Shrubs and Vines

While it’s easy enough to say that shrubs are perennial plants with woody stems, further definition can be confusing.

Shrubs can block out an undesirable view, mark a property line, or hide a vegetable garden or work area. Shrubs lend height and substance and supplement the color scheme with their own flowers, foliage, or fruits.

An evergreen shrub retains its foliage year-round.

Conifers:
These evergreens vary from prostrate to near tree-size. These are especially useful for creating permanent garden structures that look good all year.

Although we expect conifers to have green foliage, they exhibit a surprising range of color, from blackish green through brighter shades of golden green, bright yellow, blue-gray, and purplish bronze. Some change color with the seasons, becoming purple or brown in the winter.

Broad-leaved evergreens:
Broad-leaved shrubs are known for their versatility. Some can be trained as hedges or screens while others are noted for their flowers and foliage colors.

Deciduous shrubs are mainly known for their flowers.

There are early spring bloomers, mid- to late spring bloomers, and summer bloomers. It is possible to get a large range of color throughout all the seasons.

Colorful fall foliage is another glory of deciduous shrubs.