Happy Shrubs Are Easy Care Shrubs
Just like in other forms of gardening, choosing shrubs for the landscape means paying attention to the conditions the shrub will be planted in and knowing what you want from the planting. If you have never had your soil tested, a soil test is recommended before you spend a lot of money on landscaping. You will also need to look at the area to see what type of soil you have (sandy, organic or clay) and what type of light each area receives.
Plants that are happy where they are placed will grow as expected and won't need excessive coddling. Happy shrubs are easy to grow shrubs. You can find the needs of plants by examining the plant tags, catalog descriptions or good reference books. When you shop for plants, have a list of what will grow well in your conditions so you won't be tempted to buy shrubs that just look nice or that are on sale.
Pay attention to the adult size and shape of shrubs, which will also be listed on those tags or in references. Small and cute now doesn't mean the shrub won't become a huge mess later. Also pay attention to how far from the house or walkways that you plant your shrubs. When they reach adult size, you don't want them to cover a window or make it impossible to reach the doorway. You can prune most shrubs, but constant pruning doesn't equal easy care.
Remember that there may be many cultivars of the same species of shrub, and some of those may suit your property better than others. For example, there are arborvitaes that grow into trees and those that stay low and globe-shaped. There are junipers that hug the ground and those that grow tall and narrow. There are dwarf versions of many types of shrubs. Some varieties may be more winter hardy in your zone than others.
Some Easy Care Evergreen Shrubs
Arborvitaes or cedars come in a number of sizes. They have soft, flat needles and a pleasant smell. There are some arborvitaes with variegated foliage for additional interest. Arborvitaes will grow well over a large area of the country.
There are numerous forms of juniper in several shades of green and gold. Junipers have sharp needles, and there are some forms that will grow as far north as Zone 4 and as far south as Zone 7.
If you have acidic soil and light shade to full sun, a holly may be right for you. Hollies have broad leaves but are evergreen. Some hollies become quite large over time, so choose carefully. If you have both male and female plants, you will be rewarded with red berries in winter.
Other acid-soil lovers that prefer some shade and protection from winter wind are the azaleas and rhododendrons. There are large and small varieties of both. In the right location, they require little care and will give you beautiful spring flowers. Some varieties are not evergreen in all climates.
For the drier southwestern areas, Manzanita is a broad-leaved evergreen shrub that develops small, bright-red, apple-like fruit in summer.
Easy Care Deciduous Shrubs
Lilacs grow so easily they have become wild in many areas. They will grow in all areas except the far south and desert southwest. They can become large, so use them where they have plenty of room. Full sun and good air circulation are best for lilacs. You'll be rewarded with lovely flowers in spring.
If you are in California or the Southwest, you may want to grow Ceanothus in one of its many forms instead of lilacs. They have nice foliage and pretty, blue summer flowers that attract butterflies.
Viburnums are easy to grow, with a wide range of flower and fruit types, but four feet tall is generally considered a small viburnum. They are best used where they don't need to be pruned and are allowed to have their natural shape. There are viburnums for Zones 3 to 8.
Forsythia is another shrub that looks best when allowed to develop its natural form. It's hardy from Zones 3 to 8. Beautiful golden flowers cover it in spring.
The Burning Bush, or Euonymus alata, is a widely planted shrub in Zones 3 to 7. It has brilliant-red fall coloring. It prefers full sun and a yearly pruning is recommended.
Don't forget the new shrub roses. These come in various sizes, from groundcovers to large shrubs. There is a wide range of colors. They bloom all summer and don't require spraying. They may die back to the roots in cold climates, but they quickly recover. Dead branches will need to be pruned out each spring, but after that little pruning is needed.
Barberries are thorny shrubs with small leaves. Many have deep purple or crimson foliage all year. They come in various sizes and prefer full sun in Zones 4 to 7.
For the western coastal areas, a hardy native shrub, Holodiscus discolor, or Cream Bush, with its sprays of creamy white, sweet-smelling flowers, is a good choice.
In the coastal southwest, Rosemary becomes a large fragrant shrub with beautiful blue flowers. It's tough and drought-resistant and is great for cooking.
For more information on landscape shrubs, visit the home and garden section of Life123.com.
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