4 Places You Should Never Plant Shrubs, According to a Gardening Expert

Avoid these problematic spots.

Closeup of hydrangea flowers in a garden with houses in the background — Credit:
Katrin Ray Shumakov / Getty Images

Shrubs can add beautiful color to your garden, but more importantly, they create structure. These sculptural plants will thrive year after year, defining borders and lining paths—but only if you plant them in the right place.

Like anything in your garden, shrubs need proper care to thrive, and that starts with placing them in the right location. Here, we spoke to a gardening expert about some of the spots you should avoid.

Tabar Gifford, partnership cultivator and master gardener at American Meadows

Small Yards

When planting shrubs, it's easy to underestimate how big they'll become. So if you plant one in a small space or yard, it may cause issues down the road—especially if a lack of space forces you to plant near the driveway or home.

"I’ve seen many well-intentioned gardeners tuck a shrub right up against a house because it looks tidy at first—only to find a few years later that it’s constantly being pruned to keep it from blocking windows or walkways," says Tabar Gifford, partnership cultivator and master gardener at American Meadows.

Always check a shrub's mature height and width before planting it—this will help you select the best spot. If your yard is on the smaller side, consider a dwarf variety instead.

Too Much Shade—Or Sun

Different shrubs have different light requirements—keep this in mind when choosing a spot to plant them. Some will thrive in partial shade, while others need full sun.

"Take a little time to observe how sunlight moves through the space during the day before planting," says Gifford. "If a spot gets strong afternoon sun, choose sun-tolerant shrubs. If it stays shaded most of the day, look for shade-adapted shrubs."

Containers

Container gardening is great if you don't have much space in your yard—but it's not the best solution for shrubs. Since these plants have extensive root systems, a smaller container will restrict their growth and even cause them to dry out.

"A shrub in a pot is a bit like living in a studio apartment—it works for a while, but eventually the space becomes limiting," says Gifford.

Some more compact varieties may be suitable for containers, but perennials and flowering grasses work better for most pots.

Poorly Drained Soil

Most shrubs won't thrive in wet soil, so check that the soil drains well before deciding on a spot. Saturated earth can cause shrub roots to suffocate and rot.

"A simple way to test drainage is to dig a hole and fill it with water," says Gifford. "If the water is still sitting there several hours later, the soil may drain too slowly for most shrubs."