When landscaping is working well, it takes lots of different elements and ties them all together in a natural way. For example, incorporating lots of different types of trees, flowers, and plants can really make a difference for your landscaping. One way to add some variety to your landscaping is by incorporating shrubs. A shrub is a woody plant that is similar to a tree. They typically have several main stems and fall under the broad height range. There are tons of different types of shrubs you can choose from, which can be a bit intimidating at first if you aren’t experienced in gardening and landscaping. That’s why we’ve created the following guide for adding shrubs to your landscaping.

1. Think About the Shrub’s Purposes

You can purchase shrubs for a lot of different purposes. Before you choose a shrub based on its appearance, you should first consider what the function of the shrub will be. For example, you should think about whether or not you need a shrub that provides coverage all year long. If you want to add color to your landscaping with a certain shade of blooms from your shrubs, it’s a good idea to determine that at the beginning of the process. If you are using them for privacy on your lawn, you might want to choose leafier shrubs. The more you can think about what the purpose of your shrub will be ahead of time, the easier the rest of the process will be. This step can also help you with narrowing down the selection of all of the different types of shrubs.

2. Do Some Research

The next step for adding shrubs to your landscaping is to take the time to research any species of shrubs you are looking to add. You might want to read up on whether or not certain shrub species will do well in your climate. You can also find out about a shrub’s benefits, problems, and special qualities that you should look out for. If you are looking for a shrub that you can prune, you should confirm it before you plant it anywhere in your landscaping. It’s quite common for shrubs to grow quickly outside of their initial planting area. Some shrubs are much harder to prune and care for than others, which is why it’s so important to take the researching seriously. The last thing you want is a deformed shrub in your front lawn simply because you didn’t know they were hard to care for.

3. Think Differently

There are plenty of shrubs that appear in landscaping all over the United States. They are so common because they are certainly great choices. Shrubs like yews, boxwoods, hydrangeas, and roses are all pretty commonly used in landscaping to great success. However, if you think outside of the box, you can use shrubs to completely transform your landscaping and to make a real statement. Thinking differently can lead you to select shrubs that provide beautiful fragrances, amazing blooms, and sometimes even berries.

4. Maintain Your Shrubs

After you have selected the right shrub for your landscaping and planted it, you should give it the love and care it needs to flourish in your garden. Trimming, watering, and fertilizing are all important steps for keeping your shrubs looking great. Things can get out of hand quickly if you don’t maintain your shrubs. If you have any questions about landscaping or if you are looking for the best landscaping products on the market, contact Cal Blend Soils inc. We can help you purchase the products you need to keep your shrubs and landscaping in top form.

Common Shrub Problems

As with anything in landscaping, keeping things looking great requires some effort and knowledge. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. There are plenty of common shrub problems that our customers tell us about, so don’t be surprised if you run into issues with your shrubs at some point. Keep reading on below to learn about some of the most common shrub problems.

1. Yellow or Brown Leaves

If you are planting shrubs in your front or back yard, there’s a good chance you are looking for some aesthetically pleasing plants. One of the most common shrub problems involves yellow or brown leaves. This could mean that your shrub is dying and needs some emergency help to be salvaged.

2. Unwanted Growth on Shrubs

Sometimes, shrubs like the Rose of Sharon can receive unwanted growths that many landscapers consider to be eyesores. On the Rose of Sharon, these are actually seedlings that can be used start additional shrubs. However, other shrubs will receive strange lumps that are not seedlings. This is another reason why it pays to read up on the different types of shrubs.

3. Shrubs Aren’t Blooming

Many times, landscapers purchase shrubs for their beautiful blooms. However, sometimes they will plant their shrub and wait for months without any blooms. This isn’t necessarily a life-threatening problem for your shrubs, but it can certainly be frustrating. You should probably test the soil where your shrub is located and purchase soil additives to improve the quality of the soil if you run into this problem.

We hope this guide to shrubs has given you some great information on how to add this wonderful plant into your gardening or landscaping. They can really transform the appearance of your yard while also serving a helpful purpose if you choose wisely. Remember to do the necessary work ahead of time prior to choosing a type of shrub to ensure that you make the right decision. If you have any other questions about shrubs or would like to purchase the best landscaping products on the market, contact Cal Blend Soils Inc. today.