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What exactly is a shrub? A shrub is any woody plant that comes from several mains stems. They can go dormant and drop their leaves in the winter or they can maintain their leaves and color year round. So what exactly is the difference between a shrub and a bush? It is hard to define the difference between the two, however there are some regional preferences to how people choose to use the two terms. Some people consider a shrub to be any kind of plant grown in a garden, while other planted in the wild are bushed. Using this logic, you can think of a shrub as being a domestic bush. Others will say that the leaves of bushes usually touch the ground while shrubs can be taller with their main growth further off of the ground, you could say it’s depends on the landscaping contractor.

There are a few basics to consider when growing shrubs. You need to make sure the shrub you are planting is compatible with your environment and location. The shrub need to be able to grow within your designated growing zone, so if you are planning on growing a shrub in a container, it is a good idea to choose that shrub wisely. A suitable shrub could be one that is cold hardy to one zone lower because the roots will have less insulation that shrubs grown in the ground. You should also consider the amount of weather exposure your shrub will receive. Some shrubs will prefer full sun while others are better suited for 4-6 hours of partial shade per day. Flowering shrubs will need ample sunlight, and if you choose rob them of their access to natural light, they will not produce the flowers you are hoping for.

So how will you know which shrub is the right one to buy? Be sure to consider the size of the space you have for your shrub. You do not want to bring home a shrub that will quickly outgrow its space because this will lead to an unhealthy plant and will only lead to more issues for you down the road. Keep in mind that shrubs are fairly permanent plants so it is not a good idea to move them around to new habitats. Many of your favorite shrubs may be available in dwarf or compact sizes, so consider purchasing one of these if you don’t have a large growing space. You should also look for shrubs with good structure. Choosing a plant with lots of growth and good symmetry is a much healthier choice than choosing the tallest or largest shrub and tying to get the best bang for your buck.  It is also okay to take a look at the roots of your plant by gently pulling it out of its container. Having white or brown roots it a good sign that the shrub in question has healthy roots and will bound well with the soil. Overall, you should be looking for healthy green leaves and a planting location with thick, moist soil to provide optimal growing conditions for your new shrub.