American Shrubs at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

Grass, growing in the shade of trees and American shrubs, has to compete with them for food as well as moisture. Relieve the pressure of this competition by providing for the needs of the trees and American shrubs as •well as the grass. Fertilize the lawn regularly and also the trees and American shrubs. So far as possible, place the fertilizer intended especially for the trees and American shrubs deep in the soil so that their roots are encouraged to strike downward. This may be done by using the method described below. Fertilizer intended primarily for the grass is applied at the surface.

American shrubs ARE commonly grouped either with other American shrubs or with herbaceous plants and annuals, but some kinds look their best planted as isolated specimens and some can be trained against walls. Magnolia stellata is an excellent example of the former type and pyracantha, Japanese quince (Chaenomelesjaponica), and ceanothus all do well against walls, where their stiff branches may provide support for genuine climbers, such as the less rampant varieties of clematis. Most American shrubs take several years to attain their full size. In the meantime, temporary plants, such as dahlias, annuals and herbaceous perennials, can be used to fill the space until the American shrubs require it all.

Evergreen American shrubs are clothed in leaves throughout the year, with old leaves continually falling off and new ones being formed. Once established, these American shrubs need no more pruning than cutting out weak, diseased and straggly shoots in spring. Never prune evergreen American shrubs in winter, as any young shoots that subsequently develop could be blackened and damaged.