Planting and Caring for Shrubs

In general, trees and shrubs are planted and cared for in the same way, the difference between them being chiefly one of height.

Shrubs are valuable to the homeowner because they bridge the area between flowers and trees. As do trees, they soften the lines of buildings, serve as boundary markers, act as a decorative background for flower beds and hide unsightly views.

Like flowers, they add shape and character to the garden, with colorful blossoms that will attract birds with their berries. Another great thing they have going for them is that they mature rapidly, yet remain as hardy as trees.

Planting shrubs is a little different from planting trees. Early spring is the best time to plant them since the plant will have a long time of good growing weather to get reestablished. If you live in the milder areas of the country, transplanting may be done successfully through the winter months.

Dry roots are the main cause of planting failures, and steps should be taken to prevent this. After bringing shrubs home from the garden center, water as soon as possible; shade them from sunshine, mulch the ground around them, and prune back severely.

The older the plant you purchase, the more it will need to be cut back, so that in the long run, you come out just as well buying the less expensive, smaller shrubs. Azalea and forsythia can be safely moved while they are flowering, but most plants should not be moved at this time.

Watering in the fall, before the ground freezes, is very important for azalea, rhododendron, box, mountain laurel and broadleaf evergreens, whose leaves lose moisture in winter.

Pruning back shrubs will help to keep them vigorous and young. Prune out the older branches, even though they may be sound, rather than cutting all branches to an even length.

Some shrubs will need to be pruned every year, especially those which have dead branches as a result of winterkill. (These include some hydrangeas, deutzias, buddleia, spireas and privets.) Other shrubs such as azaleas, magnolia, rhododendron, and buddleia should have the flower heads pruned off after blooming.