There is nothing quite like a shrub to add some flair to your home’s landscaping. It doesn’t hurt that these attractive plants add privacy to make you feel more comfortable at home. However, just because they are a stylish addition to your yard does not mean that they are all fun; you still need to take care of them like any other living plant. Fortunately, there are three tips to remember so you can properly maintain your shrubs and keep them looking beautiful.

1. Get the Right Tools

There are a few different gardening tools that you should have on hand to properly care for your shrubs. Some examples of gear that you don’t want to skip include electric or gas trimmers, pruners, manual trimmers and high-quality loppers. While loppers are required for larger and thicker shrubs, some sturdy pruning shears will be more than enough to properly trim smaller branches, so keep those on hand, as well.

You will also want to make sure that you have a pair of protective gardening gloves. Landscaping of any kind can lead to injuries, but pruning shrubs can be a particularly complicated situation. You may end up with some unpleasant cuts and scrapes if you are not careful to get the heaviest-duty gloves that you can find.

2. Know Your Shrubs

Did you know that there are different varieties of shrubs? There are, and they all require unique care. If you still haven’t picked out your shrubs, take some time to research what kinds are the easiest to care for throughout the year. If you already have some shrubs growing in your yard, you will still need to educate yourself regarding the specific maintenance needs of the variations that are present. That way, you will know what upkeep is involved rather than trying to guess what your plants need.

3. Consider Professional Help

The fact is that, in many cases, shrub care is just too complicated and time-consuming to handle by yourself. You also may quickly find that you are just not that interested in doing the research necessary to properly tend to these lovely plants. In cases such as these, a seasoned and knowledgeable landscaping professional can assist you. A landscaper will understand exactly what your shrubs need to stay healthy and gorgeous for years to come, and your time will no longer be wasted trying to manage their care throughout the year.

Armed with these tips, you will now be able to make sure that you have some of the most stunning shrubs on your block for years to come. Maybe you will want to share some of these tips with your neighbors so they can keep up with your masterful decorating!