Fast Growing Shrubs

 

Fast Growing Shrubs

Such perennial plants are called shrubs, in which many permanent, woody stems emerge from near the surface of the ground. If in such plants the woody parts are limited to the lower part only and the upper part is soft, then such plants are called semi-shrubs. Shrubs are either evergreen or deciduous. Evergreen shrubs grow very slowly and their planting is difficult as compared to deciduous shrubs. Shrubs are more important in ornamental gardening due to their permanent nature. They are used to enhance the beauty of gardens, on the edges of greenery (lawns) and in front of bungalows. Shrubs are given more importance than fences.

Shrubs can be divided into three parts-

1. Those shrubs which are grown for beautiful leaves.

2. Those shrubs which are grown for beautiful flowers.

3. Those shrubs which are grown for beautiful leaves and flowers.

Common uses of shrub plants

1. Like trees, shrub plants play an important role in garden planning due to their durability as they help in creating the basic structure of the garden. They are an important part of landscape gardens and when planted in a row of tall trees, they enhance the beauty of the place.

2. Shrubby plants that are able to withstand frequent pruning are used to create various types of shapes that add to the beauty of the garden.

3. If evergreen and deciduous shrubs are planted in a well-planned clump, it looks beautiful and provides peace to the mind.

4. Shrubby plants create a more secluded, soothing and beautiful environment as compared to a fence.

5. It is also used for the purpose of delimiting large gardens. 

6. It is used to protect from hot and strong winds of summer.

7. The beautiful flowers of some shrubby plants like jasmine etc. can also be a source of income.

8. Shrubs can be grown to hide indecent scenes.

9. Coconut, odoratum, pedilanthus etc. are some such shrubs, which have medicinal uses also.

General principles of planting shrubby plants

1. As far as possible, do not plant shrubby plants in the shade of big shady trees and houses.

2. As far as possible, shrubs should be grown in front of big plants because by doing so they look more beautiful and the beauty of a particular place increases.

3. To present the best scenery, shrubby plants should be planted in the east and south direction.

4. Where the height of the clump has to be kept high, the width of their group should be increased. 

5. If the bushes are being planted away from the house, then more height is required but if they are being planted near the house, then in that case the height should be kept low.

6. Bushes can also be grown to provide cover to servants' quarters, home gardens and playgrounds.

7. In large gardens where farming is not possible, bushes are also used for boundary division. 

Selection of suitable plants for shrubs/borders

Shrub plants usually include a variety of plants, but the best and useful plants are those that can be easily grown and maintained in any garden, that can be easily propagated, that can thrive even under normal care, that have attractive color and form and that also bloom attractive and fragrant flowers. Flowering climbers with woody stems can be grown for this purpose. Trees with small flowers and ornamental foliage can be used for clump formation in large gardens. The list of suitable plants for clump or shrub group formation for different places is as follows in the table.

Privacy Shrubs

List of flowering shrubs suitable for shrub border

1. Tall Shrubs (2–5m) --

SI. No.	Botanical    Name	Height (in M	Color of the flower or foliage	Time of flowering	Remarks
1.	Buddelia mcdagas	2.0-3.5	Red, purple	Spring season	Cutting, Layering Fast growing shrubs
2.	Duranta  plumerie	2.0-2.5	Blue flowers and yellow flowers	October-December	By seed, by cutting
3.	Hamelia patens	3.0-4.5	Red flowers and copper colored leaves	Almost the whole year	Evergreen by cutting
4.	Hibiscus mutabilis	2.0-3.0	White creamy color	November-December	Evergreen by cutting
5.	Lager stroemia indica	2.0-2.5	Red, white, pink	May-August	By seed and cutting
6.	Michelia fuscata	2.0-5.3	White, fragrant	May-August	By seed and cutting
7.	Murraya exotica	2-0-3.0	White, fragrant flowers and shiny leaves	From spring to rain	By seed and cutting
8.	Poinsettia pulcherrima	3.3-5.0	Yellow and red flower bracts	Autumn season	By  cutting
9.	Tecoma stans	3.0-3.5	Golden yellow flowers	Whole year	By seed and cutting
10.	Thevetia nerifolia	3.0-3.5	Yellow flowers	Whole year	By seed and cutting
11.	Dombeya spectabilis	2.5-3.5	Pink	November-January	By cutting

                                                                                                                            Small Evergreen Shrubs

2. Medium Shrubs (1.5-2.5 m) --

SI. No.	Botanical Name	Height (in M)	Color of the flower or foliage	Time of flowering	Remarks
1.	Acalypha sp.	1.5-2.0	Colorful leaves	Whole year	By Cutting
2.	Buddleia asiatica	1.5-2.0	White flowers Silver-white leaves	Autumn	By Cutting
3.	B.diversifolia	1.0-1.5	Blue flowers	March	By Cutting
4.	Cestrum aurantiacum	1.5-2.5	Yellow-pink	Whole year	By Layering
5.	C. nocturnum	1.5-2.0	White with a yellow tinge	Autumn	By Layering
6.	C. diarnum	1.5-2.5	White	Whole year	By Layering
7.	Crinum sp.	1.5-2.5	White	October-December	By Division
8.	Crotons sp.	1.5-2.5	Beautiful leaves	Whole year	By Cutting Layering
9.	Meyenia erecta	1.2-1.5	Blue-purple	Autumn	By Cutting
10.	Tecoma capensis	1.2-1.5	Pink-red	Whole year	By Cutting Layering

 

