How to make shrub planting, pruning and care more fun and less of a burden
Shrubs are important foundations to many home and commercial landscapes, and often get overlooked and ignored in existing landscapes. In some ways this is the goal – select and plant the right shrub, then ‘let it be’ with minimal care. If the chosen plant is well-adapted to the local climate, grows to the correct size at maturity, and is planted properly, shrubs should not need regular, extensive effort to keep them healthy and attractive.
However, shrubs often get too large (because of poor plant selection) and cover up windows, porches and pathways, or are simply old and overgrown for the site (after many years they need to be replaced or cut back to rejuvenate).
This can cause shrubs to be a hindrance to an attractive landscape instead of adding to the home’s beauty.
Do some research when planting new shrubs to select dwarf, well-adapted varieties that will thrive and grow to a nice size and shape for the space. Some examples include dwarf yaupon holly, dwarf Indian hawthorn, and dwarf euonymus.
Another way that shrubs can be a burden in a landscape is extensive shaping and pruning. Again, choosing the right plant in the first place can greatly reduce the need for maintenance.
Choose shrubs that grow to the desired size at maturity and let them stay in their natural shape and form to reduce or eliminate shearing and pruning. Unless every plant is pruned into the exact same shape and size, it can be very unattractive to sculpt shrubs into spheres or other shapes.
Just because something is frequently done in many landscapes doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for every yard.
Aesthetics and what looks good to someone is subjective, so do what works for you and what you enjoy. But don’t feel like you have to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ and keep shrubs molded and sheared just because it’s done everywhere else. Personally, I enjoy the natural form with infrequent, light pruning in most cases. Shaped/hedged/sheared is generally a more formal look and is sometimes needed for a specific appearance or theme.
One practice to definitely never copy is topping of trees. Topping is an unnecessary, poor pruning practice and is especially common in crape myrtles. Not only does it NOT increase flowering of crape myrtles, it can delay flowering and cause stress and structural issues.
Save the date for the spring Earth-Kind Landscaping Seminar, Wednesday, March 23, 6 p.m. at the Tom Green 4H Center. We will discuss best landscaping practices for the Concho Valley that promote beautiful, functional landscapes while protecting the environment and natural resources. Details TBA, visit tomgreen.agrilife.org.
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Allison Watkins is the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent for horticulture in Tom Green County. Contact her at aewatkins@ag.tamu.edu.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Planting and pruning shrubs doesn't have to be a burden. Here's how.
