Generally speaking, shrubs are woody plants that have a multiple stem growth habit that often emerges straight from the root system. They tend to be shorter than most single stemmed woody plants we call trees.

Again, there are many exceptions to these rules. Some viburnums have a single, very short stem at their base before branching out into the shrub form. Magnolias and lilacs are sometimes trained to grow in a tree form.

Our index of commonly grown ornamental shrubs contains many of those used in the home landscape in the temperate regions of North America.