Shrubs can make your landscape not only more beautiful but also more usable . They add visual interest and texture to your outdoor quad while serving practical purpose , such as providing privacy or shade .

However , with so many shrub useable , choosing the one that will befit your taste and oppose your landscape design can take a mess of time and effort . To hotfoot up the natural selection process and facilitate you make an informed conclusion , discover some of the safe landscaping bush and turn your yard into a visually stunning haven .

Boxwood

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Boxwoods are a democratic landscaping shrub used to add together bodily structure and elegance to landscapes . The most commonly usedspecies as a landscaping shrubis   Buxus sempervirens , also cognise as uncouth boxwood . It has small , sheeny , dark green leaf and can grow around 15 feet tall .

Boxwood prefers well - enfeeble soil and partial shade but can also put up full sun , requiring a minimum of four hr a Clarence Day . Water it deep once a workweek and more frequently during periods of drouth , such as two to three times weekly . Pruning is essential to preserve its shape and size , and it ’s best to do this task in former winter or other spring before new outgrowth begins . When pruning , expend sharp shears and avoid cutting into onetime forest , as it can damage the plant .

Hosta edging along the garden border

Boxwood is normally used forhedges , as you may shape it into a conventional or informal borderline , depending on your visual sensation . you may also employ it to create topiaries or other decorative flesh . Plus , it is great for container or planting beds , providing twelvemonth - stave verdure .

Holly

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Hollyis a Hellenic and versatile landscaping shrub known for its glossy , dark green leaves that are typically peaky and prickly . The species most often utilized in landscape gardening is   Ilex aquifolium ,   also called common holly . This type also produces pocket-size , white flowers in the spring , keep abreast by undimmed red berries in the fall .

Holly is a hardy plant that can slowly rise up to 30 base tall . It prefers somewhat acidic soil with dependable drainage and benefits from a layer of organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds . Unlike boxwood , it benefits from a slightly shelter location with fond shade . For the establishment period , water it once a calendar week . As it becomes established , concentrate the frequency to once every two week or whenever the dirt feel dry to the touch . Generally , it should be enough to moisten the soil to a profundity of 6 to 8 inches . Prune it in late wintertime or early springiness to promote shaggy-coated growth and remove dead or diseased outgrowth .

Gravel garden with plants and walkway

There are many ways to incorporate holly into your landscape painting . One option is to use it as a specimen plant , where it can be the focal point of a garden or used to create a dramatic effect . Holly can also be planted in chemical group of three or more to create a hoi polloi planting that provides a lush backdrop for other plants .

Azaleas

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Azaleasadds color and texture to your landscape . They are known for their splashy , funnel - forge bloom that bloom in a variety of semblance , including pink , red , purple , and white . These shrubs are resistant to most pests and diseases , making them an splendid choice if you do n’t want to pass a band of sentence working in the garden .

To develop vibrant azaleas , choose the right locating and soil . They opt well - draining , acidic filth with a pH between 4.5 and 6.0 . They also choose partial shade , as too much Lord’s Day can scorch their leaves and bloom . Generally , azaleas call for about 1 in ofwater per week . you’re able to achieve this through a combination of rainfall and supplemental watering . If there is no rain , water deeply once a week , providing enough piss to saturate the root zone . Pruning is generally not necessary , but you’re able to remove numb or diseased branches in former wintertime or other bounce to upgrade new increase .

Elephant ears with stunning large foliage

One of the best ways to follow up azalea into your landscaping is by growing them as a foundation plant , where they create a colourful border around your place . They are also an first-class option for creating a focal point in your garden or adding a splash of color to a shady corner .

Abelia

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Abelia is a various and fragrant shrub known for its beautiful leaf and soft flowers . One of its most common species is shining abelia ( Abelia x grandiflora ) .   Its leaves are glossy and gloomy fleeceable but turn bronze or purpleness in the decline , while flower are small and aromatic , with colors stray from pinkish to white .

To ensure the plant thrives , plant it in well - draining soil rich in constitutive thing . Abelia prefers partial to full sun exposure but can tolerate tad as well . When pruning abelia , the key is to strike a balance between shaping the plant and preserving its raw form . Lightly lop in the former spring can help to promote new growth and maintain its shape , but be heedful not to over - prune as this can weaken the plant .

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One pop way to use abelia is as a modest hedge or border plant . Its born physique and growth riding habit make it easy to work and maintain , and it can provide a beautiful backcloth for dissimilar plants . Or you could plant it around the base of your home for a beautiful and hardheaded barrier between your firm and the surrounding landscape painting .

Elevate Your Landscaping Game With Shrubs

Picking the proper bush for your landscape is critical to creating a beautiful and functional outside space . Boxwood , Holly , azaleas , and Abelia are just a few of the best options available . These shrub provide visual interest while do practical purposes , such as providing privacy , tincture , or colourful borderline . With proper care and maintenance , they can thrive and heighten the knockout of your garden yr - rotund .

What other shrub do you recommend growing ? commentary below , and as always , please share !

multiple boxwood shrubs growing in ground

Holly green foliage with red berries. Ilex aquifolium or Christmas holly tree, closeup. Green leaves and red berry Christmas holly, close up. Holly green leaves with red berries, close up.

Stewartstonian Azalea red flowers

Abelia shrub