Shrub Facts for Kids

A broom shrub in flower

A shrub or bush is a type of plant. Think of it like a smaller cousin to a tree! While a tree usually has one main stem that branches out higher up, a shrub has many stems. These stems grow right from the ground or very close to it. Shrubs usually do not grow as tall as trees. They are often less than 1–2 meters (about 3-6 feet) tall.

Many plants can actually be either shrubs or trees. It depends on where and how they grow. Some very small, low shrubs are called subshrubs. Examples include lavender, periwinkle, and thyme. Shrubs can also be either deciduous or evergreen. Deciduous shrubs lose their leaves in the fall, while evergreen shrubs keep their leaves all year round.

A shrubbery is a special kind of garden. It is a garden where shrubs are the main plants you see.

What Makes a Shrub a Shrub?
- How Scientists Classify Shrubs
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What Makes a Shrub a Shrub?

In the world of botany (the study of plants) and ecology (the study of how living things interact with their environment), a shrub has a more specific meaning. It describes a woody plant that is less than 8 meters (about 26 feet) tall. These plants typically have many stems that grow from or near the ground.

Scientists often classify shrubs based on their height and how much of the ground their leaves cover. This helps them describe different types of plant areas.

How Scientists Classify Shrubs

For shrubs that are 2 to 8 meters tall, scientists use terms like:

Closed-scrub: This means the shrubs have very dense leaves, covering most of the ground (70–100%).
Open-scrub: Here, the leaves are less dense, covering about 30–70% of the ground.
Tall shrubland: These areas have sparse leaf cover, only 10–30%.
Tall open shrubland: This means very few leaves, covering less than 10% of the ground.

For shrubs that are shorter than 2 meters, different terms are used: