From weeping cherry trees to hickory trees, to fiddle leaf fig trees, if you’re looking for how to take care of trees and bushes, then you’ve come to the right place! Try reading our articles on trimming arborvitae or trimming boxwood. Or learn about the beauty of Jacaranda trees.
Bushes and trees aren’t necessarily always the showstopper of a property, but they are necessary to provide a grounding element to allow for other plants to really pop out.
We all know what a tree looks like – A thick, woody trunk with many smaller branches that stem out of it. As plants with tall heights and long lifespans, they are essential to adding a vertical element to your yard. Because of the bark that surrounds them as a protective layer and thick roots that anchor it strongly into the ground, they can stand up to the elements that provide a constancy that many other plants cannot provide. Many trees also have flowers that can add a pop of color to your property.
Bushes and shrubs, on the other hand, help provide structure to your yard. Like trees, they also are woody-stemmed plants, but they are different because of their multiple stems and also shorter heights. There is no formal definition to differentiate a shrub versus a tree, but typically they are shorter than about 15 feet.
Using both trees and bushes on a property is important for good design. Keep browsing below to see our different guides about taking care of and maintaining them. Also make sure to check out the rest of our articles.
A jacaranda tree adds amazing color to your yard, putting on a striking show of purple to signify the arrival of spring. This hardy tree does best in subtropical and tropical climates making it best suited for USDA zones 9 through 11. Mature trees grow quickly, reaching 40 feet tall and 60 feet wide.
Also known as a Chinese banyan tree, the Indian laurel fig is an evergreen species that retain their glossy green foliage year round. The bark is smooth and light gray, and the wood considered softer and weak because of the tree’s fast growth rate. A unique root system makes this tree one to remember. Aerial roots form from the branches, hanging down to the ground and rooting, doubling or tripling the width of the tree’s trunk.
Popular as a backdrop to pools and other water features, the pygmy date palm reaches its full height of 8 to 12 feet in 5 to 10 years. Native to subtropical areas, they grow best in zones 10 and 11, unable to tolerate frost on cold nights. In colder climates they can be grown in containers and overwintered indoors as a houseplant.
The Chinese elm grows as both a deciduous and evergreen tree, depending upon the climate where it’s grown. In warm areas it lives as an evergreen, maintaining its glossy dark green leaves year round. In colder climates, the leaves on the long arching branches turn bright shades of purple, yellow, and red, falling to the ground as temperatures drop. Trees can live from 50 to 150 years when properly cared for.
One of the most popular ornamental palms used in landscaping, the Queen Palm tolerate a variety of climates in hardiness zones 9 to 11. Specimens grow about 6 feet per year, topping out around 50 feet tall and spanning 25 feet wide. Fronds grow out of the top of the trunk to form the distinguishable “crown”.
A faux fiddle leaf fig tree is a great alternative to a true fiddle leaf fig, requiring very little care. These artificial plants have a realistic look and help to pull together a living space. Large, waxy leaves appear very lifelike and help to drawn attention to surrounding decor.
Japanese Maple trees add elegance and stunning color to landscape with their brilliant shades of red and green. Available in sizes from dwarf species to standard varieties that reach 25-feet tall, there is a variety suitable for every space. These slow-growing trees only grow 1 to 2 feet a year and are cold hardy down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Growing 3-5 feet a year, and topping out at 60 feet tall, Green Giant arborvitae are perfect for hedges and privacy screens. They stay full and green year-round and are resistant to insect pest problems, as well as deer. These evergreens are adaptable to most hardiness zones if they have well-draining soil and plenty of room to grow.
Living in the desert doesn’t mean your garden has to be barren of fruit trees. Certain varieties of plum, apple, pomegranate, and peach thrive in the arid climates. Look for varieties with low-chill requirements that produce fruit that ripens before hot summer temperatures. Regardless of the type, make sure it’s given plenty of water and appropriate care.
The narrow pyramidal shape and decorate fan-shaped leaves of the Emerald Cedar make it a popular arborvitae species in landscapes. These plants thrive in growing zones 2 to 7, and grow to about 15 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Younger plants have a bright-yellow green foliage that deepens to emerald green with age.
It may sound unconventional, but rotting a tree stump out of the ground is a great alternative if grinding or burning it out isn’t feasible. After drilling holes into the stump, different chemicals are put into the holds to disintegrate the wood. This process needs to be repeated every month and can take up to 12 months to rot a stump to its roots.
Desert dwellers aren’t limited to cacti and native grasses in their landscapes. There are numerous trees such as the desert willow, sweet acacia, and Texas mountain laurel that thrive in arid, hot climates. Different varieties are available in varying heights, flowers colors, and growth habits.
The best time of year to plant bushes and trees is early to mid fall, giving the plant time to establish a healthy root system before spring. If this isn’t possible aim to plant in early spring just after the lost winter frost when the ground thaws. Planting in the summer leads to short roots that grow close to the surface.
The gigantic, glossy leaves on the fiddle leaf fig make it an impressive houseplant. It can add character to the surrounding decor, while highlighting the plant’s beautiful features. Incorporate them into interior design to foster relaxation, create an illusion of movement, or help shrink high ceilings.
Trimming boxwoods properly is key to keeping shrubs beautiful and healthy. Prune once a year in the spring using pruning shears, loppers, or hedge trimmers. Perform touch ups through mid-summer if necessary. Immediately remove dead or deceased branches.
Seeing your arborvitae trees turn brown is quite disheartening. They may turn brown naturally due to seasonal needle drop or because of fungal diseases, winter burn, and pests. Understanding why it’s turning brown is essential to keep it from reoccurring.
Boxwoods are incredible versatile, evergreen shrubs that maintain green foliage all year. There are over 90 species, and 365 different varieties. The most common types are divided into 5 subcategories: small-leaved, Japanese, Korean, common, and hybrid cultivars. Read on to find out more about the 15 most popular types.
Plant boxwood in late winter or early spring in a spot that gets a combination of sun and shade. These slow-growing evergreen shrubs grow best when sheltered from the intense afternoon sun. The soil should be neutral to slightly alkaline and drains well. They make great borders or backdrops and can be shaped into topiary forms.
Arborvitae are common landscape plants as they are easy to care for and resistant to insect and disease problems. The most popular types are Emerald Green, Green Giant, Firechief, American, Dwarf Golden, Golden Globe, and North Pole. Each type has its own striking characteristics that make it popular.
Ash trees are exceptional, medium to large sized trees suited for growing in USDA zones 2 through 9. They are identifiable by their opposite branching — each limb has a mate protruding from the opposite side of the trunk. Older trees are recognizable by the diamond bark pattern.