Cheap Ways to Decorate Your Garden

Forsythia

Forsythia - intermedia The forsythia shrub was introduced in the eighteenth century. Plant hunter Robert Fortune discovered it, which is known for early spring flowering on bare branches. This deciduous shrub with flowers is said to produce lactose. The early arrival of spring is signaled by the explosion of yellow flowers from the ground to the tips of each descending branch of the shrub. Before the leaves even appear, the bare branches fill with sunshine-colored blossoms shaped like golden bells. Forsythia Has Golden Bells For Blooms  Extremely fast-growing, between one and two feet per year, these shrubs benefit from regular pruning. Pruning encourages thicker growth and an increase in flower production. Because of their popularity, they are appealing grown either as hedgerows or as single bushes.  The golden yellow shrub takes up a lot of space in a garden. However, many gardeners like using flowering stems to frame or form backbones in different arrangements. This popular plant is often called "Golden Bells" due to the yellow, bell-shaped flowers born along the arching stems. Forsythia Colors and Characteristics The yellow flowers can range from light buttery to deep, rich gold. The narrow toothy leaves grow two to ten cm long and are aligned opposite each other down the gray-brown, long, weeping branches. Joining together only at the base, the four-lobed flower's petals are deep and protect the reproductive organs during rainy weather.  Height at Maturity Typically, the shrub can grow up to 9 feet 10 inches tall and sometimes even up to 20 feet and up to 9 feet wide. The winged seeds are encased in a dry capsule. These vase-shaped shrubs generally grow in a splay-like or drooping pattern, and when pruning is not kept up, the shrub can end up looking as if it were having a bad hair day. Hardy Planting Zones and Propagation Success The hardy zones are 4 – 9 and thrive in sun and well-drained soil. They grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. This plant makes for a spectacular border; with individual shrubs spaced about 10 inches apart, they will grow into a naturally dense border. Forsythia plants have big, bright yellow flowers and mid to dark-green foliage. The propagation of the shrub is simple by anchoring low-hanging boughs to the soil. Once new roots have developed, they can be dug up, cut from the main branch, and transplanted. Another method is taking cuttings from the soft wood in late spring and early summer when there is new growth and planting them in well-drained but moist soil. Cuttings can also be taken from November through February. Fertilizer and Plant Attractants An all-purpose fertilizer can be added mid-February through mid-May as a light feeding to benefit the shrubs. It is best to transplant the newly propagated plants during the dormant winter season. These plants do not attract wildlife such as butterflies or birds, so adding native plants to your display is advised.

Privet Plant

Privet Plant - Ligustrum Vulgare The privet plant is officially known as the Ligustrum Ovalifolium, but gardeners often refer to it as the California type. It's native to Japan. However, it grows and thrives in many other countries, including the US. Homeowners and gardeners love it for its white flowers and ability to create privacy while adding to a home's curb appeal. The Privet Plant Can Reach 15 Feet Tall The Ligustrum Ovalifolium grows to heights of between 10 and 15 feet with a similar spread. This hedge develops white flowers in June and July, usually between two and four inches long. The leaves are oval and typically grow to between one and two and a half inches long. It's considered a fast-growing shrub; gardeners can expect it to gain one to two feet in height each year without pruning. The Privet Plant Is The  Perfect Conifer Hedge The Privet plant is most commonly used as a living privacy hedge or fence, garden maze, or in English or Victorian-style gardens because it can reach heights up to 15 feet. Gardeners can create thick, solid-looking walls with these bushes by planting them in a zigzagged double layer. Once these bushes are established, they can be pruned to take certain shapes. Gardeners can even get creative with these bushes by leaving large gaps between them and installing arches or gates to create elaborate entrances. Companion Plants For Them Gardeners who want to add depth and color around the Ligustrum can choose from many types of wildflowers, shrubs, and ornamental grasses. Some favorites include the sunshine ligustrum, peonies, lady's mantle, hostas, sedum, the New Zealand iris, boxwood, and Japanese holly. Gardeners and landscapers will enjoy the hedge as part of a formal garden or living privacy fence. This versatile shrub can be pruned, shaped, and trained to grow around arches and wooden gates. It softens concrete walkways and adds depth and interest to homes.

