Landscaping Shrubs Designs - How to Choose a Shrub
Many elements go into creating a great landscape design, such as flowers, walkways, fruit
trees, ponds, fountains and so on. Very seldom, though, will you find an attractive scene that
does not include an assortment of shrubs and bushes. Consider what kinds of colors and
shapes will work well in your space when selecting shrubs.
A great looking shrub that stands out and makes a nice focal point for a certain area is the
Burning Bush. These big round bushes with their beautiful red coloring are great for summer and
fall.
If you’re looking for something that looks great with the snow of winter or to contrast the
white of a house or fence, then consider the China Holly. These attractive bushes have bright
red berries mixed in with their evergreen foliage and add a nice splash of color during the winter
months.
Shrubs have many practical uses besides being pleasing to the eye. A row of shrubs is perfect
for hiding the foundation of your house or dressing up the edge of a sidewalk or driveway. They
also make a nice center piece for a circular garden design with other plants and flowers all
around them. The most common type of shrub is the non-poisonous sumac, which is used in
numerous landscaping designs.
If you want to get really creative, you can trim your shrubs into some interesting and
attractive shapes. This is an art form known as ‘topiary’. The gardens of Versailles has some
great examples of this if you have the opportunity to check out some pictures. The only
problem with doing this is that the effort required to maintain the shapes is quite extensive.
Height is an important factor to consider when choosing shrubs. The smooth Hydrangea will
grow from 3-5 feet high. A taller choice is the Chinese Juniper, which reaches from 5-8 feet
high. If you’re looking for something a bit smaller to fit in a certain space, consider a Cranberry
Cotoneaster or a Dwarf Honeysuckle. Both usually only grow to 3 feet high.
If a low maintenance shrub is what you’re looking for, consider the Bougainvillea. This shrub is
very hardy and can do well even in drought prone areas. There is also little pruning required. A
Mentor Barberry is a bit larger and is also very hardy and easy to care for.
A great shrub for different seasons is the Purple Sand Cherry, which produces flowers in the
spring and attractive cherry berries in the fall. The foliage is purple and will last even into the
winter.
If you’re looking to accent your shrub design, consider adding some vines to create a unique
look. These also provide a variety of options to choose from. A trellis against a wall with a
climbing vine winding through it makes a breathtaking scene.
With landscaping, you can let your imagination grow out of control.
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