Shrub

A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically featuring multiple stems and dense foliage that adds structure, privacy, and curb appeal to your landscape. Whether you're planting new shrubs, pruning overgrown ones, or replacing damaged plants, proper care makes all the difference. Angi connects you with local pros who can help your shrubs thrive and keep your yard looking its best.

Related to Shrub Service

Shrub Service Articles and Advice
Tyler Lacoma  •  Apr 10, 2026
11 Types of Privet Hedges and How to Pick the Right One
Privet hedges are very common, but which kind is right for your yard? Our guide goes over the different types of privet hedge and what every homeowner should know.
Mizuki Hisaka  •  Apr 10, 2026
What Is a Privet Hedge? Pros, Cons, and Maintenance Tips
What is a privet hedge and why should you consider it for your backyard? Use this guide to consider the pros and cons along with upkeep and maintenance tips.
Haniya Rae  •  Apr 10, 2026
How To Remove Holly Bushes: A Complete Guide
Hiring a pro isn’t necessary when removing holly bushes. This guide can help you make quick work of the holly bush removal process.
Michelle Nati  •  Apr 10, 2026
25 Types of Shrubs to Consider for Your Landscape
Shrubs come in a huge array of shapes and colors. Here are 25 beautiful and low-maintenance types of shrubs to consider for your landscape.
Tyler Lacoma  •  Apr 10, 2026
How to Trim Overgrown Shrubs: 6 Steps to Success
Unattended bushes and shrubs can quickly become overgrown and start causing problems. Rein them back in with our overgrown shrub trimming guide.
Tyler Lacoma  •  Apr 10, 2026
How to Plant a Shrub for the Best Growth and Appearance
You’ve got big plans for a new shrub. We’ve got the guide you need on how to plant a shrub correctly for the best results.
Ginny Bartolone  •  Apr 6, 2026
How to Grow Lavender Indoors and Out (and Keep It Alive)
From the kitchen counter to the rose garden, lavender is a beloved and versatile plant. Here's how to grow it indoors and out, and how to care for it.
Dina Cheney  •  Apr 6, 2026
The Best Outdoor Shower Plants to Improve Your Landscape
Are you looking to add plants to your outdoor shower for privacy, color, and fragrance? Read on for some suggestions.
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Common Shrub Service Questions

While driving a copper nail into the trunk of a tree or shrub is often touted as an effective means of killing it, it’s not enough to kill the plant completely. Tiny quantities of copper may dissolve and move throughout the plant, but most plants will not die from such a low concentration. Of course, if your shrub is relatively small, it might work and may be worth a try, but other methods are more effective.

Trimming a rose bush is similar to cutting back your shrubs or other bushes. 

First, you’ll start by removing old, damaged, or diseased branches from the base. Next, thin out the plant's interior by removing thin, weak branches. Finally, you’ll want to cut off buds where the leaves meet the stem. 

Trim away using a 45-degree angle, as this will help with water runoff and promote new growth outward.

It’s not a good idea to transplant a recently planted shrub. New shrubs need all the help they can get to develop a strong root system, and they may not survive a transplant after recently being planted. Try to avoid changing your mind after the first planting: It’s better to spend some time dragging your shrub around to different spots in your yard and reviewing it than to transplant later.

Consider your shrub must establish itself to create a strong root system that expands into the soil and anchors it in place. That process takes time for shrubs, usually around a year or more. That’s another reason why many people prefer to plant them in fall, especially in milder climates, so the shrub can take its time and develop its roots over the colder months before a spring push.

They can be similar, especially when planted in rows. But hedges are planted close together to form a barrier, wall, or covering, and many hedges are built to intertwine over time. Shrubs are less about creating a barrier and more about filling empty spots, adding gentle contours to a landscape, or providing more shade in an area. As a result, they tend to be more spaced out and solitary, and are often allowed to grow larger.