How to Grow Large Bushes - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Large bushes is a plant that can grow to be very tall. Some types of large bushes can even grow to be as tall as a person! Large bushes are usually found in forests or wooded areas, but they can also be found in some gardens. Large bushes can provide shelter and homes for many different types of animals.

How to Grow Large Bushes - Plant Care & Tips

Popular name

  • shrub: A shrub or bush is a small to medium-sized woody plant.
  • hedge: A hedge is a row of closely spaced shrubs or other plants, typically used to mark a boundary or to provide privacy or shelter.
  • bush: A bush is a shrub or small tree.
  • thicket: A thicket is a densely growing stand of bushes or small trees.
  • undergrowth: Undergrowth is the vegetative layer of a forest composed of young trees, saplings, shrubs, and vines.

Common Knowledge

  • Some large bushes can grow to be over 20 feet tall.
  • They can provide significant privacy and shade.
  • Bushes can be used as windbreaks.
  • They can help to control soil erosion.
  • Some bushes produce berries or flowers that can be eaten or used for decoration.
  • Bushes can be used as nesting sites for birds and other animals.
  • Some species of bush can be poisonous.
  • Some people use large bushes as privacy screens around their property.
  • Bushes can be a source of fuel for fires.
  • Some bushes can be invasive and spread quickly if not properly controlled.

Related plant:
Large Hydrangea Bush

Planting Process

  1. For large bushes, first step is to remove any dead or diseased wood. Cut these branches off at the base, just above where they meet the trunk.
  2. Next, cut back any branches that are growing out of bounds. These are the ones that are longer than the rest, and are often twisted or crooked. Cut these back to where they meet a main branch, or to the desired shape.
  3. Once the dead wood and out-of-bounds growth has been removed, it's time to trim back the remaining branches. Cut these back to about 6-12 inches from the main trunk.
  4. After trimming, it's a good idea to fertilize the bush. Use a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, and follow the instructions on the package.
  5. Water the bush deeply, letting the water soak in well.
  6. Mulch around the base of the bush, using about 2-3 inches of organic material such as wood chips or straw.
  7. Finally, give the bush a good soaking with a hose, making sure to wet the entire root zone.
  8. Large bushes will need to be pruned on a yearly basis. Depending on the type of bush, this can be done in late winter or early spring.
  9. After a few years, you may need to thin out the bush to allow more light and air to reach the inner branches. This is done by removing some of the older, larger branches.
  10. With proper care, large bushes can live for many years and provide years of enjoyment.

Related plant:
Large Shrubs

The Soil

About soil condition, large bushes like well-drained soil that is not too dry. Most importantly, the soil should be loose and not too compacted. The ideal soil is rich in organic matter and has a good crumb structure.

About light

Just like other plants, bushes need sun to produce food. However, some bushes are more tolerant of shade than others. When choosing a bush for a shady area of your yard, look for one that is labeled "part shade" or "shade." These bushes will still need some sun to thrive, but they will be more likely to survive in a shady spot than a bush that requires full sun.

The Temperature

The temperature condition was hot and humid. The large bushes were wilting from the heat, and the ground was dry and cracked. The air was thick with the smell of the bushes, and the sun beat down mercilessly.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the humidity drops significantly below this, the leaves may start to develop brown spots. If the humidity stays too low for too long, the leaves will eventually turn completely brown and fall off.

Fertilizer Requirement

For the fertilizer, this plant needs something with a lot of nitrogen in it. The roots of this plant are very sensitive to being disturbed, so be very careful when you are transplanting it or doing anything that involves its roots.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of keeping your large bushes healthy and looking their best. There are a few things to keep in mind when pruning large bushes. First, always use clean, sharp pruning shears. Second, make sure to prune early in the growing season. This will give the bush time to recover from the pruning and produce new growth. Finally, don't be afraid to prune back large bushes. They can handle it and will often produce even more growth as a result.

About Propagating

Propagation is the process of growing new plants from a variety of sources: seeds, cuttings, and divisions. Bushes can be propagated from seed, but it is often more difficult to get them to germinate and grow than it is with other plants. Cuttings are often the best way to propagate bushes. To take a cutting, choose a healthy stem on the bush and cut it at a 45-degree angle just below a node (a bump on the stem where leaves are attached). The cutting should be 4-6 inches long. Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone and plant it in a pot of moistened potting mix. Cover the pot with a plastic bag to create a humidity dome and place it in a bright, warm location. Keep the soil moist and after 4-6 weeks, roots should form and new growth should appear. At that point, you can transplant the cutting into the ground.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is significantly slower than that of smaller bushes. This is due to the difference in the amount of foliage that each bush has. The more foliage a bush has, the more it is able to photosynthesize and produce food for itself. However, the larger the bush, the more difficult it is for the bush to adequately circulate water and nutrients throughout its entire system.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are over watering, nutrient imbalance, and pests. Over watering can lead to root rot, while too little water can cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop off. A nutrient imbalance can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown and drop off. Pests can cause the leaves to turn yellow, brown, or drop off.

Basics of Growing

  • Do not forget to water the plants regularly.
  • Add some organic matter to the soil to help the plants grow.
  • Prune the plants regularly to encourage growth.
  • Fertilize the plants regularly to promote growth.
  • Place the plants in an area where they will get plenty of sunlight.
  • Protect the plants from strong winds.
  • Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
  • Do not overwater the plants.
  • mulch the plants to help retain moisture.
  • Check the plants regularly for pests and diseases.

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Source:
Rejuvenating Large, Overgrown Shrubs | News
Large Deciduous Trees - 7.419 - Extension
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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category