Shrubs

In some garden books, larger-growing herbaceous (i.e. non-woody) are grouped with the shrubs, but here "shrub" will be used to describe a plant with woody stem(s) that is bushy down to the ground.

Most shrubs as they're typically grown in gardens range from ground-hugging (prostrate) up to 2-3m. Some "shrub" species which can tend to climb or become trees if left to their own devices are kept smaller with regular cutting back.

Conversely, some shrubby plants can be trained as small trees with appropriate pruning. Select one or a few main stems to form the trunk(s) and progressively removing lower branches over time until the canopy reaches the desired height.

Shrubs are also the raw material for hedges and topiary, created by regular trimming.

On the other hand, by growing shrubby plants informally (i.e. in a more natural style) they won't need as much maintenance over the long term. They may still benefit from occasional pruning to keep them dense and train them within the desired height and width.

News

Shrubs' Keys to Success

Shrubs occur on 40% of Earth's land surface, making them more common than trees at 28%. Theoretical modelling has shown that it is the multistemmed nature of shrubs that makes then so successful. For a given volume of above-ground wood, the greater cross-sectional area at the base means water and nutrients can be transported faster to the leaves. The larger area of bark, from which buds sprout, is also believed to be advantageous because a canopy of twigs and leaves can be developed faster. Trees can ultimately attain the height that allow them to compete, but not before the faster shrubs have flowered and spread their seed. The growth form of shrubs are also better suited to extreme environments. Source: Shrubs More Expansive Than Trees (September 2016)