5 Characteristics of Shrubs, Types, Uses and Functions

Introduction

Shrubs are a classification of plants based on size. They are usually used for beautification of buildings, fences, etc. Normally, they are thick and are mostly woody. Shrubs branch and grow into stems and trunks but are always smaller than a tree as they grow together.

Because of the nature of their thickness, like a bush, shrubs are easy to identify, and they are usually short. Unlike every other normal plant, except by choice and for beautification, shrubs can be left unattended to and still serve the purpose for which it is being grown or planted, which includes the prevention of soil and water erosion in a particular environment.

The most significant part of a plant or a tree usually noticed is the stems, branches, etc. But for a shrub, one cannot see the stem because of the manner and nature in which the shrub plant grows. It grows from the roots into its supposed branches which stem and covers a specified area. On different occasions, these plants are also called bushes because of their thickness.

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When bushes are grown as shrubs, they are left to take the shapes and sizes they grow into, so long as the purpose for which it is planted or grown is served. If they have to be pruned, they must be done consistently because of their rapid growth rate. The shape in which it has to take is based on the culturist.

Types of Shrubs

Just like every other type of plant, shrubs have different species. Though of the same class of plant, they have contrasting and similar characteristics. As earlier stated, the shrubs are usually planted and grown in different environments for different reasons.

It could be in a garden and may as well be used for backdrops, beautification or preventing soil and water erosion.

The different species or types of shrubs include the following:

• Sunrose
• Rockrose
• Bushrose
• Red climbing rose
• Australian Fuschia
• Azalea
• Camellia
• Red and Yellow left Barberry
• White and Purple Butterfly Bush
• With their different species, the shrubs grow toward the ground and are equally thick.

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Uses of Shrubs

People plant shrubs for different reasons as they please, and are used for different purposes around an environment. They can be planted in a compound just for the sake of decoration or for sightseeing in a location of a Community. They enhance serenity in an open space, especially when finely pruned and shaped as desired.

Shrubs also come in handy in different seasons. Because of their growth process, the stems and wood they grow into over time can be used for social development.

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Characteristics of Shrubs

The uniqueness of shrubs makes them easy to identify, even from a distance. However, they look like trees or even bushes but are a lot different. Shrubs are short and very thick, among other characteristics, which include:

1. They are a lot smaller than regular trees; they are very thick and tend to appear like bushes.
2. Shrubs have broad leaves.
3. Generally, shrubs are seasonal because they tend to thrive only in dry seasons but are definitely in their best conditions, void of dust.
4. Shrubs do not have trunks, so they differ from a regular tree. A grows towards the ground; hence its branches are called stems.
5. The shrubs are also said to have rapid growth. If there is ever a need for a particular shrub to have a certain look or shape, it must be pruned consistently, just like every flower’s done.
   Pruning keeps the plant in good shape and condition, adding to its beautification as intended upon planting.

Functions of Shrubs

Because of its uniqueness, shrubs play a major role in preventing soil and water erosion in any environment.
They are majorly used for beautification in an environment, pruned into specific shapes and sizes for recreation.
The stems are used as a source of fuelwood.
Depending on the purpose, the leaves can also serve as food too.