Shrubs: A Valuable Addition to Property and Garden

Shrubs are versatile woody plants that enrich garden landscapes, provide privacy, and can significantly increase property value and energy efficiency. They are excellent solutions for designing both large garden areas and smaller home gardens. Let's take a closer look at what shrubs are, which types are cultivated in Estonia, and how they help create a more beautiful and functional home environment.

What are shrubs?

Shrubs are woody plants that typically reach heights below 8 meters and characteristically have multiple stems or trunks (unlike trees, which generally have one main trunk). They offer diverse possibilities for garden design – from windbreaks to decorative elements. The variety of shrubs allows you to create different layers in your garden landscape, enriching both the visual experience and natural diversity in your home surroundings.

Shrub species in Estonia

Native species

Several shrub species grow naturally in Estonia, ideally adapted to the local climate:

• Common juniper (Juniperus communis) – known for its blue berries and aromatic wood. These hardy shrubs can live for centuries and provide beautiful greenery in winter when the rest of the garden is dormant.

• Common bird cherry (Prunus padus) – a shrub with beautiful white flowers in spring, filling the garden with a pleasant aroma. Later, black berries ripen to provide food for many birds.

• Common rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) – a decorative shrub/small tree with red berries, whose fruits remain on the branches for a long time, providing visual appeal even in winter.

• Barberry (Berberis) – an effective shrub that also works well as a hedge. Some varieties offer beautiful autumn colors, turning leaves bright orange or red.

• Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum) – a shade-tolerant shrub that works well for creating understory planting. It is an excellent choice for areas where other plants won't grow.

Popular ornamental shrubs

Many imported ornamental shrubs are widely cultivated in gardens and green spaces:

• Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) – a shrub with fragrant flowers in spring, a favorite of many Estonians. Lilacs are available in various color tones from white to dark purple.

• Hybrid hydrangea (Hydrangea) – a shrub with beautiful flower clusters, whose color depends on soil pH. In acidic soil, flowers are blue; in alkaline soil, they are pink – a natural chemistry lab in your garden!

• Mock orange (Philadelphus) – a white-flowering shrub with intense fragrance that fills the entire garden with a sweet aroma. It is often mistakenly called jasmine, although botanically it has nothing to do with jasmine.

• Spiraea (Spiraea) – a diverse shrub genus with many different varieties. These are extremely hardy and easy to maintain, making them well-suited for beginner gardeners.

• Forsythia (Forsythia) – a shrub with yellow flowers in early spring, blooming before leaves appear. It is one of the first spring heralds in the garden, providing a splash of color when the rest of nature is just awakening.

Uses of shrubs in landscape design

Shrubs have several functional and aesthetic roles in gardens and around houses:

Windbreaks and privacy

Densely planted shrub rows are excellent windbreaks and privacy walls. They are particularly useful in open areas where it is desirable to protect a house or garden area from strong winds.

When creating privacy, evergreen shrubs are especially good, providing visual protection year-round. Combining different shrub types can create a multi-layered protection that works both as a visual barrier and as a sound dampener from the street or neighbors.

Aesthetic value and habitats for animals

Flowering shrubs transform the garden with color and fragrance. Additionally, they provide shelter and food for many birds and insects, increasing biological diversity in your garden. Berry-bearing shrubs attract birds, which in turn help control populations of garden pests.

When planning your garden shrubs, think through the sequence of blooming periods – this way you can create a garden that offers visual pleasure from spring through fall. For example, forsythia blooms in early spring, lilacs in May, mock orange in June, and hydrangeas in late summer through fall.

Hedges and borders

Shrubs can be shaped into beautiful hedges that define plots or separate different garden areas from each other. Popular hedge species include barberry, privet, and lilac. Hedges can be formal (precisely trimmed) or informal, depending on the overall garden style and owner preferences.

Lower shrubs can also create visual boundaries in gardens, helping to divide space into different areas while not obstructing views. This is particularly useful when designing small balconies or terraces, where space is limited but you want to create different functional zones.

Shrub maintenance

Planting and initial care

The best time to plant shrubs is autumn or early spring. It is recommended to:

1. Dig a sufficiently large planting hole – at least twice as wide as the root ball

2. Mix compost or special planting soil into the soil to ensure nutrient availability

3. Water the shrub thoroughly after planting, ensuring water reaches deep into the roots

4. Add mulch around the shrub to retain moisture and suppress weed growth

During the first year after planting, the shrub needs regular watering, especially during dry periods. This helps the root system develop properly and the shrub to adjust to its new location.

Pruning and shaping

Shrub pruning is important for their health and appearance. The timing of pruning depends on the shrub species:

• Flowering shrubs that bloom on previous year's shoots (such as lilac) are pruned after flowering to avoid removing next year's flower buds

• Shrubs that bloom on current year's shoots (such as hydrangea) are pruned in late winter or early spring before active growth begins

Note that felling and maintenance pruning of shrubs in public areas must be coordinated with the local municipality. A cutting restriction period applies from April through the end of July due to bird nesting, during which extensive pruning is prohibited.

Regular maintenance pruning – removing dead or diseased branches – is permitted and recommended year-round, as it helps maintain the shrub's health and aesthetic appearance.

Preparing for winter

In Estonia's harsh winters, some ornamental shrubs can suffer frost damage. Native species are more winter-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -30°C, but many ornamental shrubs need winter protection:

• Cover more delicate shrubs for winter with spruce branches or special covering material that protects them from cold winds

• Place a layer of mulch around the shrub to help protect roots from freezing

• Avoid using salt near shrubs when clearing pathways, as this can cause serious damage

If you want to know more about caring for your garden or terrace, also read our article on garden and terrace maintenance, where you will find practical tips for maintaining various garden elements.

