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Wild shrubs that can be grown on your own site

This post covers the different wild shrubs that can be grown in gardens or outdoor living spaces. These shrubs are beneficial because they provide food and shelter to wildlife, require little maintenance and come in various shapes and sizes. The post provides detailed information about beneficiary shrubs, such as blueberries, holly, and snowberry, as well as their ideal growing environments. Additionally, it includes helpful tips on how to propagate and care for shrubs in order to maximize their benefits. In summary, this post is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to grow beneficial wild shrubs on their own site.

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Landscaping involves the use of not only cultivated plants, but also wild plants: with this group of shrubs and trees, you can create unique compositions, live fences, a background for flower beds. Shrubs are unpretentious, undemanding to external conditions, and some of them are even able to produce crops.

What are the shrubs

All plants fall into two broad categories:

  • Conifers. This group includes evergreen trees and shrubs with needles instead of leaves. Their main difference is undemanding to environmental conditions. In the wild, plants develop in the mountains, taiga more often, where there is little moisture and light. Junipers, arborvitae, cryptomeria have adapted to accumulate resources in order to survive in the most severe conditions..
  • Deciduous. This includes ornamental and fruit shrubs. In gardens, country groves barberry, lilac, viburnum, raspberry are often found.

Wild shrub plants for the garden

Arrangement of shrubs in the area

It is necessary to choose shrubs taking into account the climate, the characteristics of the site. To keep the garden well-groomed, give preference to plants that retain foliage during the spring-summer period. Some species, such as conifers, look bright and attractive throughout the year..

Rules for choosing wild bushes and creating a composition of them:

  • Plants look good alone or in a group. In the second case, it is better to plant 3-4 decorative shrubs nearby, for example: viburnum + honeysuckle + chokeberry + rosehip.
  • If the terrain allows, plant lush, sprawling trees; for small and medium-sized sites, miniature crops are suitable that can take any form. As a rule, such plants do not need to be trimmed often.
  • Use evergreen trees to create the background, with colorful, yellow, red accents.
  • Do not create contrasts: smooth color transitions look better.
  • When buying variegated plants, consider the lighting of the site: it is advisable to plant such trees in sunny places.

Lilac

Blooming lilac

A beautiful decorative bush, which in early summer attracts with aroma and bright flowering. Juicy green foliage persists until frost, so feel free to plant lilacs in a prominent place. It will look great next to viburnum, barberry, chokeberry. In a small area, you can plant Chinese lilacs, fragrant and bright clusters of which will lean to the ground.

Hazel

Hazel

Hazel develops well in the middle lane, the southern regions of Russia. Steadily survives cold if the temperature does not fall below –40 degrees. Hazel grows up to 7 m, depending on the formation of the crown can take the form of a bush or tree. The leaves are large, with a serrated edge, in the fall become bright yellow.

From July to September (depending on the variety) you can harvest. Adult spherical bushes are able to produce up to 3–8 kg of hazelnuts. So that the plants bear fruit well, try to plant hazel in open places, near other trees, in a site that is not exposed to floods.

Dogwood is brilliant

Dogwood is brilliant

Cornus sericea is a deciduous shrub with white berries, 3–6 m high, with juicy medium-sized leaves. In summer, white and yellowish flower-brushes appear, closer to autumn, small fruits ripen. The variety is common in North America, develops well on medium-fertile soils, is resistant to drought, lack of bright light, likes regular light moistening.

Diervilla (Diervilla)

Dierville

Not a spectacular, but resistant to temperature extremes and frost wild-growing plant. It adapts well to new conditions, it can be planted during the formation of hedges, to dilute bright floral arrangements. Dierville grows very quickly, has neat colorful foliage: orange, black, red varieties are often chosen for landscaping. In late July, you can enjoy the yellow flowering.

If you want to have a medium-sized bush on the plot, choose Dierville honeysuckle – Diervilla lonicera. The variety grows to 0.3-1.50 m – it all depends on the location and pruning. The foliage is shiny, green or copper in color, by the middle of summer tender yellow flowers appear. The plant can grow in any place, even with scanty soil and poor refreshment. Due to its unpretentiousness, the shrub grows well along the paths, along the perimeter of the site.

