The Many Benefits of Shrubs (2024)

The Many Benefits of Shrubs (1)

"Aucuba shrubs"

While there are no hard and fast rules, shrubs are defined as woody plants smaller than a tree with several stems at or near ground level. Shrubs are usually less than 12 feet (4 m.) tall, generally with stems measuring less than 3 inches (8 cm.) in diameter.

This loose definition includes a huge variety of gorgeous shrubs for every climate and every gardening style under the sun.

Types of shrubs

Shrubs include shade-loving plants like azalea or sun lovers like butterfly bush or aucuba. You can plant evergreens like boxwood or juniper, or deciduous types that lose their leaves in fall like viburnum, lilac or flowering quince. Some are even semi-evergreen, which means they stay green unless temperatures get extremely chilly.

The Many Benefits of Shrubs (2)

"Azalea shrubs"

Obviously, shrubs are amazingly versatile, but they provide a number of benefits you may not have considered. Consider the following:

Energy savings: Plant deciduous shrubs on the east or west side of your home. You’ll enjoy cool shade in the morning and late afternoon during the hot summer months, but you’ll benefit from the warming rays of the sun when leaves drop in fall. Shrubs planted on the north side of your house serve as a protective windbreak during the winter.

Food and shelter for birds: Shrubs provide much-needed shelter for birds and many have juicy berries that sustain songbirds during the winter months when food is in short supply. Other shrubs bear pretty blooms that attract hummingbirds (and butterflies, too).

Seasonal beauty: Some shrubs turn color in fall, while other sport masses of pretty flowers in spring and summer or colorful berries in autumn. Even deciduous shrubs add interest to the garden during the winter months, sometimes in the form of unique shapes or colorful, textural bark.

Environmental benefits: Shrubs improve air quality by filtering dust and pollutants. They also reduce erosion, thus reducing stormwater runoff and reducing toxic materials in the waterways.

Reliability: Shrubs are reliable and easy to grow if planted in the right climate and soil conditions. Most live to beautify the garden for many years.

A Word about Native Shrubs

Plant shrubs native to your area whenever possible. Native shrubs have become acclimated to your particular environment, when means they thrive with very little human intervention. They are especially beautiful (and low maintenance) when planted with other native plants, including grasses or wildflowers.

Most native shrubs are adept at attracting a wide variety of bees and other beneficial insects, as well as butterflies, birds and wildlife.

The Many Benefits of Shrubs (2024)

FAQs

What are the benefits of shrubs? ›

Shrubs are an instrumental part of every garden's ecosystem. They provide shade, improve soil stability, enhance air quality and create habitats for all types of wildlife. Of course, shrubs and small trees are also beautiful to look at, especially when you choose varieties that add seasonal interest to your landscape.

What is shrubs answers? ›

Shrubs are plants with branches that grow near the stem. The stem of the shrub is tough but not particularly thick. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. Example- Tulsi, Rose.

Why are shrubs important to humans? ›

Environmental benefits: Shrubs improve air quality by filtering dust and pollutants. They also reduce erosion, thus reducing stormwater runoff and reducing toxic materials in the waterways. Reliability: Shrubs are reliable and easy to grow if planted in the right climate and soil conditions.

Why put bushes in front of a house? ›

Increased Curb Appeal

Selling homes with plenty of curb appeal is easier, and these properties often sell for more. Shrubs are a wonderful way to add curb appeal to your home, especially if you choose flowering bushes or plants that change color in the fall.

Are shrubs good for your gut? ›

It also helps keep your digestive system running smoothly so that you don't experience any uncomfortable digestive issues later on. Drinking a shrub before meals has also been linked to weight loss because it helps fill up your stomach without providing extra calories or fat.

What is shrub good for? ›

Persimmon & Lavender Classic Shrub

They carry with them significant minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and fiber. Benefits also include the prevention of liver and intestinal damage, the lowering of bad cholesterol, and the enhancement of endurance and stamina.

What is a shrub vs bush? ›

The term bush is more often used as an adjective describing how shrubs grow than an actual plant. If multiple shrubs are planted close together, or a shrub grows round instead of straight up, they are considered a bush. Bushes are typically left to grow as nature sees fit unlike the yearly pruning shrubs require.

What makes a shrub a shrub? ›

shrub, any woody plant that has several stems, none dominant, and is usually less than 3 m (10 feet) tall. When much-branched and dense, it may be called a bush.

Are shrubs plants or trees? ›

A shrub or bush is a woody plant with a mature height of between one and a half and 10 feet. Anything smaller is ground cover. Anything larger is a tree.

What are the facts about shrubs? ›

Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees by their multiple stems and shorter height, less than 6–10 m (20–33 ft) tall. Small shrubs, less than 2 m (6.6 ft) tall are sometimes termed as subshrubs.

What is the significance of shrubs? ›

Shrubs, which are defined as woody plants that are smaller than trees and have multiple stems, can be found in a variety of environments, from deserts to tundras. They are particularly important in regions with harsh climates, where they provide shelter, food, and water for a wide range of wildlife species.

What is the useful life of a shrub? ›

The average shrub lifespan is typically 10 to 15 years. That's not to say that shrubs can't go on to live after that, but you may notice they could start to look subpar (no matter what you do).

What is the best shrub for the front of a house? ›

What are the best low-maintenance shrubs for the front of the house? A few low-maintenance shrubs for the front of a house are hydrangeas, weigelas, boxwood, and spirea.

How far should shrubs be from the house? ›

E.g.: Small shrubs should be planted at least 2 feet from a house foundation, medium shrubs about 3 feet, and tall shrubs 4 to 5 feet away. An 8-foot shrub should be spaced about 7 feet away from a 6-foot shrub. Spacing plants in hedges is another matter.

Do bushes attract bugs? ›

Shrubs can attract insects with seasonal flowerings and may attract ants by the presence of aphids that are feeding on the shrubs. Densely planted shrubs with foliage that extend all the way to the ground can make an attractive home for rodents and other pests looking for harborage.

How do shrubs benefit the environment? ›

Trees and shrubs are natural air purifiers, and by planting them in late summer, we can further enhance their beneficial effects. As plants photosynthesize, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, thus helping to mitigate climate change.

What is the significance of shrub? ›

Shrubs, which are defined as woody plants that are smaller than trees and have multiple stems, can be found in a variety of environments, from deserts to tundras. They are particularly important in regions with harsh climates, where they provide shelter, food, and water for a wide range of wildlife species.

Is it good to have bushes around your house? ›

Avoid laying mulch and planting shrubs too close to your home – not just because plants will come into contact with and damage the siding, but because shrubs retain moisture. We recommend using landscaping rocks against your home and starting mulch 2-4 inches away from the home.

What are the major uses of shrubs in the landscape? ›

Shrubs Provide Food and Shelter

If you want to attract birds to your garden, shrubs are an important element as many shrubs have berries that are attractive to birds as well as providing shelter. They also provide nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

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