive, smaller shrubs, not only to save |
| otherwise restricted in their shrubbery choices. | | | | yourself money, but additional work as well. Also |
| Shrubs can be used to cover bare patches of | | | | remember to water well in the fall before the |
| ground where growing grass has become difficult, | | | | ground freezes in areas with cool winters, as the |
| or in depths that make it possible for the shrub to | | | | leaves will lose moisture throughout the winter |
| act as a privacy screen. | | | | months. |
| Shrubs also make great boundary markers, | | | | Back to pruning, it's a common practice with |
| without having to rely on more artificial constructs | | | | landscaping shrubs to cut all branches to an even |
| like fences. They also have great decorative | | | | length, which isn't the ideal way to improve your |
| appeal, softening the lines between buildings, and | | | | plant's health. You should focus on removing the |
| serving as a perfect backdrop for flower beds. | | | | older branches, even though they may not have |
| They add color, shape and variety to any garden | | | | anything wrong with them. This will keep your |
| or yard, with many of them producing colorful | | | | shrub young and healthy, and prevent any |
| blossoms during their growing season, or | | | | problems before they happen. Most shrubs will |
| attracting birds to feast on their berries. | | | | need to be pruned yearly, especially in areas with |
| Planting shrubs does differ slightly from planting | | | | harsher winters where the branches will suffer |
| trees. Shrubs should ideally be planted in the | | | | from winterkill. Shrubs such as azaleas and |
| spring, giving them a long stretch of time to get | | | | magnolia should have their flower heads pruned |
| established and acclimated. In areas where the | | | | after blossoming. |