3. Dwarf Shrubs (0.50 1.25m) --

SI. No.	Botanical Name	Height (in M)	Color of the flower or foliage	Time of flowering	Remarks
1.	Acalypha mecaficana	1.0-1.25	Red copper colored leaves	Whole year	By cuttings
2.	Barleria cristata	0.6-1.2	Blue-violet	End of autumn and rainy season	By seed and cuttings
3.	Daedalacanthus sp.	0.1-1.2	Blue flowers	End of autumn	By seed and cuttings
4.	Eranthemum sp.	0.6-1.2	Purple flowers and yellow leaves	Whole year	By cuttings
5.	Graftophyllum	0.3-6-0	Colorful leaves	Whole year	By cuttings
6.	Lantana sello-wiana	1-1-2.5	Mud color	Whole year	By seed and cuttings
7.	Pedilanthus sp.	0.61	White with yellow tinge	Whole year	By seed and cuttings
8.	Pendanus	0.6-1.2	Green fragrant leaves	Whole year	By Division
9.	Russelia floribunda	1.0	Deep red flowers	Summer	By seed and cuttings
10.	Russelia juncea	0.5-1.0	Red flowers	Whole year	By Translated

 Shrubs for Difficult Sites

Agricultural activities for planting shrubs

In making a home garden, shrubs can be planted in any type of land, but there should be proper arrangement for water drainage. Also, there should not be a hard layer in the land, otherwise the growth of the plants is adversely affected. The place where the shrubs are being planted should have full sunlight. Also, there should be no attack of domestic animals!

After selecting a suitable place for planting shrub plants, the land is prepared. First of all, the top 40-45 cm of soil from the surface of the land is dug and turned over and left open in the sun for a few days. After this, 45 to 60 cm deep pits are dug at the place where the plants are to be planted and the soil taken out from these pits is removed. As per requirement, the depth of the pits can be kept up to 70-75 cm. Before filling it in the pits, sufficient amount of cow dung manure or compost should be mixed in the soil. After placing the plant in the pit, the soil should be pressed and made firm. The suitable time for planting most of the plants is mid-August.

The size of the beds is also different for plants of different species. The length of the beds will be according to the particular place, but their width is kept according to the spread of the growth of the plants. Usually the width is kept 3 meters for big bushes, 2.5 meters for medium height bushes and 2.0 meters for small height bushes.

Method of planting bushes - Before planting bushes, detailed information about the growth of plants, color of flowers, time of flowering, height of plants, color and shape of leaves is essential. Deciduous bushes, which shed their leaves in autumn, should never be planted in front of the house, because they reduce the beauty of the particular place. Such deciduous bushes should be planted in the middle of evergreen plants and the lowest height bushes should be planted in the front, the bushes of higher height in the middle and the tallest bushes at the back. While planting shrubs, the time of flowering of the plants should also be kept in mind, so that they can be planted in such a way that they look beautiful and full of flowers throughout the year. Plants of each species are planted in separate groups. The method of planting shrubs should be such that they also have an effect of natural beauty. While planting shrubs, it should also be kept in mind that they should be planted at a distance of at least 1.5 meters from the fence (hedge), so that the roots of the plants do not compete with each other for nutrients and moisture.

Evergreen shrubs should be planted in the rainy season and deciduous shrubs in February-March. Before planting the plants of evergreen shrubs, some of their leaves should be plucked. Also, care should be taken that the earth ball should not break from the plants. Plants should be planted by making pits in the prepared soil according to the size of the lump. Evening time is the best for planting. Light irrigation should be done immediately after planting, so that the plants can get well established. High-height shrubs should be planted at a distance of 3-5 meters, medium-height shrubs at a distance of 2.0-2.5 meters and low-height shrubs at a distance of 1.0 to 1.5 meters.

Use of fertilizers - For proper growth and development of plants, use of fertilizers in the soil from time to time is absolutely necessary. The amount of fertilizers depends on the type of soil and its fertility and the type of plants. Fertilizers should be applied twice a year, i.e. in May and September. Generally, a mixture of the following fertilizers should be made and applied twice a year at the rate of 15 kg per 1000 square meters as mentioned earlier.

Urea                                                  - 200 kg

Single Super Phosphate                    - 500 kg

Muriate of Potash                             - 125 kg

The above fertilizer mixture should be applied after pruning. After applying fertilizer, light irrigation should be done so that the nutrients are easily available to the plants through the roots.

Fast Growing Shrubs

Irrigation - Irrigation of plants depends on the type of soil, environment etc. Irrigation can be stopped during monsoon. If there is no rain for a long period, then irrigation should be done as per requirement. In summer, plants should be irrigated at an interval of 3-4 days and in winter at an interval of 10-15 days. In drought-affected areas, mulch of dry grass should be spread so that the moisture of the upper surface of the soil can be saved. In this way, plants will require less irrigation. 

Weeding - Weeding is very necessary for good growth of plants. Weeding not only destroys weeds but also helps in air circulation in the soil and increases the water absorption capacity of the soil. Weeding 4-5 times a year is sufficient.

Pruning - Pruning of bushes is a necessary work, but not enough attention is paid to it. This work is done with the aim of giving a particular height and shape to the plants. Bushes which bear flowers on new branches should be pruned at the end of winter so that new branches can develop from those plants in spring and flowers can bloom in sufficient numbers on them. Bushes which bear flowers on old branches should be pruned when the flowers are blooming and fading away. Pruning should be done with a secateur or pruning knife. After pruning, it is very important to provide nutrients to the soil for the plants. If cow dung manure is available, then 25 to 30 quintals of it should be mixed thoroughly in the soil per 1000 square meters.