Shrubs Provide Color, Texture for Landscape
When designing a landscape, designers consider texture, light and shade, color, and placement of a variety of plants. Plush fruit trees provide instant shade and some color. A rustic stone path may provide contrast and texture when set against green ground cover. Flowers are known for their plethora of color in the garden. Shrubs, which come in a variety of shapes and colors, can create variety, texture, and shape in any landscape.
Although most shrubs are green most of the time, many of them have a blooming season where they take center stage in the landscape. One notable centerpiece shrub is the Burning Bush. The large bush proudly displays splendid red color during the fall months, when other garden color may be fading.
When winter months create a dreary outdoor scene, a China Holly can always be counted on for cheer and color. Touting bright red berries and evergreen foliage, the China Holly is a classic winter favorite.
If you’re looking for year-round color, choose shrubs that bloom more than one season per year. The Purple Sand Cherry will provide color in the form of flowers in May, and purple leaves and red cherry berries in the fall and early winter months.
Shrubs Earn Their Place in the Landscape
In addition to adding interesting color to the landscape, shrubs can be used to mask unappealing concrete foundations around the outside of the house. They can also serve as sturdy organic privacy fences. Low shrubs are good borders around flower beds. If you’d rather use your Saturday mornings for something besides mowing a large lawn, break up the lawn by creating mini gardens of comprised of shrubs and flowers.
Topiaries, which are shrubs that have been clipped into a shape, are wonderful conversation pieces and an exciting addition to any landscape. With a little practice, anyone can acquire the skills to create and maintain the topiaries.
One of the advantages of shrubbery is the low care and maintenance. They do not require as much work as most annual flowers, and are not as delicate and finicky. The exception is that some shrubs do have to be pruned regularly.
The Bougainvillea boasts beautiful bright red leaves, but doesn’t require a lot of water or pruning. The Mentor Barberry is another beautiful low-care shrub. Unlike flowers, many shrubs can be left without care when you need to be away from home.
Plant Shrubs in the Right Place
Before you purchase shrubs, consider the area where they will be planted. Allow room for the shrub to spread out and grow up. Shrubs can range from just inches tall to several feet tall. If you have a spot where you need a taller shrub, consider the Smooth Hydrangea which grows three to five feet tall; or the Chinese Juniper which will top off at three to eight feet. If you need a shorter shrub, the Cranberry Cotoneaster or Dwarf Honeysuckle may be perfect because they usually grow to about three feet.
When landscaping, let your imagine scamper where it will. Use flowing vines, tall and short plants, vibrant blooms and various shapes and sizes of herbs to create an engaging landscape that can be enjoyed for years to come.