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"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges
of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom."
~Audra Foveo
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Shrubs provide cover, nesting opportunities and food (such as berries or nectar).
They provide another layer in the habitat, and more choices for the wildlife. Like trees, shrubs can also be evergreen or deciduous. Good designs incorporate a variety of textures as well as
sizes and shapes into a harmonious painting.
Evergreen shrubs have five basic growth patterns: low and trailing,
medium spreading, horizontal spreading, round compact and upright.
Deciduous shrubs have four basic growth patterns:
Arching branches, erect, rounded and spreading.
There are so many choices! Take a look at some of the more popular
shrubs that wildlife love...
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Blueberry (Vacciniumsp.) Bushes can grow up to 15'
tall. They have cute 1/4" white or pinkish blossoms in late spring. The blue berries follow. Foliage turns a brilliant
scarlet in the fall. For winter interest, the twigs remain a bright red color.
Butterfly Bush
(Buddleja sp.) This is a flowering shrub, available for zones 6-9. As the name states, it is a huge butterfly attractor.
Needs full sun in well drained soil. This plant likes to show off, so give it some space.
Dogwood
(Cornussp.) Great as a specimen plant. Dogwoods grow from 7-25' tall. They prefer full sun to partial shade.
Some species have red berries, red leaves and red twigs in the fall and winter.
Elderberry (Sambucas
canadensis) This bush get about 8' tall and has 8-12" clusters of tiny white flowers midsummer. Later it will
have edible berries (for you and the wildlife!) Elderberry berries are said to have healing properties, boosting your immune
system and thwarting illness. Plant in full sun in moist soil.
Holly (Ilex sp.) Evergreen.
There are female and male species of holly. Both are required to produce the fall berries, otherwise, they are nice evergreen
shrubs. Zone 7-9. Ilex Aquifolium 'Amber' is almost a sticker free version, and has a very good
berry showing in the fall (if a male and female are planted close.)
Juniper (Juniperussp.)
Evergreen. Junipers are anywhere from 1' to 20' tall. They have dense blue-green foliage and grow in well drained
soil. Be aware of the pruning needs, there are some Junipers that need constant pruning.
Pine
(Pinussp.) Evergreen. Pines grow from 6' to 40' tall. Many pines have a more rounded shape, and bundles of
needles. Pines are very slow growing.
Sumac (Rhus sp.) Sumac gets about 8' tall.
It loves full sun and well drained soil. It is fairly quick growing. They make a wonderful fall show with their yellow and
red foliage.
Viburnum (Viburnum sp.) Viburnum's are available in deciduous or evergreen.
It comes in such a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Birds love them for the shelter it provides. Some species even provide
berries.
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