Hydrangea

Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens is widely distributed in North America. The Annabelle species is especially popular: it tolerates cold, heat, and high humidity. Thanks to these qualities, it is possible to plant flowering shrubs in different places: almost all summer they will delight the owners with an amazing appearance, aroma.

Chokeberry

Chokeberry

Aronia, or Aronia melanocarpa is found in the eastern United States and Canada. In spring, the plant is strewn with hundreds of white flowers with bright pink pollen; in autumn, dark blue, almost black berries appear that contrast beautifully with yellow, orange, red foliage.

Mountain ash is considered a perennial unpretentious plant: it can be planted in the shade, in the sun. The bush feels great on arid, moderately moist soil. Mountain ash does not take up much space on the site, using it is recommended to create low hedges. Periodic cropping is needed to form a beautiful crown..

Holly Holly

Holly Holly

Holly, or Ilex aquifolia, develops well in different climatic zones. Bushes can be small in size or grow up to trees. Holly holly is considered an evergreen plant, it survives fierce winters, heat, is resistant to diseases and pests. Often species are planted in garden plots with variegated shiny leaves (for example, Ilex Argentea Marginata), in the sinuses of which small red berries ripen.

Juniper

Juniper

A great option for the northern regions: the coniferous shrub has a bright lush crown, which persists until the frosts. On the garden plot you can plant common juniper, dwarf, horizontal or creeping – Juniperus communis, Good Vibrations, Juniperus horizontalis.

All of these species are resistant to adverse conditions, they easily survive harsh winters. Junipers have lush, soft-touch foliage, grow rapidly on a wide bed. For conifers to develop well, plant them in sunny places with dry soil.

Elder

Elder

Spectacular shrub with vertically growing branches, feels good in the sun, in the shade and partial shade, with high, medium humidity. In the first case, the height reaches 2.5 m, in the second – 4.5 m. In the middle of summer, flowers appear in the form of lush clusters that attract bees and other insects. At the end of the season, elderberries are strewn with small dark purple fruits that birds adore. People can also eat them..

You can create the background of the composition, the hedge with the help of American elderberry – Sambucus canadensis, ordinary elderberry – Sambucus racemosa. Bushes easily survive the most frosty winters, keep bright cut foliage until the cold.

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle

The plant attracts attention with a lush green crown and abundant flowering. Berries of red, orange, yellow, black hue prolong the beauty of the bush until late autumn. The ordinary honeysuckle – Lonicera xylosteum – grows to 1.5 m. Additionally, you can plant a climbing bush – Lonicera periclymenum Native. This variety is undemanding to external conditions, has stems 2-6 m long, long flowering – from May to August.

Meadowsweet (Spirea)

Meadowsweet (Spirea)

Shrub flowers grow up to 90 cm, have light green foliage, in mid-July they bloom in fluffy clusters of different shades – white, cream, pink. Due to the wide variety of colors with the help of spirea, you can create original compositions.

Spiraea betulifolia Glow Girl with small leaves similar to birch deserves special attention. In summer, fragrant inflorescences appear on the bushes, in autumn the foliage becomes a bright orange, yellow hue. Meadowsweet feels great in wet and dry areas, in the shade and in the sun.

Viburnum

Viburnum

Frost-resistant bush, in height and width reaches 2–4 m, looks like a maple. The plant has a lush crown and large leaves, which acquire a bright color in the fall, blooming plentifully from late spring to early summer. Bitter berries with healing properties ripen in autumn. They are often used to strengthen immunity, prevent colds, reduce blood pressure..

The brightest species grow in Japan and China. Several rare varieties can be found in North America, for example: V. Cassinoides with beige, blue and pink berries, V. Nudum – a popular dwarf viburnum with lush flowering. A hedge can be created using the well-pollinated bush Viburnum dentatum: the species is distinguished by beautiful glossy leaves, fluffy white flowers, which turn into dark blue berries in autumn.

