There are several unsung heroes of landscaping. From well-lit paths that guide guests to the right places to the shade trees that offer a reprieve from the searing sun throughout a hot Tampa Bay summer, many overlooked aspects of a property are what make or break it. There may be no better example of this than shrubs. They provide shape and structure to flower beds and features. They create texture and add layers to architecture. They’re beautiful in their own right, simple to care for, and adaptable to just about any landscaping vision.

Yet property owners tend to shrug off their shrubs. This is especially true of commercial properties where there is a business that demands attention, money, and time. Sometimes, shrubs just fall to the wayside. Before you know it, your shrugs are nearing the end of their lifespan, and the glue that holds your landscape together is unraveling at the seams.

Here’s what you need to know about the lifespan of your commercial shrubs and how to help them thrive.

How Long Do Shrubs Live?

Like all living things, the lifespan of shrubs can vary. Different varieties may have different lifespans, and how you care for them will certainly play a role in their longevity.

Typically, a shrub can live a healthy life of 10 to 15 years. Your shrub may exist beyond that time frame—possibly even for decades—but once it crosses 15 years, the health and aesthetic of the shrub will decline. Older shrubs will most likely exhibit bald spots, inconsistent growth, and other shortcomings that negatively affect your property’s appearance.

Lengthening the Lifespan of Your Commercial Shrubs

There are many factors that can cut the life of your shrubs short. Familiarizing yourself with these risks and working with a landscaper who is adept at caring for shrubs is a great way to ensure your shrubs live the longest, healthiest lives possible.

The first concern starts with planting. Whether it’s planting a shrub in the wrong location—some shrubs need a certain level of sun exposure, for example—or at the wrong depth for the roots to take hold, failing to correctly plant a shrub can cut its lifespan short.

Disease is another cause for concern, so taking care to protect your shrubs from a gambit of diseases and pests is essential. Working with a professional landscaper to apply proper sprays and treatments in the correct way is key.

Weather and stress are two more potentially harmful factors that should be accounted for. They often go hand-in-hand, too. For example, drought can cause stress that decreases the productive lifespan of your shrubs. So, too, can the stress caused by excessive heat, including that caused by the radiance of parking lots.

With these factors in mind, it is important to maintain your shrubs during their lives to help them thrive. In addition to the tips above, you will want to prune them regularly and in the right manner, fertilize the right plants at the right time, mulch properly, and provide each shrub variety with the proper hydration.

Help Your Commercial Tampa Bay Property Shrine with Shrubs

The health of your shrubs can greatly impact the appearance of your landscape. Older shrubs that are no longer in their prime can make your property look dated and unwieldy, even if everything else is pristine. That’s why we recommend working with a trusted landscaping expert to help your shrubs live their best lives for years to come.

Landcrafters has been helping Tampa Bay area commercial properties excel for over 20 years. To talk to a landscaping expert about your property, feel free to reach out to us. You can also check out our regularly-updated blog. It’s packed with tips and tricks that range from landscape design and maintenance to irrigation and water features.