Shrubs and property value

Energy efficiency

Strategically placed shrubs can significantly improve a house's energy efficiency:

• Evergreen shrubs planted on the north side protect against winds, reducing heat loss during cold seasons

• Deciduous shrubs on the south side provide shade in summer, reducing cooling costs, but allow light and warmth through in winter when leaves have fallen

For example, a spruce hedge on the north side can function like an additional insulation layer, blocking cold winds and reducing heat loss through walls and windows. In summer, deciduous shrubs provide shade, keeping the house cooler and reducing the need for air conditioning.

Increasing property value

Well-maintained landscaping, including beautiful shrubs, can significantly increase property value.

Particularly valued are low-maintenance yet visually attractive shrub species that provide year-round appeal without excessive maintenance. A beautiful garden can create a first impression that proves decisive in a buyer's purchasing decision.

If you are considering purchasing a prefabricated house, it is good to know that modern landscaping, including appropriate shrubs, complements this type of building particularly well. Prefabricated houses and natural garden landscaping form a harmonious whole that fits ideally into the Estonian landscape and climate.

Buying and selecting shrubs

Selection criteria

When selecting shrubs, you should consider the following factors:

1. Growing location – what is the soil type, light conditions, and moisture in your garden. For example, lilacs grow well in lime-rich soil, while rhododendrons prefer more acidic soil.

2. Full-grown size – allow sufficient space for the shrub to expand. Do not plant shrubs too close to buildings or paths, taking into account their mature dimensions.

3. Maintenance level – how much time you are willing to dedicate to shrub care. Some species, such as spiraea, are very low-maintenance, while formal hedges require regular pruning.

4. Winter hardiness – whether the shrub can withstand Estonian winters. Most native species are very hardy, but more exotic choices may need winter protection.

5. Aesthetic qualities – blooming time, flower color, leaf shape, etc. Plan your garden's color palette and blooming periods so the garden remains interesting throughout the growing season.

Where to buy?

Shrubs can be obtained from garden centers, tree nurseries, and online stores. It is advisable to buy preferably from local producers, whose plants are already adapted to the Estonian climate.

Local tree nurseries often provide advice to help select plants suitable for your specific garden. Additionally, plants purchased from local producers are typically better adapted to the local climate and better tolerate our winters.

When buying from online stores, it is worth researching the supplier's background and customer feedback. Also ensure that the plant is suitable for the Estonian climate and that the seller provides quality support in case of problems.

Practical tips for using shrubs in the garden

Recommendations for beginners

1. Start with simpler species – spiraea, lilac, and forsythia are relatively low-maintenance and forgiving of beginner gardener mistakes. These shrubs grow quickly and provide visible results in the short term.

2. Prefer native species – these are more hardy and require less maintenance. Native species are adapted to our climate and can better tolerate both hot summers and cold winters.

3. Plan carefully – consider the full-grown size of shrubs and leave them sufficient space. Shrubs planted too densely will compete with each other and may start to decline.

4. Use mulch – it retains moisture and reduces weed growth. Mulch is particularly useful in the first years after planting, when the shrub is establishing itself and developing its root system.

Additionally, it's worth remembering that patience is a gardener's virtue – most shrubs reach their full potential only after several years. If a shrub doesn't bloom as abundantly as you hoped in the first year, don't worry – results will improve noticeably in subsequent years.

Smart solutions for small gardens

If you have a small balcony or limited garden space, you can use:

1. Container-grown shrubs – many smaller shrub species grow well in pots. Dwarf varieties and evergreen shrubs are particularly suitable, providing year-round interest.

2. Vertical greenery – climbing shrubs like ivy take minimal floor space but create vertical greenery. These are ideal solutions for small balconies or narrow gardens.

3. Dwarf varieties – many shrub species have been bred into more compact forms suitable for small gardens. For example, dwarf lilacs or miniature roses offer the same beauty as their larger relatives but take up less space.

Additionally, you can consider combining shrubs with low perennials – this way you can create a multi-layered garden that maximizes the use of limited space.

Pest repelling

Some shrubs like lavender and tansy naturally repel harmful insects. More advice on repelling mosquitoes and wasps can be found in our blog.

The diversity of shrubs in the garden helps create a balanced ecosystem where habitats exist for beneficial insects like pollinators and predatory insects, which in turn help keep pest populations under control. Therefore, it is worthwhile to prefer different shrub species that bloom at different times and provide diverse living environments.

Shrubs and property regulations

If you plan to plant shrubs on your property, note that building regulations may set restrictions. For example, land sales in Väike-Maarja municipality show that the building area must not exceed 20% of the plot. When developing your plot, it is worth leaving space for landscaping, including shrubs.

Felling and maintenance pruning of shrubs in public areas must be coordinated with the local municipality. It is important to know that a cutting restriction period applies from April through the end of July due to bird nesting, when extensive shrub pruning is prohibited.

Before planting shrubs on your property, it is worth checking that they won't interfere with utilities or neighbor rights in the future. This is particularly important in more densely populated areas, where planting shrubs too close to the border may cause conflicts with neighbors.

Summary

Shrubs are a valuable addition to any garden and property. They provide both aesthetic beauty, privacy, and practical benefits in terms of energy savings. 2025 trends show that natural and low-maintenance shrubs are increasingly popular, especially among climate-conscious property owners.

A well-chosen and maintained shrub collection can be an investment that pays for itself both in improved daily quality of life and increased property value. Are you looking for a new home with a beautifully landscaped plot or want to increase the value of your existing property? Visit Kinnisvara24's apartment sales page or find a professional real estate agent who will help you find a property that meets your needs.