How to Grow Tall Shrubs

You can use tall flowering shrubs for color and privacy.

There are many species of shrubs that grow exceptionally large. According to the Department of Horticultural Science at Texas A&M University, species such as the Cherry Laurel -- an easy-to-grow evergreen shrub -- can reach heights of 20 to 30 feet. Homeowners often depend on large shrubs for privacy, noise pollution control and shade. The best way to ensure your shrub grows to its maximum height is to keep the shrub healthy and prune it correctly on a regular basis.

Things You'll Need

• 10-10-10 fertilizer
• Garden hose
• Garden sheers
• Hedge clippers

Instructions

1. Apply a 10-10-10 fertilizer to your shrub. Deciduous shrubs should receive 2 lbs. of fertilizer per 100 square feet. Evergreen shrubs do not need as much and should receive only 1 lb. per 100 square feet. Follow the manufacturer';s directions for correct application. If possible, fertilize right before a heavy rain. According to the University of Connecticut, this will help to wash the fertilizer into the soil.

2. Water your well-established shrub during any extreme dry spells. Most shrubs can withstand a bit of a dry spell without any ill affects. If there has been no rain for more than 10 days, water with a garden hose. Young shrubs can be watered more frequently to increase health and growth.

3. Cut off any dead or dying branches or leaves from your shrub using a pair of garden shears. These dead and dying branches can drain energy the shrub needs for growth.

4. Trim the width of the shrub using hedge clippers. Always trim so that the base is wider than the top of the shrub. Trimming in this fashion will allow sunlight to get to more areas of the shrub. Sunlight is crucial for a shrub to reach its full potential height.

References

• University of Connecticut: Fertilization of Trees, Shrubs, Vines and Groundcovers
• North Carolina University Cooperative Extension: Watering Shrubs
• University of Minnesota Extension: Pruning Trees and Shrubs
• Virginia Cooperative Extension: A Guide to Sccessful Pruning, Pruning Shrubs
• Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences: Medium to Large Shrubs

Resources

• Iowa State University Cooperative Extension: A Guide to Buying Healthy Trees and Shrubs