Planting shrubs around your home can be a great way to improve the appearance of your yard and raise the aesthetic value of your home. However, it is important to know the best types of shrubs to plant, particularly those that grow well and look great in the Middle Tennessee area.
There are numerous options when it comes to choosing a shrub type, and researching each one can take a lot of time and just cause more confusion - which is where why we created this list. The following are the three best shrub types to plant if you live in Tennessee.
An Overview of Shrubs
Shrubs are an interesting form of plant as they are much more than a basic flower plant but are far different from a full grown tree. One of the most distinguishable qualities of a shrub is their shorter stature than a tree, and they are almost always under twenty feet tall. Additionally, shrubs have more stems, making them both short and thick with leaves. Shrubs have many benefits. Not only do they look amazing and are an excellent landscaping option, but they also can serve to add a barrier between you and your neighbors.
Oakleaf Hydrangea
One of the most popular types of shrubs, and one that looks great when planted in Middle Tennessee, are Oakleaf Hydrangeas. They are the most popular in the states of Tennessee and North Carolina as they grow very well in the warm weather climate. In most instances, they grow to be around five or six feet tall, which make them the perfect barrier if you are wanting to add some privacy to your home. It is best to plant Oakleaf Hydrangeas in areas that are more shaded as they do not need much sunlight to survive in the Tennessee climate.
Southern Azaleas
Southern Azaleas - or Evergreen Azaleas - are another great option to choose when planting shrubs around your home in the Middle Tennessee area. Southern Azaleas are most well-known for their colorful nature, which adds enthusiasm and character to the exterior of any home. They generally grow to be anywhere from six to eight feet tall. Perhaps the most intriguing factor of Southern Azaleas is that they handle heat and sunlight incredibly well, so do not be afraid to plant them in more sun exposed areas and let them soak up the sunlight.
English Boxwood
English boxwood is what many think of when they hear the word shrubs. They stand between three to four feet tall and are incredibly thick with a tree-like green color. English boxwood tends to look more like a tree than they do any type of flower plant. There are many interesting advantages to this form of shrub, which includes the ability to control its shape. While, of course, trimming them is likely a necessity, they can be a great way to spice up the exterior of your home and add a small barrier between you and your neighbors.
Annette Masterson is a licensed broker with EXIT Realty Bob Lamb & Associates in Murfreesboro, TN. She has developed one of the most successful real estate teams in Rutherford County, known as Masterson Network, that specializes in new home construction and residential listings and sales throughout Middle Tennessee. You can email Annette at mastersonnetwork@gmail.com or call her at 615-896-5656 (Office) or 615-533-1660 (Cell) for more information.