The Types, Sizes & Characteristics of Bushes

Evergreen and Deciduous

• Evergreen shrubs do not drop their leaves in winter. They can be either broadleaf or have needle-like leaves. Probably the most common broadleaf evergreen shrub is the boxwood, although pyracantha, natal plum and holly are widely used in some areas. Junipers are by far the most common coniferous evergreen shrubs. There are 70 species and hundreds of varieties of juniper for almost any landscape situation. Deciduous shrubs lose their leaves in winter. Roses are the most common deciduous shrub,

Treelike Shrubs

• Upright or treelike shrubs have woodier, dividing branches. Some upright shrubs are columnar, maintaining a narrow silhouette. Many of these are conifers like arborvitae or upright junipers. Generally they are hybrid shrubs that have been bred for that characteristic. A treelike shrub that is neither columnar or spreading is the rose of Sharon. Rhododendron is a spreading treelike shrub. Treelike shrubs come in a variety of sizes but only those bred as dwarfs are very small.

Canelike Shrubs

• Canelike shrubs have many flexible branches that come from the ground up rather than branching treelike out of a main stem. Additional canes continue to come up from the roots, making the shrub larger and larger as time goes by. Some are stiff enough to stand erect like the Nandina and some arch to the ground. The forsythia is a classic example of this type of shrub. Raspberries and blackberries are also canelike shrubs.

Mounding Shrubs

• Mounding shrubs also generally have flexible branches but they grow closer to the ground. They can be globelike shrubs like spirea or more spreading ground-cover types like the low-growing cotoneasters. Many junipers are spreading, mounding shrubs. Mounding shrubs are often used as mass plantings. They tend to have delicate branching structure, small flowers and small leaves, which make them very effective in mass plantings.

Other Characteristics

• There are other characteristics of shrubs that determine their best use in the landscape. Flowering shrubs can be used as accents or in flower borders. Dense shrubs make good hedges, screens or topiary. Shrubs with thorns make an effective barrier to keep intruders out. Shrubs with colorful leaves or berries can contribute to fall color in the yard. There are several shrubs that are attractive to butterflies and birds, or that provide shelter for small animals. The extreme variation of shrubs make them one of the most versatile plant type in the landscape.