The seeds and fruits of shrubs are generally dispersed by animals, mainly birds. Less commonly are they spread by the wind, as is the case with seeds of the willow, green alder, lilac and mock orange. Most shrubs have fleshy fruits that the birds feed on, dispersing them either by dropping or wiping them from their beaks or in their excrement.
Shrubs multiply naturally by means of seeds and may also be propagated vegetatively i.e. by suckers, cuttings, grafting or budding. Various methods are suitable for the various species of shrubs, each method having advantages and disadvantages.
Tender young seedlings require great care during the first two years, and plants from such seedlings may also grow slowly during this initial period, so it is some time before they can be transplanted to their permanent site. However, seedlings usually have good root anchorage and attain a greater age than alternatively propagated plants.
Shrubs often found growing on sandy, light and fertile soils include the barberry, common broom, pea tree, French tamarisk and service-berry. Heavy and more fertile soils are preferred by the honeysuckle, wayfaring, guelder rose, common elder, hawthorn, Oregon grape, medlar and other shrubs. Woody plants growing on poor, light Nulls include most members of the family Leguminosae. Their modest requirements and hardiness are made possible by their mytichiotic association with the bacteria living in their root nodules. These are nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which increase the nitrogen content of the soil surrounding the roots and improve he nourishment of the shrub.
However, they are unable to obtain water from the frozen soil to replace that which has evaporated and the result is that later in spring they turn brown and dry up. For that reason shade-loving evergreen shrubs should never be planted in places fully exposed to sunlight from the south.
Shrubs may be propagated by vegetative means with varying degrees of ease. In some species all one need do is cut off a branch, insert it in the ground and within one to two years it will grow into a young shrub that can be transplanted. Other species are better multiplied by summer cuttings of soft leafy shoots. Some shrubs cannot be multiplied by stem cuttings at all. In such cases it is necessary to use root cuttings.
Shrubs multiply naturally by means of seeds and may also be propagated vegetatively i.e. by suckers, cuttings, grafting or budding. Various methods are suitable for the various species of shrubs, each method having advantages and disadvantages.
Tender young seedlings require great care during the first two years, and plants from such seedlings may also grow slowly during this initial period, so it is some time before they can be transplanted to their permanent site. However, seedlings usually have good root anchorage and attain a greater age than alternatively propagated plants.
Shrubs often found growing on sandy, light and fertile soils include the barberry, common broom, pea tree, French tamarisk and service-berry. Heavy and more fertile soils are preferred by the honeysuckle, wayfaring, guelder rose, common elder, hawthorn, Oregon grape, medlar and other shrubs. Woody plants growing on poor, light Nulls include most members of the family Leguminosae. Their modest requirements and hardiness are made possible by their mytichiotic association with the bacteria living in their root nodules. These are nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which increase the nitrogen content of the soil surrounding the roots and improve he nourishment of the shrub.
However, they are unable to obtain water from the frozen soil to replace that which has evaporated and the result is that later in spring they turn brown and dry up. For that reason shade-loving evergreen shrubs should never be planted in places fully exposed to sunlight from the south.
Shrubs may be propagated by vegetative means with varying degrees of ease. In some species all one need do is cut off a branch, insert it in the ground and within one to two years it will grow into a young shrub that can be transplanted. Other species are better multiplied by summer cuttings of soft leafy shoots. Some shrubs cannot be multiplied by stem cuttings at all. In such cases it is necessary to use root cuttings.
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In garden planning, round boulders and flat slabs must be skilfully balanced together to build a dry stone wall in the garden.
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