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The words bush, tree or plant are commonly used incorrectly in the colloquial sphere, when we speak in a relaxed way between friends or family. However, a bush is much more than a small tree and it is important to know its exact definition and what really differentiates a bush from a tree.
If you wonder what a bush is and examples of this type of vegetables or what shrubs are like and what their size is, among more curiosities about them, join us in this Green Ecologist article in which we talk about what are the bushes and many more details.
What are shrubs and their characteristics
The mistake of thinking that the only thing that differentiates a tree from a bush is its size is very common. Thus, the majority of people without knowledge of gardening or botany call trees to species with more than two meters in height, shrubs to intermediate ones and plants in general to herbaceous, which are smaller in size. The shrub characteristicsFortunately, they are much more specific and easy to define.
- For starters, what defines a shrub is not its size at all, although it tends to be one of the characteristics that are most quickly identified. So if we talk how big are the bushesWe can say that these can reach heights of up to 6 meters, and even more on some occasions. However, in general, its size is usually much smaller.
- A bush is a woody plant species, that is to say, that it has its stems and its hard and rigid, lignified branches, which raises its structure not on a single trunk, like trees, but with ramifications that are already divided from their base at ground level or even below.
- Another characteristic of the shrubs is the lots of roots that they develop and how dense they are from low height, which makes them very popular as hedges and to delimit spaces in gardening. However, these traits, of course, vary greatly from species to species.
- We can also indicate that they are species with a great resistance to changes in the weather.
Types of bushes
Depending on the area in which we are talking, we can classify the bushes differently. A classification consists of differentiating the flowering bushes of those that do not produce them, another difference between evergreen shrubs of which they are deciduous shrubs. When we want to prepare a green area, it is also common to think about what are the fast growing shrubs or what are slower growing shrubs.
However, one of the most used classifications to define the types of bushes It is the one that differentiates them according to their size. The climbing bushes are those that need a surface or support of some kind to use to support it in different ways, growing around this structure. They are very popular for the decoration of pergolas, facades, walls and surfaces of all kinds. The non-climbing shrubs, who are the majority, do not need this help and are able to support themselves.
Shrub names
Here are some examples of shrubs:
Azalea
Azaleas are plants of the genus Rhododendron. These are small, evergreen shrubs that rarely exceed 50 cm in height and originate from Asia. These are plants highly valued for their flowers, in white, red or yellow colors, which are very showy and decorative. They are semi-shadow species that resist frosts down to -2 ° C or -3 ° C, which is why they are often used in slightly cold climates.
In this link you can learn more about the characteristics of the azalea plant and its care.
Hydrangea
The Hydrangea macrophylla, much better known by its name of hydrangea, is a shrub up to 3 meters in height that has its origin in Japan, although it is currently widely spread. Like the azalea, it is very popular for its flowers, which it produces grouped in large inflorescences of striking whites, reds and pinks. Also like the azalea, it prefers semi-shade and resists light frosts.
Here you can consult the Care of hydrangeas and Care of blue hydrangeas and how to grow them.
Lavender
Plants of the genus LavandulaCommonly called lavender, lavender or lavender, they are a whole genus with about 60 species. It is a wild shrub that requires very little care to grow and that will provide a pleasant and unmistakable aroma to any space. It also stands out for its medicinal properties, highly appreciated in infusions of its leaves.
In these other Green Ecologist articles we show you 12 types of lavender, How to plant lavender and Caring for the lavender plant.
Other names of shrubs
- Gardenia
- Camellia
- Hibiscus
- Celindo
- Bougainvillea
- Abelia
- China rose
- Cape Milkmaid
Also, if you want to discover more species of shrubs, here you will see 21 flowering shrubs.
Difference between tree and bush
The defining characteristic when it comes to differentiate a tree from a bush It is not the height, but the log, as we mentioned before. If it has a single trunk, from which secondary branches start from a certain height, it is a tree (here you can learn about different types of trees), while, if it is already branched from its base, it is a shrub.
It must be borne in mind here that there are some species, such as the olive tree, that humans prune and modify so that they adopt arboreal appearance and thus give more fruit or conform to certain aesthetic canons, but since it is a modification artificial, does not make them stop being shrubs.
Here you can learn more about the case of Trees and shrubs for topiary pruning, that is, for ornamental use.
If you want to read more articles similar to What are bushesWe recommend that you enter our Nature Curiosities category.
