Shrub

A shrub or bush is a small- to medium-sized woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. They are distinguished from trees by their multiple stems and shorter height, less than 6 m-10 m (20 ft–33 ft) tall. Small shrubs, less than 2 m (6.6 ft) tall are sometimes termed subshrubs.

Overview

Shrubs are perennial woody plants, and therefore have persistent woody stems above ground (compare with herbaceous plants). They add structure and organization to landscapes and can be used for privacy and security purposes. Shrubs can be deciduous or evergreen. They can be of many types, including deciduous, evergreen, flowering, non-flowering, fruiting, and non-fruiting.

Types of Shrubs

Deciduous Shrubs

Deciduous shrubs lose all of their leaves for part of the year. This process is called abscission. In some cases leaf loss coincides with winter—namely in temperate or polar climates.

Evergreen Shrubs

Evergreen shrubs do not lose their leaves or needles. This makes them a popular choice for year-round color in landscapes.

Flowering and Non-Flowering Shrubs

Some shrubs produce beautiful flowers that attract pollinators. Others do not produce flowers, but may have interesting leaves or stems.

Fruiting and Non-Fruiting Shrubs

Some shrubs produce fruit that can be eaten by humans or wildlife. Others do not produce fruit.

Uses of Shrubs

Shrubs have many uses in the landscape, including providing privacy, reducing noise, and creating wildlife habitat. They can also be used for their ornamental value, or for their fruit or flowers.

See Also

• Tree
• Herbaceous plant
• Subshrub
• Deciduous
• Evergreen
• Flower
• Fruit

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