Shrubs
Get expert advice on growing and caring for shrubs with the team at Homes & Gardens.
Latest
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How to take forsythia cuttings – August is the ideal time to take semi-ripe cuttings and grow more spectacular shrubs for free
Propagate more of your favorite shrubs at zero cost this summer
By Thomas Rutter Published
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7 plants I always prune in August as a professional gardener – trim these flowers and shrubs now before it's too late
Late summer pruning can make all the difference to the look and vitality of your plants
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How to help your yard and plants recover from the effects of wildfire smoke – expert garden advice to heal your borders
It’s not just fire that can damage your plants – smoke, ash and the particulates they contain can impact plant health, too
By Ellen Wells Published
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These 5 popular garden plants are (surprisingly) invasive – a professional gardener issues a stark warning, and reveals what you should grow instead
Avoid planting these aggressive and vigorous species
By Thomas Rutter Published
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5 tick-repellent ground covers – a natural solution that’s fragrant and pretty for you, but repulsive to harmful pests
Plant these low-maintenance ground covers to help deter ticks naturally
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Knowing when to plant Rose of Sharon makes it easier to get it established – discover the ideal window for your climate
Plus some key planting tips for happy and healthy shrubs
By Drew Swainston Published
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What's your birth month tree? Discover the symbolism behind yours and how to grow it in your yard
Birth month trees are a great way to add green structure to your yard with a bit of personalization
By Tenielle Jordison Published
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I gardened in the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany – these are the 5 heat-resistant ground covers I swear by for cruel summers
From silver foliage shrubs to drought-proof herbs, these ground covers can withstand punishing heat
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Tackling topiary or overgrown hedges in July? This $40 cordless mini trimmer is a steal – I doubt it’ll stay in stock for long
Perfect for topiary touch-ups or summer shrub control, this Workpro mini hedge trimmer is a gardener’s best friend
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Is urine the ultimate organic plant fertilizer? The science says yes – here's how it can transform your flowerbeds (for free)
Forget pricey fertilizers, this ancient approach is making a comeback
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Prune these plants in July before it is too late – 7 flowers and shrubs you must trim now before the midsummer pruning window ends
After many years working as a professional gardener, these are my go-to plants to prune in July, for a thriving yard in the year ahead
By Thomas Rutter Published
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I gardened professionally for a decade, and if I were starting my garden from scratch, these are the 7 game-changing plants I'd begin with
As a professional gardener, these are my go-to plants to start a garden
By Thomas Rutter Published
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You don’t need to ditch your old, blunt pruners – this $16 sharpening stone will transform them in seconds (and it’s what pro gardeners use)
From zinnia deadheading to rose trimming, blunt blades make pruning harder than it needs to be
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Best viburnum companion plants – 5 perfect plants to pair with your favorite flowering shrubs this year
Show off your viburnum shrubs with these impactful companion plants
By Thomas Rutter Published
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I’ve dealt with invasive and ugly shrubs as a professional gardener – these are the 5 shrubs I'll never grow again, and what I'd choose instead
In my opinion, these vigorous and unsightly shrubs are best avoided
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Best evergreens to stop weeds – 5 expert-approved shrubs to keep problem plants out of your yard
These evergreen ground covers and shrubs will help reduce the amount of time you spend weeding
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Scents that mosquitoes hate – 9 expert recommendations for fragrant mosquito-repellent plants to grow in your yard
Adding one or two plants with scents that deter mosquitoes to your patio is a must this summer
By Thomas Rutter Last updated
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When and how to prune ninebark – expert horticulturists share advice for shapely shrubs and beautiful displays
Including how to successfully rejuvenate older and neglected ninebark shrubs
By Drew Swainston Published
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I'm a professional gardener, and this 1 natural ingredient is essential to help Japanese maples thrive in summer – and will give you vibrant fall color, too
Mulching Japanese maples in summer might seem like a small deal, but it will make a big difference to plant health
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How to grow clove trees in pots – for a mosquito-repelling evergreen plant that your patio needs
Clove trees are a natural way to deter pests from outside spaces
By Thomas Rutter Published
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I’ve dealt with invasive, thuggish plants as a professional gardener, and these are 5 plants I’ll never grow again in my beds or borders
It can be a real challenge to remove some of these plants completely
By Drew Swainston Published
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Plants that never need pruning, ever – 5 expert picks for a high-impact, low-maintenance garden
These plants will impress with no snipping, clipping, or trimming required
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow gardenia – a prolific bloomer with an intense summer fragrance
Gardenias are loved for their unrelenting flowering potential and their delicious summer scent
By Sophia Pouget de St Victor Published
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Patio plants that thrive on neglect – these 5 easy-going flowers for pots love to be ignored, say gardening pros
These fuss-free plants are sure to elevate your patio and entertaining space
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How to grow ninebark – a native shrub with spectacular year-round interest, and that wildlife love
Ninebark offers more than the peeling bark that gives the shrub its name, but said bark is stunning too
By Drew Swainston Published
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Best pittosporum companion plants – 5 expert recommendations for impactful borders alongside these tough, reliable evergreens
Fill your yard with colorful perennials and shrubs alongside these hardy trees
By Thomas Rutter Published
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5 small trees that thrive on neglect – expert picks of beautiful, small-space species you can blissfully ignore
These easy-going trees are perfect for urban yards where space is at a premium
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How to grow ixora in pots – for a low-maintenance flowering patio plant that can handle summer heat
Growing this tough shrub in pots is a great idea if you have a compact yard
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Is it necessary to deadhead crepe myrtle flowers? Expert advice for healthy flowering trees and shrubs
While it won't result in repeat blooming, deadheading crepe myrtle flowers will keep your shrubs looking their best
By Thomas Rutter Published