Burning Bush

Burning Bush: Euonymus Alatus Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) is a widely used decorative shrub prized for its red-hot leaves, brightening any landscape or garden. This durable, low-maintenance shrub is perfect for year-round interest and stunning fall foliage. Ease of Planting  Any gardener can easily plant this shrub. This shrub prefers well-drained soil and is shade-tolerant in full sun to part shade. Once established, it requires little maintenance. It is drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and only occasionally pruned to keep it tidy. Burning Bush Has Vibrant Red Leaves In Autumn  It is known for its spectacular autumnal changes. Its bright green leaves in the summer make it a tall, erect shrub. As fall draws near, the leaves blaze red and burn for several weeks. Small greenish flowers bloom in spring and summer, followed by decorative red berries that entice wildlife.  Shape and Longevity of The Shrub  The shrub forms a neat, oval shape, reaching 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. Its dense growth makes it a great choice for hedges, borders, or individual focal points. With proper care, it is a long-lasting plant that will survive for decades.  Life Cycle  Burning Bush shrubs are grown to perfection at TN Nursery and shipped as fresh-cut plants. These plants grow quickly, providing you with glorious seasonally changing foliage and enduring beauty. Take it into your garden and witness an unforgettable blaze of fiery leaves every autumn!

Arrowwood Viburnum

Arrowwood Viburnum   Arrowwood Viburnum, also known as the Southern arrowwood or European cranberry bush, is a small, shrubby garden plant with few flowers but plentiful foliage. The glossy, abundant leaves turn reddish in autumn. When properly planted, this deciduous tree requires little care because it flourishes in barren soil and full sun.  Thrives in sunny areas when planted in an area with at least six to eight hours of sun daily or where it will receive adequate light from a nearby structure such as a deck, porch, or house. It grows well in several soil types but requires the same conditions to thrive: full sun and well-drained soil. Arrowwood Viburnum Is Disease and Pest Resistant This shrub is known to have hardly any pests or disease problems and is easy to care for, making it an ideal plant for beginner gardeners. The viburnum is a good choice for the home garden because it requires little care when properly planted yet provides deep shade and vibrant foliage.  It is a deciduous shrub that grows in several soil types. Although it requires some filtered sun, it can be pruned to provide full shade. If properly watered and fertilized, the arrowwood viburnum will grow up to 12 feet in height. Although this plant is not fussy about soil conditions, it prefers a well-draining loam or sandy loam.  Branches grow arrow-shaped The Arrowwood viburnum shrub is a good choice for areas where the viburnum will receive adequate light from a nearby structure, such as a porch or house. The arrowwood viburnum gets its name from its shapely branches that form an "arrow." This plant has fruit that can be used to feed birds and wildlife. Pruning is unnecessary, but if the shrub seems overgrown, it can be cut back to five feet. The tree will regenerate without any issues.

Blue Hydrangea

Blue Hydrangea - Hydrangea Macrophylla Blue hydrangeas are your go-to choice for elegant flowering shrubs. When shopping for a shrub with old-fashioned charm, this is one of the most elegant. They are easy to cultivate, grow in almost any soil, and produce abundant dinnerplate-size blue snowball blooms throughout the warm season and into autumn. How to Grow Blue Hydrangeas These bushes are drought-resistant and can grow out in direct sunlight or in filtered shade. They grow quickly and mature to 15 feet high and 10 feet wide. The blooms are in Spring and Summer, even into Fall, and are dinner plates in size. These shrubs do exceptionally well in zones 5-9, making them versatile and a great choice for even cooler winter zones. Blue Hydrangea Planting Season Since hydrangeas are relatively large shrubs, giving them enough time to develop a healthy root is essential. This is why it is best to plant hydrangeas in spring or fall.  They can also be planted anytime in the Spring or Fall season. Where to Plant These shrubs are versitle and do best when planted along a fence, near home, or as a border. They can be grown in direct and open sunlight or filtered shade, making them a favorite for many homeowners who do not have the "perfect" solution for many flowering shrubs. Growing them along the fence clears them from the harsh afternoon heat. They are perennials that often thrive in hardiness zones 5-9. Soil Recommendations   As revealed above, they can withstand almost any soil type. They thrive in soil rich in organic materials, and the ground should also have good drainage since the hydrangeas grow well in moist soil. However, the shrubs are intolerant to waterlogged soil because the roots tend to rot quickly. To improve soil quality, prepare your soil using a mixture of abundant compost before planting.  Blooming Season  They have varied blooming seasons, depending on the planting zone and the cultivar. Most bud from mid-spring to early summer. In hot regions, these shrubs stop budding in summer due to the heat intensity and bloom again in the fall.  How to Control the Blooming Color  are unique plants in that you can control their colors. However, not all hydrangeas can withstand color adjustments. If you want to increase the strength of the color of your shrubs, you need to lower your soil’s pH levels. By reducing the soil’s pH, the hydrangeas can absorb enough aluminum from the ground, thus giving them a beautiful blue color. Fertilizer and Care Adding peat moss or sulfur to the soil can lower the PH level. You can add aluminum sulfate throughout the growing season to make them shinier. Indoor Cultivation: If you want to grow them inside your house in a pot, choose a non-porous container about 18 inches wide to accommodate the plants’ maturity size.  A non-porous container or pot helps retain the moisture needed for the Blue Hydrangea to mature. It would be best if you also created drainage holes to allow the proper drainage of the excess water.