Don’t Shrug Off Shrubs

With winter seeming like it might really be behind us, we're getting back into the spring of things! Inside, you're packing up your winter clothing and cleaning out what doesn't belong, while outside, we're back to regular mowing and planting new flower gardens to make your yard sing again. But what about the lovely and humble shrub, that often forgotten and unsung landscape adornment that's always there when you need it yet never gets the spotlight? Well, Divine won't sit idly by while shrubbery suffers from more snubbery, so today, we're sharing why you shouldn't shrug off shrubs in your Kansas landscape. We'll share what makes them unique and what you must do to care for them.

A Bush By Any Other Name

Let's start with a definition. Many people call them bushes and hedges, and while they can all be the same plant, there are differentiators between the three. Bushes grow wild and are sometimes also called brush. Shrubs are domesticated bushes used in landscaping, and hedges are a specific way to trim them to create a wall-like barrier or terrifying maze where you can keep a minotaur. What makes this plant different than a tree are multiple stems. Trees have one central trunk from which all branches deviate. Bushes and their domesticated counterparts can have multiple stems. However, you may trim a bush to look like a tree by cutting down all but one of the stems.

What Makes Shrubs So Great?

Now that you know what they are, let's discuss what makes them so special! Flowers get a lot of attention for their beautiful blooms, while trees are praised as simple of strength and majesty, but shrubs hold a special place in our hearts and landscapes too.

Easy to Maintain

First of all, they're pretty easy to maintain. Like their taller cousins' trees, you mostly leave them to their own devices, and they will survive, if not outright thrive. They have some needs, which we will review later, mainly if you are using them to provide a particular aesthetic.

Versatile

We discussed hedges earlier and shaping them to look like trees earlier, two ways that people modify our domestic bushes to provide a need. Another is topiaries, which allow people to create shapes like animals or the dreaded labyrinth. But you can also go for a natural look or pick out plants that bloom beautifully flowers. Shrubs come in so many shapes and sizes; they're an excellent way to diversify your yard.

Many Are Green All Year

During the winter, your grass goes dormant, and your trees lose all their leaves. That's not so for many bushes. Since so many are evergreen, it's a way to keep something living in your yard, even during the coldest months.

Fill That Midsize Space

In landscaping, we talk a lot about contrast. Part of the contrast is providing different sizes of plants. For example, trees are very tall, while flowers and grass are typically low to the ground. Often we want to add something to our flower gardens that contrast their heights and provides vertical interest. So we'll give you one guess on the plant we use to fill that midsize space.

Provide Privacy

Beyond its aesthetic value, shrubbery can also serve essential yard functions. For example, you can use it to create privacy. Carefully placed plants can create a border between your property and neighbors or between your yard and the road. The value of using shrubbery for privacy goes beyond sightlines. It also can help to dampen noise from the street!

What Do Shrubs Need?

We've already mentioned how compared to flowers and your lawn, shrubbery is a relatively low-maintenance addition to your landscaping. But what do bushes need to stay healthy? In addition to the sunlight and water commonly necessary for all your flora, your shrubs need trimming and pruning to stay healthy. Pruning allows us to remove the unhealthy parts of your plants so the rest can remain strong. Trimming stimulates growth and allows you to create the shapes you want from your plants, whether a well-maintained bush or a prison for mythological beasts. Of course, to keep your soil healthy, so all your plants get their nutrients, you may also need to amend it with fertilizer or compost occasionally.

No Need to Say Ni

If you're ready to add shrubbery to your home, you've already gotten one that needs care; there's no quest necessary. Just call us, and we'll ensure the whole yard is Divine!