Uses for certain shrubs

The shape and variety you choose for a shrub can depend largely on the use you plan to make of the shrub in your garden. For example, if you need a hedge to act as wind break, you can plant the tough, upright bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica). If you want a low boundary hedge, English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) which is rounded and quite tolerant of pruning would be a good choice. If you have the room, and you want to mask a compost heap or some such eyesore, look for a large evergreen, such as an eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), holly(Ilex),yew (Taxus) or an upright form of juniper.