Questions tagged [shrubs]

Another name for a bush - shorter than a tree and with multiple stems. Use this tag with questions about caring, propagating and indentifying shrubs.

Shrubs are bushes. Unlike s, shrubs have multiple and are shorter - usually under 5-6 m tall. A large number of plants can be grown as shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions.

Horticulturally, shrubs are usually broad-leaved plants, although smaller conifers (e.g. Common Juniper) can be grown with a shrub shape and structure.

Botany and ecology have stricter definitions, and ecology uses these along with cover to define different kinds of landscape (e.g. "open-scrub", "low shrubland");

Use this tag for general questions about shrubs, shrubberies, and choosing shrubs for a particular location. Species/variety specific questions should use the specific plant tags instead.

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What is a good shrub for privacy for the Pacific Northwest USA?

I live in Seattle WA and am looking for some ideas on what type of hedge/shrub to grow near my fence to increase privacy. Some requirements: Grow fast (to about 10' or so) Stay pretty even in winter (evergreenish) Something bluish would be…
swinefeaster
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Can I trim this shrub into a spiral shape?

I have these 2 shrubs (circled in red) that I need to trim. I'm wondering if I can turn them into/trim it into a spiral shape (like in the 2nd photo). I'm finding it very difficult to find what kind of shrubs I have and if it's possible to do…
lsiunsuex
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Help me identify and how to manage, this shrub in my new house yard

Help me identify this shrub in my new house yard. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in USDA hardiness zone 6/7. Should I cut it back? When should I do that? Also how can I propagate it? Picture of plant in bloom:
user2290
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How do I kill a butterfly bush so it stays dead?

I have four Butterfly Bushes (Buddleja davidii) in my yard from a previous owner. I believe two are the Black Knight cultivar, but I'm not sure what the other two are. I spend a lot of time every year keeping them (and their dozens of offspring)…
Niall C.
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Are blackberries hard to control?

I just planted two unnamed blackberry cultivars in a raised bed with rhubarb surrounded by flagstone. It seemed like a good idea at the time but now based on a remark about how they are a "nightmare to control" I'm having second thoughts. Do they…
kevinskio
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What is this shrub with pink buds that open into green leaves?

I just bought my house last summer and I have no idea what this bush in my yard is that has pink buds that open into green leaves. I live in Michigan where we've had a cold spring so it's just now starting to leaf out.
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What is this pale mint green shrub with hay-colored booms from Tenerife, Canary Islands?

What is this pale mint green shrub that has hay-colored booms? It seems to thrive on lava fields and develops lignified stems. It can be found around 28.266°,-16.588° in Teide National Park on Tenerife of the Canary Islands. EDIT: With the plant…
dakab
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What is this plant/bush found in Eastern Europe?

Does anybody know what this plant is? I took these pictures today in Moldova, Eastern Europe. it's a bush, 1.5 meters tall, the leave size of my hand, there were more of them growing from the root have been cut off, haven't seen any flowers yet,…
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Are there any ways to cut back sea buckthorn, other than brute force?

Today I was part of a volunteer team that cut back just over 800 square metres (roughly 8600 sq. ft.) of sea buckthorn encroaching onto a nature reserve, which basically came down to lopping and sawing, while avoiding getting covered in thorn…
Rory Alsop
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How long does it take a mock-orange bush to flower?

I have a four year old mock-orange that is eight feet (2.4m) tall and six feet (1.8m) wide, and I'm getting impatient for some flowers. It's planted in partial shade in a valley. I prune it in winter. I do not fertilize it because the soil is…
J. Musser
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How do I prune my mop-head hydrangea?

I have a five year old Annabelle Hydrangea that is getting bushy. I have lightly pruned it in the past, but I don't know really know how I am supposed to do it. It is about 4' high and 6' wide. How do I prune it to optimize the flowering?
J. Musser
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What is this small shrub with variegated glossy ovate leaves?

My mother has this plant on her window sill and we don't know what species it is. All I know is that it resisted temperatures below 0°C this winter. Any idea? I can take other pictures if necessary.
Augustin
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What does 'standard' mean when referring to shrubs and vines?

I often see shrubs and vines for sale labeled as 'standards'. What does that mean? Examples: Roses Rose of Sharon Trumpet Vine Wisteria And so on.
J. Musser
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What landscaping and erosion control ideas can I use on a hillside with sandy soil?

I am having problems with erosion and can not keep anything on it. I am looking for any ideas to help control this problem. I had a Landscaper come out to look at it and it will cost me up to $50,000 to fix. I just don't have that kind of money.
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What is this woody plant?

I just dug up this tree (I think it is a tree), and I wanted to know if someone could help me identify it. Click for larger images. This woody plant was growing in Illinois near some marshy land before it was dug up. The specific location…
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