Definition:
Shrubs are low woody plants, sometimes with multiple shoots or stems from the base (as is the case with spirea bushes, for example), that attain a height of 15 feet or less at maturity.
But in cases where a plant has a single trunk rather than multiple stems, how do we know if it's a shrub or a tree? Well, while the distinction shouldn't be pushed too far (since there are exceptions), 2 qualities are generally considered to make a plant a tree rather than a shrub:
- The mature plant has a single, erect trunk measuring 9 1/2 inches or more in circumference at breast level (i.e., approximately 4 1/2 feet above the ground)
- The plant displays a prominent leafy crown
A planting of shrubs is called "shrubbery."
Uses for shrubs are numerous and span the interests of all sorts of homeowners, from casual gardeners to aficionados of niche outdoor pursuits; for example, shrubs are used:
- To achieve privacy in a yard
- As specimen plants
- To create four-season interest in the yard
- In plantings for soil erosion prevention
- As plants that attract butterflies and birds
More Examples of Shrubs
Also Known As: bushes (especially a shrub with branches rising from or near the root; but "bush" can also refer to a cluster of shrubs, as in a "thicket")
Common Misspellings: scrubs
Examples:
Shrubs are sometimes planted in a line (along a property border, for example) to form a hedge.
