Homeowners have many reasons for adding shrubs to their landscapes. Shrubs can serve as a natural fence to block unsightly views or create a sound barrier from the street or neighboring homes. Flowering varieties bring beauty, color, and fragrance to outdoor spaces.

But shrubs do more than enhance curb appeal. They also provide environmental benefits that help clean the air, support wildlife habitats, and conserve energy.

Fight Global Warming

Like all plants, shrubs absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping to improve air quality.

Reduce Heat

Tall, shade-producing shrubs planted on the south side of a home can block sunlight from windows, walls, and air conditioning units. This natural shading can reduce cooling costs by up to one-third.

Create a Windbreak

In winter, evergreen shrubs help shield homes from cold winds. Planting them on the north or northwest side of a structure can buffer prevailing winds and reduce heating expenses.

Attract Birds

Shrubs offer essential nesting sites and shelter for songbirds. Many fruiting shrubs also serve as an important food source during the winter months.

And, of course, there’s the aesthetic benefit of a thoughtfully designed landscape – a win for both homeowners and the surrounding neighborhood. With a wide variety of shrubs available, it’s easy to find options that balance beauty, structure, and function. From tall and narrow to short and bushy, evergreen to deciduous, flowering to non-flowering, and scented to scent-free, the possibilities are endless.

Not sure where to start? Visit your local garden center or consult a landscape professional to find the right plants for your yard and goals.

Discover the Power of Green Spaces

Green spaces do more than beautify neighborhoods, they help clean the air, cool our cities, lower carbon levels, and foster healthier, more connected communities. Lawns, trees, and shrubs may seem simple, but together, they create powerful natural systems that benefit both people and the planet.

To better understand the environmental impact of your green space, Project EverGreen invites you to try the Clean Air Calculator™ – a free, web-based tool that measures the environmental benefits of the green spaces on your property.

Whether you’re a homeowner, landscape professional, golf course superintendent, sports field or park manager, or a property owner, this innovative tool helps you see the real-world impact of the green spaces you care for.

See how your green space makes a difference. Try the Clean Air Calculator today:
https://projectevergreen.org/clean-air-calculator/