Shrubs are long-lived plants that develop woody tissue, typically smaller than trees and with many equally-sized branches rather than a single trunk. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and may be deciduous or evergreen. Some care needs for larger shrubs, especially watering, can be more similar to trees than they are to smaller shrubs.
Once established, there are many factors that can impact how often and how much to water, including plant species, temperature, amount of shade, humidity, wind, season of planting, soil type, slope, and more. That’s why for long-term care, the best approach is to simply keep an eye on your plants for signs of stress and check the soil periodically.
It's important not to fertilize shrubs and trees heavily during establishment, because the influx of those nutrients will signal to the plant to put more growth into its foliage instead of its roots. During establishment, the root system should always be the top priority.
Some shrubs, like hydrangeas, are more “dramatic” when they need water than others. This means they’re likely to show a need for water very readily by wilting. These shrubs can often let you know that your garden needs more water than it’s getting. Even if other plants aren’t showing it as obviously, they likely need more water too.
J.R. Thomas Landscaping ~ 10464 St. Rt. 48 Loveland, Ohio 4514 ~ 513-677-4340