Shrubs Provide Color, Texture for Landscape
Sylvia J. Barnes
Texture, color, sunlight and shade are all elements of effective landscaping. These elements can be achieved by the choices and placement of shrubs, trees, vines, flowers and herbs. Comfy benches under leafy shade trees; stone stepping tiles strategically placed in luscious flower beds; and refreshing water features add even more interest to the landscape. The all-important shrub often serves as a landscaping centerpiece.
The Burning Bush is a well-known and admired centerpiece shrub that floods the landscape with a spectacular display of red during the fall months. The large round bush is at home in just about any landscape.
China Holly, with its evergreen leaves and red berries, can always be counted on for cheerful color contrast during the winter months. This shrub is a good choice for northern climates with a long winter.
Enjoying a colorful landscape year-round is an easy task when you plant shrubs that bloom more than one season of the year. In May the Purple Sand Cherry boasts bright flowers and in the fall and early winter months it share purple foliage.
Shrubs Make Good Fences
Shrubs aren't just eye candy in the landscape. The versatility of shrubs makes them a practical choice. Shrubs make excellent hedges for showcasing a specific area or garden. Flowers and ground cover can be planted around the shrub to create texture and break up large lawns that require a lot of mowing. Shrubs make good fences and dividers, and can be used to camouflage the unsightly foundation of a house or other areas.
Topiaries, which are shrubs that have been clipped into a shape, are wonderful conversation pieces and an exciting addition to any landscape. With a little practice, anyone can acquire the skills to create and maintain the topiaries.
One of the advantages of shrubbery is the low care and maintenance. They do not require as much work as most annual flowers, and are not as delicate and finicky. The exception is that some shrubs do have to be pruned regularly.
Travelers and vacationers who spend time away from home especially appreciate high-color, but low-maintenance shrubs. Two stunningly beautiful, easy-care bushes are the classic Bougainvillea with bright red leaves, and the Mentor Barberry.
Shrubs Come in Many Sizes and Shapes
You'll want to choose shrubs that are the appropriate height and width for the area where you are going to plant them. Since you'll plant the shrub when it's young, think ahead to how the bush will look after it's grown and is mature. Shrubs can range from short and bushy to tall and slender. Obviously, if you want to cover a large wide area, you'll want to choose a larger bushy shrub. The Smooth Hydrangea is a taller shrub that grows to be about three to five feet tall. The Chinese Juniper is another tall shrub that can grow to a height of eight feet.
Landscaping options are unlimited and many plants besides shrubs can play a part in the big picture. For an example, vines against a wall or fence make an excellent backdrop for colorful flowers. Use your imagination and have fun with your landscaping.
About the Author:
|
