off-topic botanical question: Curious about shrubs as a gardening term
JamieV. (Sun, 06 Jan 2008 03:24:24 PST)

Margeurite,

as far as I know, shrub is not a scientific term, rather a gardening
term that has worked its way into general use. For myself, a shrub must
have a permanent set of woody stems and branches that continue into
growth each season. Some shrubs are very large, such as some Magnolia,
while others are quite small, as we find in Rhododenron. In my garden
Phygelius is a small shrub reaching about 2 meters. Yucca is not woody,
therefore I wouldn't call any of its relatives shrubs. Some people may
argue this, but the stems of woody plants and succulents are
structurally quite different.

The term sub-shrub is bantered about without real definition, imo. I
have imagined it as a small shrub-like perennial, such as Thymus or
Salvia have, that is too ephemeral to truly overwinter/rest. We may
place Penstemon in this category, as well. They do form shrubs, but
they do not last. If not for their rootstock, they would not survive.
What I see as true shrubs, if the entire top was removed (not simply cut
back hard), the root stock would probably not recover. For me this is a
practical division, but I doubt sound enough for scientific definition.
Using this definition, I would consider Fuchsia a shrub, but perhaps not
in all species and all climates.

Hope this helps. It is really just another educated opinion.

Jamie V.
Cologne
Germany
Zone 8

Marguerite English schrieb: