Plants and Shrubs For Your Yard

By Maria Faith
Plants and shrubs are living species that can serve comprehensive purposes. Their uses range from being simply ornamental and decorative pieces to providing wonderful health benefits. However, these have specific attributes that you must evaluate to see which species fit your needs, style and budget.

There are thousands of plant varieties which are generally classified according to their usage or growth time frame. Different plants according to use are fruit-bearing trees, flowering plants, hanging plants, herbs, ground covers and vines. Growth time frame categories pertain to the perennials and annuals. Plants in the first category come back year after year, while those that belong to the other group live for only one year.

Each group has particular details about their plant life, root expansion, spread, height, shade requirements and maintenance needs. Some need more water, while others need more sunlight. Some can grow as tall as few feet, while some can be only be a few inches off the ground. On the other hand, different variants have different categories in which extra care must be given. Case in point is the herbal family. Herbs are further classified into different uses such as for decoration, medicine or culinary purposes. These are also grouped either as perennial or annual. One all-around herb is basil. Some of its varieties can serve all previously mentioned uses. Some basil varieties can also be perennial or annual.

What separates shrubs from other flora is their distinct size. They are typically of medium built - smaller than tall trees and bigger than ground cover plantings. There are many varieties under this group as well, and each can serve many purposes too. The conifers for one can be diversely decorative because of its different foliage colors and forms such as weeping, prostrate or topiary. Some shrubs are identified to be resistant against pest insects and diseases. Specifically speaking, these are the native ones. Most shrubs have the same maintenance needs such as regular pruning and watering. But this group has more variants that can survive with less water like olive, butterfly bush, potentilla and barberry.

Generally, prices of plants and shrubs can be as varied as their species. Some variants are pricey upon the initial purchase of their seedlings, but their long-term maintenance needs are relatively cheaper, and the exact opposite conditions apply to other plants and shrubs.

Identifying the type of soil you have in your place could probably be one of the keys to have a successful garden. Check its levels of moisture, nutritional content and erosion. Another crucial pointer is to note the temperature conditions in your locality. Some plants need special attention with regards to their adaptability to the wet or dry seasons.

Lastly, inquire if there are planting regulations in your community. There are some locations that extremely encourage home owners to grow native plants only. Varied reasons for this rule include further advancement of local vegetation, protection of wildlife, special soil conditions in the area and others.

Take these simple reminders upon picking your plants and/or shrubs so you can enjoy a wonderful landscape.

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