Shrub Identification

Flowering and non flowering shrubs are an invariable part of a landscape design. Shrub identification by leaf or flower is the easiest way of understanding the types of shrubs and bushes. Read on if you want your garden to look more beautiful than ever.
The green color of nature is soothing to eyes. Those who are interested in gardening, are always in search of different kinds of shrubs which can enhance the beauty of their garden. Beautiful hedges created with the help of shrubs or bushes offer privacy and also add to the beauty of the garden. Landscape designs are used on a larger scale for five star hotels, extensive city gardens, corporate offices and private gardens. Small evergreen shrubs are suitable for small places or gardens. Shrub identification by leaf, flower, stems, fruits, barks and branches help arrange the shrubs accordingly.

Shrubs

Shrubs or bushes are much shorter than trees and millions of shrub species are present on this earth. They usually grow up to the height of 15-20 feet, depending upon the growing conditions. A shrub doesn't have a single stem like a tree, therefore it appears bushy. Some are known for attractive dense leafy foliage while some are known for stunning beauty of flowers they hold. Shrub identification can be done on the basis of the characteristic properties of the shrubs like being evergreen or deciduous, flowering or non-flowering, etc. Every class of shrubs contains hundreds of varieties. It is difficult to explain each and every variety of shrubs here.

Identification of Shrubs

By Leaf
For correct identification, you need to study the leaves of different shrubs minutely. The shape, texture and color of the leaves varies according to the species. Moreover, you need to observe the bottom and top of the leaf, design of veins on the leaves, leaf margin, along with the arrangement of leaves on the stem and branches. The leaves can be oval shaped, hand shaped, triangular or they can have rigid spines. Color of the leaf can be green, brown, yellow or orange.

By Flower
Evergreen flowering shrubs are always in demand. You can examine the flower and can identify the flowering shrub. The following table presents some examples of commonly grown flowering shrubs.

Examples of Flowering Shrubs Description Flower Image
Azalea Native to Asia, Europe and North America, Flowers bloom all at once flowering shrubs - azalea
Blue Hydrangeas Most species are shrubs, growing 1-3 meter tall, flowers resemble pom-poms, colors can be white, blue, red, pink, light purple, or dark purple. flowering shrubs - blue hydrangea
Forsythia Deciduous shrubs, produce bright yellow flowers in early spring flowering shrubs - forsythia
Banksia Some are trees, some grow as woody shrubs. Elongated inflorescence that contains tightly set pairs of flowers placed at right angles to the woody axis flowering shrubs - banksia
Roses Perennial flowering shrub, can be grown by rooting cuttings or grafting, flowers used for decoration, bouquets, etc. flowering shrubs - roses
Liliac Buddleja Known as Butterfly Bush, some species evergreen, some are deciduous; white, pink, red, purple, orange or yellow flowers produced in dense panicles, about 10-15 cm long, strongly scented, contain ample nectar flowering shrubs - lilac buddleja
Oleander Evergreen shrub, a poisonous garden plant, flowers in clusters at the end of each branch flowering shrubs - oleander
Rhododendron Luteum National flower of Nepal, either evergreen or deciduous, known for beautiful clusters of large flowers flowering shrubs - rhododendron
Protea Cynaroides Has the largest flower in its genus, more than 80 garden varieties, long vase life, used for decoration, dried flower is also used flowering shrubs - protea cynaroides
Cytisus Scoparius Commonly known as scotch broom, perennial shrub, native to Europe, golden yellow flowers cover the shrub from top to bottom in summer flowering shrubs - scotch broom

Shrub identification by flower is the easiest way to remember the family or species of shrubs as each flowering shrub produces different kind of flowers. Flowering shrubs enhance the beauty of the garden and they enhance the beauty of your garden when used for hedging.
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Published: 11/2/2010
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