A shrub is much more than “a low multi-trunked woody plant” that is used to plop in the landscape between trees, flowers, and lawns. Once established, a shrub may be with you for life, unlike an easy-come, easy-go annual.  This is especially true for a sustainable garden. Shrubs can surprise us with their individuality, while manufacturing oxygen, mitigating noise, defining spaces and boundaries, and providing shelter and food for our winged friends. 

Fall is an ideal time to plant shrubs in your yard. But before you do, there are several things to consider. The placement in the sun or shade and the shrub’s water requirements come first. Maybe you are planting shrubs as a border, or to create a space or outdoor “room,” and already know that size and height are important. Decide whether you prefer deciduous or evergreen shrubs and what that entails. Envision the mature shape and habitat, like an artist would, to create the look you want in your yard, be it mounding or weeping, upright or spreading, or a more formal upright look. Consider not simply the contrast brought by the colors of the leaves, which can range from gold, bronze, blue-gray, and red to all the shades of green, but also their sizes, textures, and shapes. The bark and branch structure of a deciduous shrub can be interesting too, especially during winter months after the leaves have dropped. 

Put your shrubs where each will be enjoyed the most, with groupings more pleasing to the eye than a series of one-of-a-kind. Perhaps consider which plants are most attractive to butterflies, bees, and birds when choosing shrubs at the nursery. Or look for shrubs that will have edible fruit, such as Meiwa kumquats or Meyer lemons. There are woody, evergreen shrubs that are useful as herbs in the kitchen as well, such as rosemary, Mexican oregano, or Georgia savory.

Digging a hole twice the size of the root ball and applying mulch on top after planting are tasks important to ensure that the shrubs have a good start.  Add soil amendments as needed. Check the pH of your soil.  It is critical for the well-being of many shrubs. The water needs of a shrub will be greatest in its early months, but after it is established, many can prove to be very drought tolerant. The use of a drip irrigation system will direct water to the root ball for the most economical use of your resources. 

Your time commitment to pruning will be less than you think.  This holds true, if you don’t “fight” with each shrub trying to make it something it is not. Familiarize yourself with its species and what to expect from it. Pruning at the proper time can enhance flower production. However, if you prune at the wrong time, you may have no flowers until the next year. In most cases “drastic” pruning just encourages rank growth. If unsure of how much to prune, remember the adage to not prune more than one third of the mass of the shrub at one time. Just remember if you cut it you can’t glue it back. Most shrubs grow larger and more beautiful each year, with no more than the removal of dead wood and a few cuts made to direct growth.  

Remember when you plant the right plant in the right place, you and the plant will be happy!Consider