The Care of Shrubbery

There are many types of shrubs, each with its own beauty and needs.

If you want to add a little more green to your yard, consider planting a shrub. A shrub is a woody perennial plant that is usually made of several large stems. You may refer to some shrubs as bushes or brush. Some of the most common types of shrubs include blackberries, hydrangeas and evergreens. These low-growing yet dense plants can add some much-needed character to your garden and even provide you with some beautiful flowers or tasty berries.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Mulch
• Garden shears
• Fertilizer

1. Find out the particular needs of the shrubs you have planted (see Resource). Like trees or flowers, different varieties of shrub need different amounts of water, sunlight and fertilizer. They may even require different soil types than you have in your garden to thrive.

2. Provide your shrubs with the proper amount of water recommended for their species. In most cases, 1 inch of water per week will suffice to establish a healthy shrub. Water the plant in the early morning before the sun's heat can make the water evaporate.

3. Examine the soil around the shrub's roots to ensure there are no puddles remaining after you water. Sitting water will attract pests that may harm your shrub. If a puddle remains, blot it up with a towel. If puddles are common after watering, mix some sand into the soil around the roots of the shrub to make water drain deeper into the soil.

4. Spread mulch around the base of your shrubs. Leave 4 inches of open soil between your mulch and the stem of your shrub. Some shrubs have shallow roots---azaleas, for example---so the mulch adds an extra layer of protection while keeping the roots warm. Replace the mulch any time it begins to look worn.

5. Prune your shrubs to keep them looking shapely and healthy. Examine the plant for any diseased or dead-looking foliage and clip it off. Continue to trim the healthy foliage until it reaches a shape you like. Use caution, though, because the top few inches of a shrub usually contain foliage while the rest of the plant is branches and stems. If you cut back too much of the foliage, you may expose the bare insides of the plant, which leaves it looking unattractive.

6. Fertilize your shrubs with a time-release fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer once or twice in the beginning of the growing season (early spring). Use only the recommended amount of fertilizer or it may burn the roots.

References

• Bayer Advanced: Tree and Shrub Basics
• University of Illinois: Watering Correctly Saves Time, Money, and Plants

Resources

• The Garden Helper: How to Grow and Care for your Favorite Flowering Trees and Shrubs