How to Grow Outdoor Bushes - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Outdoor bushes is a common plant found in many gardens. They are generally low-maintenance and easy to care for, making them a popular choice for those who do not want to spend a lot of time on their garden. outdoor bushes can provide privacy, protection from the elements, and a place to hide away from the world.

How to Grow Outdoor Bushes - Plant Care & Tips

Also known as

  • spirea
  • mock orange
  • butterfly bush
  • hydrangea
  • viburnum

Basic info

  • Shrubs are woody plants that are typically smaller than trees.
  • They can be evergreen or deciduous, meaning they can retain their leaves year-round or lose them each fall.
  • Shrubs typically have multiple stems that grow close to the ground.
  • They are often used as foundation plants, hedges, or privacy screens.
  • Some shrubs can be low-maintenance, while others may require more care.
  • When choosing a shrub for your landscape, consider its mature size, growth habit, and needs.
  • Shrubs can be propagated from cuttings or by dividing the roots.
  • They can be susceptible to pests and diseases, so proper care is important.
  • Pruning can help promote healthy growth and shape the shrub to your desired look.
  • Some common shrub species include azaleas, boxwoods, hollies, and hydrangeas.

Related plant:
Outdoor Shrubs

How to Grow

  1. For outdoor bushes, first step is to choose a sunny spot in your yard that has well-drained soil.
  2. Next, you will need to dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the root ball of your bush.
  3. Once you have dug the hole, you will need to remove the bush from the container it is in and gently loosen the roots.
  4. Place the bush in the hole and fill in around it with the soil you removed.
  5. Tamp down the soil around the bush to remove any air pockets.
  6. Water the bush deeply.
  7. Add a layer of mulch around the bush, being sure to not pile it up against the stem of the bush.
  8. Continue to water your bush regularly, especially during the first growing season.
  9. Fertilize your bush in the spring and early summer.
  10. Prune your bush as needed to shape it and remove any dead or damaged branches.

Related plant:
Outdoor Evergreen Plants

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, it is best to start with the basics. Soil is formed from the broken-down remains of rocks and other mineral materials. Over time, rain and other weather conditions help break down these materials even further, creating smaller pieces of rock and mineral matter. The final product is a mixture of these small pieces, along with organic matter (such as decaying leaves and plant roots) that help hold the soil together.

About light

Like the other plants, bushes need sunlight to grow and stay healthy. The amount of sunlight a bush needs depends on the type of bush. Some bushes need full sun, meaning they need at least six hours of sunlight a day. Other bushes need partial sun, which means they need three to six hours of sunlight a day. And then there are bushes that need Shade, which means they need less than three hours of sunlight a day.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition of outdoor bushes is important to consider when gardening. If the temperature is too hot, the plants will wilt and die. If the temperature is too cold, the plants will be damaged.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40 to 60%. However, it can still tolerate lower humidity level as long as the air is not too dry. If the air is too dry, the leaves will become dry and fall off.

Fertilizer Requirement

Mentioning fertilizer, this plant needs very little of it and adding too much will result in nutrient burn and eventually kill the plant. The roots of this plant grow very quickly and fill the pot in which it is planted in just a few months. Repotting is only necessary when the roots have completely filled the pot and begin to circle around the inside, which results in the plant becoming pot-bound. When this happens, the plant will need to be transplanted into a pot that is one size larger.

Light requirement

Pruning is a critical part of keeping your outdoor bushes healthy and looking their best. By selectively removing dead, diseased, or overgrown limbs, you encourage new growth, improve air circulation, and allow more sunlight to reach the inner parts of the plant. This helps to prevent disease and keeps your plant looking neat and tidy.

About Propagating

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from a parent plant. There are many ways to propagate plants, but one of the most common methods is to take stem cuttings. To take stem cuttings, use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut a 4-6 inch section of stem from the parent plant. Be sure to make the cut just below a leaf node (the point on the stem where leaves are attached). Cuttings can be taken from most types of plants, including bushes. Once you have your cutting, fill a pot with fresh potting mix and plant the cutting about an inch deep. Water well and place the pot in a bright, indirect light. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and in a few weeks you should see new growth. Once the new plant is established, you can transplant it to its permanent home in the garden.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate depends on the type of plant, the conditions of its growth (such as soil, sun, and water), and its age. Many bushes can grow quite quickly when they are young, but their growth rate slows down as they mature. Some common outdoor bushes include rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot. These can be treated with fungicides, but it is important to identify the problem early and start treatment immediately. If the problem is severe, you may need to prune the affected branches to prevent the spread of the disease.

Tips on Growing

  • Remember to water your bushes regularly, especially when they are first transplanted.
  • Fertilize your bushes every few weeks to promote healthy growth.
  • Prune your bushes regularly to encourage new growth and to keep them looking tidy.
  • Place your bushes in an area that receives plenty of sunlight.
  • Be sure to mulch around your bushes to help retain moisture and protect the roots.
  • When transplanting, be sure to dig a hole that is twice as large as the root ball.
  • Gently remove the bush from its nursery container and loosen the roots before placing it in the hole.
  • Fill in the hole with soil, tamping it down gently around the base of the bush.
  • Water the bush thoroughly after planting.
  • Keep an eye out for pests and diseases and treat accordingly.

Alternative Plants

  • Topiary Bushes
  • Tansy
  • Thuja
  • Tecoma
  • Tetradium
  • Tamarind
  • Taxodium
  • Tilia
  • Taxus

Source:
Burning Bush - Penn State Extension
Butterfly Bush | University of Maryland Extension - UMD
What Could Be Eating the Roots of My Outdoor Plants?

Richelle Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category