| Is it a
shrub or a bush? Some people think there
is a distinct difference between the two.
Whether you call them shrubs or bushes,
these plants are important to any landscape.
Perennials and annuals provide color and
variety. Trees add shade and perspective,
and usually frame our homes and yards.
Shrubs are the plants we relate to - they
help us feel a part of the landscape because
they bring it down to our level.
A shrub, or bush, is a woody plant with
a mature height of between one and a half
and ten feet. Anything smaller we consider
to be a groundcover. Anything larger is
a tree.
Shrubs are easy to plant because their
rootballs are usually much smaller than
large trees. The difficult part for many
is knowing where to place them in the
landscape. There are many varieties and
forms of shrubs available. Below are categories
of shrubs to help you identify the various
types of shrubs, their function and form,
and where they perform best in the landscape.
 |
Flowering
Shrubs come in all different shapes
and sizes and are great for adding
splashes of seasonal color in nearly
any situation the landscape provides.
Encore
Azaleas®,
which
bloom in both spring and fall,
are a great selection of flowering
shrub for areas in the landscape that
receive morning sun and afternoon
shade. |
 |
Drought-Tolerant
Shrubs Sometimes there's a misconception
of what 'drought tolerant' means.
People often conjure up an image of
cactus. There are many low-water-use
shrubs that are quite attractive and
thrive in landscapes throughout the
central Georgia area. Many survive
and even flourish on only the water
Mother Nature provides. . |
 |
Sun-Loving
Shrubs -
This category of shrubs is perhaps
the largest to choose from. These
shrubs prefer it bright and sunny.
This listing shows some of the shrubs
we generally have in stock. If you
don't find what you are looking for
here or at the nursery just let us
know and we will do everything we
can to find it for you. |
 |
Shade-Loving
Shrubs - Many gardeners make the
mistake of trying to grow sun-loving
shrubs in garden areas better suited
for shade-loving shrubs. This dilemma
often brings with it disappointment,
which lasts, for most gardeners, only
until they discover that there are
many alluring soft foliage and flowering
shrubs that can transform shady gardens
into cool, inviting spots that bring
enjoyment during the long, hot days
of summer. Don't think you have any
shade? Check out the east or south
side of your home. |
|
Evergreen
Shrubs - With their year-round
foliage, evergreen shrubs are the
preferred bushes for foundation plantings,
hedges, or screens. Some evergreen
shrubs grow large enough to make excellent
tree-form specimens for focal points
in the landscape or garden. Many of
the evergreen small-leaved hollies
and boxwoods are useful in hedges,
as they can be trimmed to precise
shapes. Many of the evergreen shrubs
such as Azaleas, Camellias, Indian
Hawthorn, and Lorepetalums produce
an abundance of flowers. Many have
bright golden, burgundy, or variegated
foliage that is sometimes striking
enough on their own to serve as specimens. |
 |
Fragrant
Shrubs - The fragrant shrubs in
this listing are perfect for planting
near decks, patios, porches and other
sitting areas so you can enjoy their
fragrance. The 'Tea Olive' produces
its wonderfully fragrant blooms in
both Spring and fall and can be grown
as a shrub or small tree. Nothing
can compare to the buttery-sweet fragrance
of Gardenias and there are now three
different forms to choose from: creeping
(radicans), mounding shrub
('Daisy' Gardenia) , and upright tall
('August Beauty'). |
 |
Low
Maintenance Shrubs - These are
the shrubs that require little if
any maintenance. Most are drought
tolerant as well. You'll be suprised
at how many there actually are available.
Why plant high maintenance shrubs
when there are so many low maintenance
ones to choose from? |
 |
Shrubs
For Hedges - These are shrubs
suitable for creating hedges, live
fences, or screens, whether manicured
or left to grow natural. Also in this
listing are the taller evergreen trees
perfect creating taller screens to
block views and give more privacy.
Pictured left is a hedge of Podocarpus
Yew. Why put up a dead fence when
you can have a live one? |
|
Native
Shrubs - These are shrubs which
are native to the southeast. This
means that they are, or at one time
were found growing in the southeast
part of the United States. Many,
such as the dazzliing 'Native Azlaeas'
or 'Honeysuckle Azaleas' (deciduous
rhododendrons pictured left ) such
as the pink canescens can
still be found growing in woodland
areas of Henry County. Needless
to say, natives are easy to grow
so long as you plant them where
they belong.
|
 |
Berry
Producing Shrubs - This listing
includes berry-producing trees and
shrubs that not only provide color
and interest on their own; they also
attract wildlife that makes the winter
garden truly come alive. Bring cuttings
indoors to brighten and freshen up
your living space as well. |
 |
Outstanding
Foliage Color - There are many
shrubs that exhibit outstanding, eye-catching
foliage color year round such as 'Ruby'
loropetalum pictured to the left.
Use these plants as focal points,
colorful hedges, i mass plantings,
or to accentuate other plants in the
landscape. |
 |
Winter
Bloomers - Just about everyone
is cheered by the sight or scent of
flowers blooming…much more so
in the midst of a cold, gray winter.
Beat the winter doldrums by planting
one (or a few) of these winter bloomers.
Camellia Japonicas pictured. |
 |
Crape
Myrtles are usually thought of
as trees, however many consider them
to be shrubs. There are a few dwarf
and semi-dwarf varieties that are
considered shrubs. Crape Myrtles bloom
from 60-100 days during summer and
therefore are a must in every southern
landscape. |
 |
Topiary
- Many shrubs can be formed into all
kinds of unique shapes. Pictured left
is a weeping yaupon formed into an
umbrella shape. You can form them
yourself or we have many types to
choose from at the nursery. Most popular
are the pom-pom and poodle tier junipers
|
As you've probably noticed by now there
is great diversity among landscape shrubs,
both in terms of appearance and uses.
Some landscape shrubs are compact, or
even dwarfs. But others are tall enough
virtually to be small trees and, in fact,
may be just that in warmer climates. Some
lose their leaves in winter, while other
landscape shrubs are evergreen. Yet there
is variation even amongst the different
evergreen bushes. Uses for landscape shrubs
include foundation plantings, formal hedges,
informal privacy hedges, mass plantings,
topiaries, and as specimen plants.
When deciding which shrubs to plant in
your landscape or garden consider those
that are both beautiful and will thrive
well where you plan to put them. Drought
tolerant shrubs are always a good
choice as this leaves you one less thing
to worry about when water is scarce or
you dont have the time to water.
Definitely consider integrating flowering
shrubs into your landscape. With flowering
shrubs you can have splashes of seasonal
color throughout the landscape year round.
Many flowering shrubs are deciduous however,
azaleas, camellias, loropetalums, and
others are evergreen. Some note taking
during your research will ensure a selection
of shrubs that that bloom at various times
of the year - you'll always have something
in bloom!
Planting
Shrubs
In Georgia, we're usually dealing with
clay, whether it be hard-packed or sandy
clay. Clay soils tend to hold more moisture
than others during wet times, therefore
providing for good drainage is essential.
We accomplish this by planting shrubs
in a slightly raised mound so that their
roots do not sit below the water table.
Use the diagram and instructions found
at Planting
a Shrub for proper planting technique.
SEE
ALSO:
How
To Transplant a Shrub or Tree
Weed
Control Around Shrubs
Pruning
Shrubs
Fertilizing
Shrubs
Disease
Control For Shrubs
Insect
Control For Shrubs
Shrub Listing
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