So, lets talk about shrubbery!  Basic shrubs are a type of woody stemmed plant, and who doesn’t just really like to say…. shrubbery?!?  It’s not as fun to say, bush; although, in most place, they are used interchangeably.  There are so many different types of shrubs that it would take all day to try to go over each one, so for all intents and purposes, we will stick to what we have growing in our yard here.  Also, while roses are considered shrubbery, they are under their own category on our page because they are “specialty” flora.

Buddleja, or Butterfly Bush

The butterfly bush comes in several different varieties and colors, according to my research, there are more than 140 different varieties!  That’s pretty staggering.  In our yard, we have the “Kaleidoscope” butterfly bush.  This particular shrub is planted in our yard solely for the pollinators.  Every year there is a variety of pollinators that visit our bush and it is amazing to see all of the various visitors that the bush gets throughout the season.  Since it gets so big, the bush can be pruned down to about a foot off of the ground in the spring when it becomes overwhelming.  The bush will grow on new growth so a severe pruning is something that can be done with no real consequences.

Cephalotaxus harringtonii, or Japanese Plum Yew

The plum yew is a shrub and considered part of the evergreen family.  Most landscapers use it for some ground cover and they are seen all over.  What’s neat about this particular plant is that it has a benefit to it that most do not take advantage of, the little fruit that it grows is EDIBLE!  Yep, that’s right, edible and the fruit tastes somewhat sweet.  The fruit will turn from the pale powdery appearing little plum to a dark purplish-brown color when they are ripe.  I wish that I could give the nutritional values for it, but unfortunately this information does not seem to be available.

 

Hydrangea macrophylla, or Hydrangea

The hydrangea is a very fun unique shrub for any garden.  It will change the color of the flower heads based on the pH of the soil in which it is planted.  After the season is over, the flower will die back and hollow sticks will be left in the place which once was the shrub; however, the plant will grow back new growth bigger and better every year.  We were given this hydrangea in memory of my grandfather and while it is not edible and has NO benefit to the pollinators, I could not pass up planting anything in the memory of someone which I have the highest regard.