Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Landscape With Shrubs in Texas
How to Landscape With Shrubs in Texas. Shrubs soften the separation between trees and perennial flowers in the garden. Many shrubs are evergreen or provide year-round interest in the garden. As Texas is one of the largest states in the Union, it's no surprise it has diverse growing conditions. Before you plant a shrub, make sure it thrives in your...
Shrubs soften the separation between trees and perennial flowers in the garden. Many shrubs are evergreen or provide year-round interest in the garden. As Texas is one of the largest states in the Union, it's no surprise it has diverse growing conditions. Before you plant a shrub, make sure it thrives in your local USDA hardiness zone. Always consider your shrub's mature size and growing needs before selecting a location for your new plant.
Things You'll Need
Shovel
Compost
Sharp knife
Mulch
Select your shrubs. Shrubs that grow well in Texas include several varieties of holly, oleander, boxwood and viburnum. Position shrubs in a row to form a living fence or divide sections of the yard. Planted in a group, they form a mass of color. Near the home they serve as specimen plants. Select shrubs with fragrant flowers to take advantage of various scents.
Loosen the ground with a shovel to a depth of at least 18 inches. Remove all rocks, old roots or other obstructions in the soil. Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of compost over the soil and mix well. The compost will add nutrients to your Texas soil as well as improve drainage and soil composition. Rake smooth.
Dig a hole with a shovel twice as deep and wide as your shrub's root ball. Fill the hole with water and allow it to drain. This will assure your soil is well-drained and soften the soil for the shrub's roots.
Remove the shrub from its previous container. If the roots are tightly woven, gently loosen or score with a sharp knife.
Fill the hole with enough dirt so the top of the root ball will be at soil level. Place the shrub in the hole. Fill the hole with dirt and tamp the soil down firmly.
Water well to collapse any air pockets and to bring moisture to roots. Continue to water until the first few inches of soil is wet. Water deeply rather than frequently to train the roots to burrow deep into the earth for water.
Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the shrub, being careful to avoid the trunk. The mulch will regulate soil temperatures and retain moisture as well as retard weed growth.
