In landscaping design, one of the most difficult questions to answer is: what shrubs bloom the longest? The issue is not as cut-and-dry as one might think. While some shrubs can grow a long way in a relatively short amount of time, others will only bloom for a limited period of time. Additionally, many shrubs have “extensions” where they sprout additional leaves; these are generally a good indicator that the plant is healthy and doing well.
The biggest factor in determining how long a shrub will bloom is, of course, when you can observe the blooms. Unfortunately, many gardeners do not have regular blooming time. While some species have fairly regular behaviors, many have very erratic behaviors. This is not really too much of a concern unless you want a shrub to fill an entire landscape border, such as a fence or archway. Most people do not want to put effort into a landscape project only to have it end up with an uninteresting corner.
One good way to determine the length of a shrub is to look at the height. The taller the plant, the more foliage it has. Shrubs with large white blooms are generally bushy. Bushy shrubs are good choices for borders, because their large size will allow you to fill out the landscaping area with blooms over time.
Many landscapers will tell you to plant shrubs that are in bloom at the same time, or that you should plant your tallest ones first and leave the others last. This makes sense intuitively: the tallest shrubs will provide the most shade and support for the rest of the landscape. However, what most landscape artists do not know is that you can actually get the most from your landscape if you plant your tallest shrubs at the beginning of your landscape and let them bloom at the end. This will ensure that your whole landscape is supported by the tallest and most impressive blossoms, and you will enjoy the blooms throughout your season.
Of course, if you are a landscaper and your goal is strictly beauty, you might opt to plant the tallest shrubs in the shortest distance between your buildings and sidewalks. You will be able to appreciate their blooms for longer periods of time. If you like to walk barefoot around your yard, the blooms from your shrubs will keep you warm while stepping on them! The best thing about them is that they will provide a beautiful background for your walkways, even if you are not walking on them directly.
Finally, it is important to note that when thinking of what shrubs to plant and how much space you need for each one, you should consider the climate in which you live. Some shrubs need more sun than others, and some require more water than others. You might also want to think about where you live in regards to what elevation you are at. Shrubs generally bloom best when they are closer to the ground. While you might be able to get away with a few inches of height if you are in a desert, for climates like those found in the northeast or southwest, a few feet of elevation is really necessary to guarantee that your shrubs are getting all the sun, water, and shade they need!