Fast Growing Shrubs can be seen as any woody plant with many stems. Shrubs are a perennial plant and possess persistent stems above the ground.
They also have multiple stems and short height which differentiate them from trees.
These fast growing shrubs are likely easy to grow on any soil types.
When considering starting a garden, shrubs like Spirea Japonica, Hydrangea Macrophylla, Ribes Sanguineum, Forsythia, Photina (Christmas berry) and many more will add plenty of vigorous growth.
The above mentioned shrubs are fast growing and possess varieties of color, hence reducing waiting time of planting and enjoying their beautiful displays. The downside is the general maintenance is more frequent.
Benefits of shrubs to our surroundings
1. They provide food and shelter for birds
2. Seasonal beauty
3. Reliability (incredibly easy to grow)
4. It improves environment Functions
They serve as source of fire wood and lumber, in terms of food they provides fruits, tuber shoots, roots and leaves.
They primarily prevent water and soil erosion. Shrubs are grown as garden beds and backdrops in the garden.
Features of a shrub
1. Possession of many stems and lack trunk.
2. They shine in a sunny environment which makes shrubs a seasonal plant.
3. They are hardy plants.
4. Broad leaves.
5. They grow in all types of soil.
6. Shrubs can be seen as small trees.
What kind of fast growing shrubs make good hedge
Hedge plants can either be evergreen or deciduous shrubs, purely decorated, trimmed to sizes for many shapes.
While others can primarily serves as a practical function especially for security. Therefore possession of thorns or prickly leaves and dense growth would be suggested.
A taller shrub make good hedge, which are useful as windbreaks and privacy screens.
Some of these fast growing shrubs that make good hedges are;
Japanese holly:-Can also be called Ilex Crenata. The species are less or rarely cultivated in landscapes. They are 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. This plant is a slow in growing, but can be invasive. They possess a dark green leaves which is lustrous, and a black fruit hidden under them.
English holly: – Known as Ilex aquifolium or Christmas holly is a species of holly native, regarded as the species of genus ILEX, called holly by association. English holy can exceed 10 meter in height, but can be seen at a small heights of 2 to 3 meter tall and broad.
They have a straight trunk and pyramidal crown from the base. These aquifolium can live 500 years.
Barberry bushes: – They are large genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs which can be seen in the entire temperate and subtropical region around the world. They are 1 to 5 meter tall which genus has a dimorphic shoots. They serve as herbal medicine when the fruit is dried. The stem, root, and bark produce yellow dye.
Boxwood shrubs: – Known as Buxus are about 70 species in the family called Buxaceae. They are example of evergreen shrubs which are slow in growing and possess small trees. They stand 2 to 12 meters tall, opposite leaves, rounded lanceolate, small in most species. The flowers are small with a yellow-green color. They are used in carving wood, creating musical instruments, and historical records.
Mountain laurels: – this is a broadleaved evergreen shrub in heather family called Ericaceae. They are known as kalmia latifolia or spoonwood. Grows best in slightly acidic moist soil.
How to plant a privacy hedge
When making arrangement for planting a hedge, one should take some necessary step into consideration to produce a vigorous outcome.
A hedge is not only a standing plant set up in rows.
They make pathways, secure privacy, mark property lines and a focal point for garden.
To plant a privacy hedge, choosing a hearty, pest and disease resistance plant which is favorable to the climate and conditions of the garden.
To determine the style of hedge you want take the necessary time to make your selection.
For instance; informal hedge create unique effects that fences cannot. While single plant varieties, evergreens are good for formal hedge designs.
Steps in planting hedge
- You need to know the type of shrubs or trees that is suitable for your needs and region.
- Decide or determine how high you want your screen.
- The space or width you want this hedge to cover should be examined.
- Select the plant that you want for your needs.
- Determine the number of rows and Spacing.
- Mapping the planting area.
- Then you train this planted shrubs as a hedge.
Benefits of privacy hedge
1. It helps in reducing snow
2. It reduces noise since it creates a barrier for sounds.
3. Hedge serves as a privacy fence and provide adequate privacy from the neighbors street, and traffic
4. They protect harsh winds attacking the surrounding.
Easy Way To Grow Shrubs
Growing shrubs is easy and quick to understand. Provision of tools and materials are the basic requirement.
Tools: garden hose, trowel and shovel. Materials: water, mulch and shrubs.
Site Selection – in selecting the location, one should consider;
Determining the soil and light requirements.
Grow shrubs in an open field, so that walls, shade, power lines, other plants, and buildings will not hinder it growing abilities.
Digging hole –dig two to three feet wider than the root ball, this gives plenty of room for its roots.
The hole should equal to the height of the root ball.
Loosen the side soils of the hole to make it easier for the shrub’s root to penetrate.
Planting
Separate the shrub from the pot.
Take a thorough inspection of the root ball, as the root growths are compressed while inside the pot. If root bound is found, use trowel, knife to divide and loosen the roots.
After the loosening, put the root ball into the hole.
Make sure the top of the root ball is at the same level as the soil.
Gently press this soil in the hole to avoid compressing the soil.
Watering
Water the shrub immediately after planting, as it helps to minimize the effect to the roots while transplanting.
Monitor and record the watering of this new shrub all through the growing season.
Apply mulch
Two to three layer of this mulch should be applied around the base of the shrub.
Adding mulch helps soil retain moisture.
Mulch helps to fight weeds at the base of the shrub.
Avoid adding mulch directly to the base as these allow water to settle at the trunk.
Fast growing shrubs for shade.
If you want a garden or backyard with shade, one should select group of shrubs that excel in low light situations. If you are interested in knowing what vegetables to grow in low light conditions read this post.
Shrubs are magical with their unique color and fragrant flowers they produce. Shade loving plants like azalea, sun lovers like aucuba, evergreen like boxwood, or deciduous plants like lilac or flowering quince, are all examples of shrubs.
Some of the fast growing shrubs suitable for shades include;
Forsythia shrub: These are flowering plants called Oleaceae in the olive family. They are deciduous plants with about 11 species which includes Forsythia Europaea, Forsythia Giraldiana, Forsythia Japonica, Forsythia Koreana Forsythia Mira, Forsythia Ovata, and Forsythia Velutina.
They consist of flowers; which are produced in the early spring, with a bright yellow leaves. The fruit is a dry capsule which contains many winged seeds.
Burning bush: Euonymus alatus are of the family of celastraceae. It has a bright red fall color in which the common name burning bush was defined. They have greenish flowers over the long period of spring. Their fruit (red aril) are enclosed by four lobed capsules.
Eastern redbud: this is a large deciduous shrub, these small trees grows 6 to 9 meter tall and 8 to 10 meter spread. Redbuds are grown in gardens and park with its cultivators available. The flowers can be eaten when boiled, fresh or fried. The seeds are roasted for consumption. Some of its varieties are the Forest pansy, Texas white, Ace of hearts, Merlot, Silver cloud, The rising sun, Ruby fall and Heart of gold. They grow in all types of soil but are favorable to moisture.
Chinese redbud: cercis chinensis is a plant in the family called fabaceae which origin traces back to Japan and China. They grow in the range of 150 to 1400 meters above sea level. Chinese redbud is very expensive to purchase. In autumn they turn a golden yellow color and grow 9 to 10 feet tall. It is a deciduous plant and excellent for any size of garden.
Fertilizing Your shrubs
One last thing to consider is fertilizing your Shrubs. 18-16-12 has been in my experience a excellent choice for healthy looking vibrant shrubs. Apply the fertilizer after the first hard frost or before new growth begins in the spring. Be certain to water after you fertilize. I am certain with these steps your shrubs will serve you for many years to come!
