Shrubs

A shrub is just a more formal, horticultural term describing a plant having multiple stems that grows smaller than a tree, typically under 15 feet tall. Shrubs are often intentionally shaped, pruned, and used in landscaping for their structure, as hedges, or for ornamental purposes. A bush, on the other hand, is a more casual term that usually refers to a naturally growing, less-maintained shrub. Bushes tend to have a wilder appearance, growing freely without regular trimming or shaping.

The ideal time to prune depends on whether your shrub blooms on old or new wood. Spring-flowering shrubs, such as forsythia or azalea, should be pruned immediately after they bloom. In contrast, summer or fall bloomers, like butterfly bush or crape myrtle, can be pruned in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Pruning at the right time promotes healthy structure, prevents disease, and encourages fuller flowering each year.

One easy-care option is the Wax Leaf Privet. It thrives in both sun and shade, grows quickly into a lush hedge, and requires only light trimming once or twice a year to maintain its tidy appearance. For color and beauty with minimal effort, the Pink Weigela is also a top pick. It blooms profusely each spring with pink trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and requires little more than annual pruning after flowering.