Barberry ordinary

Barberry ordinary

The photophilous bush can reach a height of 1 to 3 m, has a lush green crown. Barberry is characterized by abundant yellow flowering, attracting bees and other insects. In the autumn, small sour berries appear, which in winter become food for birds. People can use fruits to make drinks and oriental dishes..

Dogrose

Dogrose

A compact and prickly winter-hardy bush growing up to 3 m in height will help to create a lively and impenetrable hedge along the perimeter of the site or along the tracks. Rosehip is famous for its incredibly healthy berries, which contain a large amount of vitamin C.

In the summer, the bush will delight you with flowers that smell like roses. Their shades range from white to raspberry. Using different varieties of plants, you can create hedges with smooth color transitions. An excellent combination will be Rosa pimpinellifolia with black fruits + Rosa multiflora with small red berries + Rosa canina with red berries.

Ivy

Ivy

The bush is ideal for forming hedges in the shade. Ivy is a climbing plant, so it is advisable to plant it near walls, fences, trees, arbors, arches. Juicy shining foliage of creepers will remain attractive throughout the year. Ivy will survive the frosts well: in the cold, the greens will serve as a food source for insects, small birds. In late winter, berries will appear for woodpeckers, blackbirds.

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Comments: 7
  1. Ember

    What are some wild shrubs that are easy to grow on your own site and require low maintenance?

    Reply
    1. Nova Kelley

      Some wild shrubs that are easy to grow on your own site and require low maintenance include the Butterfly Bush (Buddleja), Elderberry (Sambucus), Chokeberry (Aronia), and Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). These shrubs are hardy, adaptable, and often attract wildlife with their colorful flowers or berries. They can tolerate various soil conditions and are drought-tolerant once established. Additionally, they do not require frequent pruning or fertilizing, making them great options for low-maintenance landscaping.

      Reply
  2. Oakley

    What are some examples of wild shrubs that are easy to grow and maintain on one’s own property?

    Reply
  3. Skylar

    What are some examples of wild shrubs that can be successfully grown on one’s own property without much effort or maintenance required?

    Reply
  4. Clara Parker

    Can you recommend any particular species of wild shrubs that are suitable for growing on one’s own site? I’m interested in exploring the idea of incorporating wild shrubs into my landscape, but I’m unsure of where to start. Are there any specific shrubs that are easy to grow and maintain? And could you provide any tips or guidance on how to successfully establish and care for these shrubs? Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Owen Miller

      There are several wild shrubs that are easy to grow and maintain on your own site. One recommendation is the native serviceberry shrub (Amelanchier spp.), which features attractive white flowers in spring and edible berries in summer. Another option is the red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), known for its vibrant red stems and hardy nature. For a more ornamental choice, consider the wild lilac (Ceanothus spp.), which produces stunning blue flowers. To establish and care for these shrubs, start by selecting a suitable location with well-drained soil and proper sunlight exposure. It’s important to ensure regular watering, especially during dry spells, and provide occasional pruning to maintain shape and remove dead wood. Additionally, incorporating organic mulch around the shrubs can protect their roots and conserve moisture. Consulting with local horticulturists or extension offices can provide more specific advice tailored to your region.

      Reply
    2. Harper Peters

      A great option for incorporating wild shrubs into your landscape is the serviceberry (Amelanchier). This native shrub is easy to grow, low maintenance, and provides beautiful spring blooms and delicious berries in the summer. Another good option is elderberry (Sambucus), which also produces tasty fruit and is relatively easy to care for. To successfully establish wild shrubs, make sure to choose a suitable location with well-drained soil and adequate sunlight. Water regularly, especially during the first year of growth, and mulch around the base of the shrub to help retain moisture. Pruning can help maintain shape and promote new growth. Overall, incorporating wild shrubs into your landscape can add beauty, support local wildlife, and provide tasty fruits for you to enjoy. Good luck with your gardening endeavors!

      Reply
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