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Wild shrubs are an important design element for natural gardens. Various types and their requirements are presented here. They are also suitable for planting a hedge, which is suitable, for example, as a breeding ground for birds.

In a nutshell

  • Natural gardens are nesting places, food and hiding places for many animals
  • most have thorns, some are poisonous
  • Wild shrubs are often less demanding than cultivated plants
  • they have attractive foliage, flowers and fruits

Wild shrubs for natural gardens from A to G

Chokeberry (aronia) - edible

The chokeberry is often grafted on stems, but grows wild as a low shrub. In the natural garden, it is suitable as food for birds that like to eat the black berries. In autumn, the Aronia develops an attractive reddish foliage.

  • Size: 1 - 2 m high
  • Location: no special requirements, rather sunny
  • Flowers: white, end of April to May
  • Maintenance:
    • undemanding, little fertilizing and watering
    • Propagation via stolons or self-sowing

Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) - poisonous

The sour thorn is the only barberry native to Germany. Since these shrubs are hosts to grain rust, they have been nearly eradicated. With their red berries, they are an attractive addition to natural gardens.

Barberry is also called vinegar berry
  • Size: small to medium-tall shrub
  • Location: undemanding in terms of soil, sunny or partially shaded
  • Flowers: yellow, May to June
  • Maintenance:
    • Mulch replaces additional watering and fertilizing
    • Propagation via cuttings

Common wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) - edible

These shrubs are also known as goji berries and the dried berries are available for purchase in organic stores. They are considered a superfood. Planting time is in spring.

Source: AnRo0002, 20150927Lycium barbarum2, Edited by Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Size: 2 - 4 m in height and width
  • Demands: well drained soil, sunny
  • Flowers: violet, June to August
  • Maintenance:
    • water when dry
    • fertilize with compost in spring
    • Propagation via stolons

Notice: The buckthorn is very keen on spreading, if this is not desired, a root barrier must be dug in.

Common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) - inedible to poisonous

The snowberry is known under the name cracker pea bush. The plant originally comes from North America and was used as an ornamental shrub in Germany. In the meantime, however, there are also wild specimens.

  • Size: 1 - 2 m high
  • Demands: sunny, otherwise undemanding, does not like waterlogging
  • Flowers: white and pink, June to September
  • Maintenance:
    • Fertilizer and irrigation not necessary
    • Mulch layer in the root area makes sense
    • Propagation via seeds and stolons, spread by birds

Broom (Genista) - poisonous

Broom species are either shrubs or subshrubs and develop a long taproot, making it difficult to transplant them later.

Common broom, Cytisus scoparius
  • Size: 50 cm to 2 m high
  • Location: no waterlogging, as sunny as possible
  • Flowers: yellow butterfly flowers, May to July
  • Maintenance:
    • water and fertilize little
    • too much fertilizer puts flowers at a disadvantage compared to leaf growth
    • Propagation via seeds and cuttings

From H to L

Dogwood (Cornus) - poisonous

The wild dogwood species in Germany include the cornel and blood-red dogwood.

Dogwood, Cornus
  • Size: 1.5 to 5 m tall or small tree (cornus)
  • Location: sunny, nutrient-rich soil, likes loamy
  • Flowers: yellow, May to July
  • Maintenance:
    • do not let dry out, avoid waterlogging
    • fertilize from time to time, mulch
    • Propagation via seeds and cuttings

Notice: The blood red dogwood gets its name from its red shoots. So that you don't have to do without this beautiful color, the shrub is regularly planted on the stick.

Hazelnut bush (Corylus avellana) - edible

There are many cultivars of the hazelnut that are very productive and belong more to the useful plants. However, the hazel also has its place in natural gardens, as it can be a retreat for a wide variety of animals.

  • Size: 5 to 6 m high
  • Site: for a rich yield, humus and nutrient-rich soil, sunny position
  • Flowering: inconspicuous, winter and early spring
  • Maintenance:
    • water in case of prolonged drought
    • fertilize with compost in spring
    • Propagation via sinkers

Honeysuckle (Lonicera) - poisonous

Several species of honeysuckle are native to Germany. Including the black and the red honeysuckle. These shrubs are suitable for hedges in natural gardens.

Honeysuckle - Lonicera - honeysuckle
  • Size: 1 to 3 m high and wide
  • Demands: sunny location, well-drained soil, otherwise undemanding
  • Flowers: yellowish-white, also slightly red, May to June
  • Maintenance:
    • water in case of prolonged drought
    • fertilize with organic material in spring
    • Propagation via cuttings

Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) - poisonous

These shrubs are particularly suitable for hedges. They grow densely and tolerate pruning well. Planting time is in autumn or spring.

Source: Lucarelli, Eristalis, Livorno, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Size: 1 to 5 m, in hedges depending on cutting height
  • Demands: hardly any demands on the soil, sunny to semi-shady location
  • Flowers: white, June to July
  • Maintenance:
    • does not need to be watered even when dry
    • fertilize organically in spring
    • Propagation by self-sowing or cuttings

From P to S

Euonymus europaeus - poisonous

The fruits of these shrubs give them their name, they are very showy and bright red in color. The reddish autumn leaves are just as striking.

  • Size: 2 - 6 m high
  • Demands: quite undemanding in terms of soil, sunny location
  • Flowers: white to yellow, corn until June
  • Maintenance:
    • easy to care for, water in severe dryness
    • mulching protects the soil from drying out and provides nutrients
    • Propagation via seeds

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) - edible

Sea buckthorn fruits are known for their high vitamin C content. They are processed into jam or mush. The shrub spreads very aggressively without a root barrier, which should be taken into account when planting.

