YOUR YARD, YOUR SHRUBS A HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE Winterberry Spicebush Lilac Bush Serviceberry Fruit Lowbush Blueberry Black Chokeberry YOUR YARD, YOUR SHRUBS A HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE A PROJECT OF THE HOOSIER HEARTLAND RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Backyard Trees Committee Funded by: The Jimmy F. New Foundation The Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Boone, Brown, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, and Morgan Counties Native Plants Unlimited Woody Warehouse TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................................................................................1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................................2 CHAPTER 1: BENEFITS OF URBAN SHRUBS ...........................................................................................................................................3 CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW SHRUBS ..............................................................................................................................................5 Shrub Growth .............................................................................................................................................................................................5 Different Kinds of Shrubs Grow Differently .....................................................................................................................................9 Compartmentalization ........................................................................................................................................................................ 10 CHAPTER 3: WHAT KIND OF SHRUB? .................................................................................................................................................... 11 Native vs. Introduced (Exotic or non-native) Shrubs ................................................................................................................ 11 Getting the Right Plant ........................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Deciduous Shrubs ................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Evergreens and Semi-Evergreens .................................................................................................................................................... 13 Deciduous and Evergreen Plants Beautify Landscapes ........................................................................................................... 13 Size: As Important as Flowers and Color ....................................................................................................................................... 13 Additional Considerations .................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Shrub Identification .............................................................................................................................................................................. 14 CHAPTER 4: RIGHT SHRUB, RIGHT PLACE............................................................................................................................................ 17 Shrub Function ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Form and Size.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Shrub and Utility Conflicts ................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Site Conditions and Soil Conditions ............................................................................................................................................... 20 Exposure, Human Activity, Drainage, Space Constraints, and Hardiness .......................................................................... 21 Fruit ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22 Pest Problems ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Ordinances or Other Regulations .................................................................................................................................................... 22 Species Selection ................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 At the Nursery ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER 5: PLANTING AND MAINTENANCE..................................................................................................................................... 24 Shrub Planting ................................................................................................................................................................................24 - 26 Watering, Fertilizing, and Mulching Shrubs .........................................................................................................................27 - 28 Pruning Tips, Tools, and Myths About Pruning ...................................................................................................................29 - 33 The Wound Dressing Question ......................................................................................................................................................... 34 Procedures for Pruning Specific Shrubs ........................................................................................................................................ 34 Review of General Pruning Procedures ......................................................................................................................................... 36 CHAPTER 6: PROTECTING SHRUBS FROM INSECTS, DISEASES, AND OTHER PROBLEMS ................................................. 37 Types of Causal Agents ........................................................................................................................................................................ 37 Conditions Required for Infectious Problems ............................................................................................................................. 38 Insects and Related Pests ................................................................................................................................................................... 39 Infectious Diseases ................................................................................................................................................................................ 40 Non-Infectious Diseases ...................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Plant Problem Diagnosis ..................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Integrated Pest Management ........................................................................................................................................................... 43 CHAPTER 7: SHRUBS FOR WILDLIFE ..................................................................................................................................................... 45 Benefits of Shrubs to Wildlife ............................................................................................................................................................ 45 Common Backyard Visitors ................................................................................................................................................................ 46 Complement Your Shrubs .................................................................................................................................................................. 47 Human-Wildlife Conflicts .................................................................................................................................................................... 48 Summary .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 48 CHAPTER 8: SHRUBS WORK ....................................................................................................................................................................