When it comes to choosing shrubs and bushes for landscaping, there are several important factors to consider. Some varieties are low-maintenance, while others require a bit more care. Below we’ll look at Low-maintenance shrubs, flowering shrubs, and Hedges. To get the most out of your landscaping, choose plants with low maintenance requirements. Then, pick plants that offer the best visual impact.
Low-maintenance shrubs
Wintercreeper, or Goldthread Cypress, is one of the easiest-to-care-for evergreen shrubs. It grows up to 2 ft. tall and can tolerate average soil and some shade. Wintersweet clethra is also hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, and its dense foliage is attractive to butterflies and other insects. Wintercreepers also grow in dwarf varieties, including ‘Crystalina’, a hardy cultivar.
Azalea shrubs are another low-maintenance option. These shrubs can reach a height of 3 to 4 ft. and require only minimal pruning. They will need mulching in spring. Another low-maintenance deciduous shrub is the paperbush plant. This multi-stemmed woody bush produces fragrant yellow flowers in the late winter and early spring.
Witch hazel is another low-maintenance shrub. Its foliage doesn’t require much water, and its flowers are typically yellow or copper. Witch hazel is a great choice for landscaping because it has minimal pest or disease problems. And while not a great choice for a privacy screen, witch hazel will add interest to your landscaping throughout the year. The flowering season is also attractive.
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance shrub or bush for your landscaping, think about how many hours you can devote to maintaining your garden. Choosing plants that require minimal maintenance can free up your time to do other things. By choosing plants that require minimal care, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor in the garden. And as a bonus, they’ll look beautiful for longer than you actually spend maintaining them!
There are a wide range of low-maintenance shrubs and bushes that will fit your style and provide beauty year-round. The Blue Star Juniper, for example, is an easy-to-care-for shrub that will provide you with a charming welcome to visitors. Despite its low-maintenance nature, it still needs pruning to stay compact. For an impressive display, try Blue Star juniper.
Boxwood, another low-maintenance shrub, has slender glossy leaves. It prefers partial shade, but some varieties can withstand full sun. If you don’t want to bother with pruning, try ‘Shamrock’ inkberry. The flowers are a great accent for winter gardens, and it’s easy to care for, too! And since boxwood is so low-maintenance, it’s ideal for small gardens.
Hedges
If you are interested in creating a privacy fence around your home, you can plant a variety of hedges. Depending on your needs, these plants range from slow to fast growing. When selecting a species, consider how fast it grows and how much space it requires. Also, consider the mature height and width of the hedge before planting it. Some plants can grow up to 15 feet in width in the wild, so you want to select plants that won’t overgrow your fence.
Hedges can be both beautiful and useful. They serve two purposes: privacy and a decorative accent. Some types are evergreens, such as White English Hawthorn, while others are less suitable. Hedges can also be a union of different types of shrubs. If you are looking for a natural and elegant fence, you may want to consider planting a row of evergreens instead of a row of deciduous shrubs.
Hedges require careful pruning, especially in the early stages. A full trained hedge will require clipping at least twice a year. Regularly-cut hedges should be cut as straight as a wall every year. The height of a full-grown hedge should not exceed three feet. If you want a more dense screen, you can trim and fertilize it three times a year. A good tool to use is a hedge trimmer or hedge shear.
Some of the most common hedge plants are boxwood, mountain laurel, and yew bushes. A few of these shrubs are low-maintenance, but may require occasional pruning to ensure that they remain healthy. If you are looking for a low-maintenance hedge, you may want to select a fast-growing shrub. A fast-growing hedge will establish itself quickly, and if you prune it frequently, it will keep its shape and look gorgeous.
Choose a variety of shrubs that will complement your home and landscaping. Consider the type of soil you have. Deciduous shrubs like hawthorn and sycamores are hardy and tolerant of most soil types. You can also plant a single-species hedge made up of smaller trees and shrubs. For shaded areas, try growing a single-species shrub.
Ground cover
Choosing the right ground cover plants for your landscape can be an important part of the overall design of your landscaping. While ground cover plants are drought-tolerant, they require adequate watering during dry spells. However, planting a ground cover in the fall will allow the roots of the plants to establish themselves before spring, which will reduce the need for additional watering. Read on for tips to choose ground covers for your landscaping needs.
Evergreen ground cover plants are excellent choices for filling in bare, flat spaces. These plants are fast-growing and transform bare ground into a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and leaf shapes within a single season. These plants are perfect for difficult areas under trees or in transitional areas throughout your yard. The benefits of evergreen ground cover plants far outweigh the negative impacts of an increased slug population, but if you have a slug problem, you may want to avoid planting these plants in your landscaping.
Before planting ground cover plants, remove any weeds in the area. You can use tillers or hoes to get rid of weeds. Another option is to cover the area with plastic to solarize the soil. This will prevent soil from drying out and absorbing water from the surrounding area. After the soil has been cleaned and the ground cover plant is planted, it should be well-established. Ground cover shrubs and bushes are easy to care for and will provide lush foliage.
Another plant to consider when choosing ground cover shrubs and bushes is the Japanese maple. This low-growing shrub has yellow flowers that are inedible. This plant is a favorite for rock gardens and pathways. The leaves of the Japanese maple are three to six feet wide and turn bronze in winter. It is drought-tolerant, but needs ample water when young. It is also slow to overtake other plants.
English ivy is a good plant for landscaping in zones three through nine. English ivy needs little attention once planted and creates a dense, layered blanket in just a few months. In addition to hiding weeds, it also holds the soil together, preventing soil erosion. Once you’ve finished planting the English ivy, you can divide the plant and reuse it in another area of the lawn.
Flowering shrubs
Planting flowering shrubs in your landscape can boost curb appeal and provide color and structure throughout the year. They are also great options for landscaping accents, as many varieties will bloom from late spring to fall. Whether you’re tasked with creating a focal point for your landscape or need a groundcover for walkways, flowering bushes are the perfect plant choice for your landscaping needs. Read the plant tag to determine how well they’ll do in your location. For best results, they should be planted in full sun, with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. They will grow leggy and have few flowers if they aren’t given the full sun that they need. Also, make sure you check the winter hardiness zone for your shrubs.
Azaleas: This colorful shrub has flowers that last all season. Its foliage is green with white edges and flowers that are crystal pink or wine-colored. These blooms are beautiful in containers and mass plantings. Azaleas can tolerate most soil types and are often deer-resistant. Some varieties will offer secondary blooms throughout the year, too. These flowers are perfect for landscape accents and can be used to create privacy screens in your landscape.
Beyond Midnight Bluebeard: This lush, vibrant shrub has blue flowers in late summer and early fall. It grows to eight to twelve feet tall and six to 12 feet wide. It has a dense, bushy root system and is deer-resistant once established. Once established, this shrub will bear fruit, usually in late winter or early spring. You can count on Beyond Midnight Bluebeard to produce long stems of flowers in your landscape.
Lilacs: The fragrant lilacs can be beautiful cut flowers. A variety of lilacs can be rebloomed, which extends its blooming season in your landscape. The loropetalum is another great plant to add to your landscape. Its fragrant pink flowers will turn orange in the fall, and the foliage can be paired with silver-leafed plants for a beautiful look.