Sea buckthorn berries on the bush
  • Size: 4 - 5 m in height, slightly less wide
  • Demands: sunny, deep soil, not compacted
  • Flowers: yellow, March to May
  • Maintenance:
    • plant several female plants with one male plant for a rich harvest
    • no need to water or fertilize
    • Propagation via offshoots

Snakeberry, Snowball (Viburnum opulus) - poisonous

The snowball is considered an ornamental shrub, but can also be found wild in Germany and is therefore suitable for natural gardens. The red berries are said to be edible when ripe, but caution is advised as this opinion is not unanimous.

  • Size: 1.5 - 6 m high
  • Demands: Sunny, but also shade, well-drained, not too dry soil
  • Flowers: white, April to June
  • Maintenance:
    • does not have to be specially fertilized, a mulch layer in the root area is sufficient
    • no watering required
    • Propagation via cuttings

Sloe (Prunus spinosa) - edible

These shrubs are also called blackthorn or sour plum. The fruit is edible after the first frost, but should be cooked. To prevent uncontrolled spread, a root barrier must be planned. Planting time is in the fall.

  • Size: up to 3 m high, growing rapidly in width due to root suckers
  • Demands: Sunny, warm, nutrient-rich soil
  • Flowers: white, March to April
  • Maintenance:
    • does not need to be fertilized or watered
    • Propagation via root suckers
    • too many foothills are removed

Black elder (Sambucus nigra) - edible

Many parts of the elderberry plant are poisonous. The berries are only edible after cooking. The flowers can be processed into syrup.

  • Size: up to 7 m high
  • Demands: mostly sunny, but also shady, nutrient-rich soil
  • Flower: white, May
  • Maintenance:
    • water only when dry
    • Pruning keeps the shrub young
    • Propagated by seeds, spreads rapidly by birds alone

Summer lilac (Buddleja) - not edible, but non-toxic

The butterfly bush is a common ornamental plant that is notable for being very popular with butterflies. In addition to butterflies, bees and bumblebees also fly to it. It originally comes from Asia, but is also becoming increasingly wild in Germany. The best planting time is in spring.

  • Size: 1.5 - 4 m high
  • Demands: Sunny, largely undemanding in terms of soil
  • Flowers: white, pink, lilac, from July until frost
  • Maintenance:
    • fertilizing and watering not necessary
    • Winter protection improves winter hardiness
    • Propagation by self-sowing or cuttings

Wild shrubs for natural gardens with W

Willow (Salix) - not edible, but non-toxic

Willows are mostly trees, but there are also small species that grow like shrubs. They are very fast-growing and are well suited for design purposes in natural gardens. Small arbours, for example, can easily be “built” from living willows. Pastures are very early bee pastures.

  • Size: several meters
  • Demands: adaptable, not too dry soil
  • Flowers: greenish catkins on females, yellowish on males, from March
  • Maintenance:
    • water when dry
    • fertilize annually in spring
    • Propagation via cuttings

Hawthorn (Crataegus) - edible

In Germany, the single-handed and the two-handed hawthorn are native. The berries are edible, including raw, and are often made into jam or compote. If the fruits are not harvested, they are readily eaten by birds. The red-backed shrike uses the long thorns to impale captured prey animals.

Crataegus, Hawthorn
  • Size: 5 - 7 m high
  • Demands: any type of soil is tolerated, a sunny position is preferred
  • Flowers: white or pink, May to June
  • Maintenance:
    • no need to water or fertilize
    • Propagation via seeds and cuttings

Wild roses (pink) - edible

There are floribunda and floribunda in almost every ornamental garden. Their wild relatives can be found in the wild. Including potato roses or the dog rose. They can form dense, thorny thickets and are therefore suitable for hedges that are intended to offer some protection.

  • Size: one to several meters high, depending on the species
  • Demands: sunny to semi-shady, all types of soil
  • Flowers: white, pink or yellowish, May to June
  • Maintenance:
    • easy to care for, water if necessary in case of dryness
    • mulching replaces fertilization
    • Propagation via seeds or planters

Notice: Without pruning, roses can grow profusely. The long tendrils can be attached to climbing aids.

frequently asked Questions

Where do you get wild shrubs for the garden?

Due to the Nature Conservation Act, shrubs cannot simply be taken from nature. Sometimes, however, they are brought into your own garden by birds or the wind. Wild shrubs are rarely found in garden centers, but you can get them in well-stocked, larger tree nurseries.

Do wild shrubs have to be cut?

In contrast to cultivated plants, wild shrubs require much less care. This also applies to the cut. Only hedges need regular trimming. Solitary shrubs form a loose crown by themselves. A pruning after a few years prevents senescence and is therefore useful. Dead or diseased wood must also be removed.

How can the fruits of wild bushes be processed?

Only a few fruits of the wild bushes can be eaten raw. Most require cooking and are therefore best made into jam or compote. However, a harvest is not absolutely necessary. The fruits can also simply remain in the bush as birdseed.

Do wild shrubs get sick or do they get pests?

Wild shrubs rarely get dangerous diseases. There are specialized pests that can cause more damage, such as certain butterfly species. However, treatment is usually not necessary because wild shrubs are very robust and still sprout again. They are also a good place for beneficial insects.

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