A shrub is normally defined as a woody-stemmed plant with a framework of branches from its base, as opposed to the single trunk of a tree. Although this is true for the majority of cases, this definition is not a rigid one; some shrubs may be trained as standards with a single trunk, whilst some trees are multi-stemmed. Whilst shrubs are generally smaller than trees (usually less than 6 m (20 ft) tall), again, this is not always true, and some shrubs can be larger than some trees.

Regardless of their definition, shrubs account for a huge variety of plants suitable for gardens of any size and style. In this section, we aim to provide you with everything you need to know about shrubs and their care, including advice on choosing shrubs with the features that will complement your planting scheme, detailed instructions on how to plant them, along with some handy tips and advice on how to keep your shrubs in first-class condition.