Collection: Beneficial Insects

A shrub is a small or mid-sized woody plant, usually rounded in appearance, with multiple stems growing above the ground. They are generally shorter than trees and do not have a single trunk. They come in a variety of shapes, colors, and textures. They can be evergreen (keep their leaves all year) or deciduous (lose their leaves in Winter). We offer many flowering and non-flowering shrub varieties in various different heights and colors.

A tree is a tall, woody plant usually with a single, elongated stem, often with few branches on its lower half. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer trees that are more suitable for warmer climates. They tend to be smaller, shorter flowering trees which can be used as useful garden accents or for backgrounds. Our offerings will usually reach a decent height within a year.

Trees and shrubs help the environment by producing oxygen, offering shade from the sun and providing important food and shelter for pollinators and wildlife. They are like nature's air purifiers!

We offer instructions for each shrub and tree that we offer. Their care depends upon your climate and growing conditions. Generally, newly planted trees and shrubs require regular watering until they are established. As it grows, trim or prune any dead or unwanted branches to help it stay healthy. The time for proper tree or shrub pruning depends upon the climate and the type of tree. Some should be pruned while they are dormant, in winter or early spring. Make sure not to prune in wet weather to avoid disease. If you live in a cooler area, you can also add mulch around the base (3 to 5 inches from the trunk) to keep the soil moist and protect the roots.

Yes, definitely! Trees and shrubs provide a focal point and add balance to a garden. They contribute vibrant greenery, color, height, and texture to any landscape. They can also provide shade, privacy, and vibrant blooms or fruits.

Some common trees or shrubs that grow quickly are willow trees or forsythia shrubs. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer more unusual, hard-to-find varieties of trees and shrubs. Our selection also focuses on smaller, warmer climate trees that will usually reach a decent height within a year. Some of our favorite options are impatiens, echiums, certain roses (rosa), sages (salvias).

Yes, they do. In the winter, make sure to water them when the ground isn't frozen. You can also wrap young trees to protect them from the cold.

Absolutely! Trees and shrubs with flowers and berries provide an important source of food for pollinators – They are like magnets for birds and butterflies. They can also provide shade and shelter, making your garden a favorite spot for these important pollinators.

To pick the perfect tree or shrub, think about your garden's size, the climate, soil type, and the amount of sun it gets. Consider what kind of aesthetic you want for your garden – such as colorful blooms or different color leaves.

Trees and shrubs can have long lives with proper conditions and care.

At Annie’s, we offer hundreds of deer resistant shrubs and trees. Some of our favorites are brugmansias, butterfly bushes (buddlejas), California lilac (Ceanothus), echiums, impatiens, lavandulas (lavender), ribes, mimulus, certain sages (Salvia), and yuccas.

Yes! We have a wide selection of California native shrubs and trees that are perfectly suited to their particular environment, thereby reducing the need for water and fertilizer and attracting the greatest numbers of local pollinators and wildlife. We offer one of the largest selections of California natives found anywhere.

1. There are many types of trees. Some are tall and straight, like the oak and maple. Others, like the willow and palm, have long, graceful leaves that sway in the wind.

2. You can also find deciduous or evergreen trees, such as fir and pine trees, with needles or leaves that stay green all year.

3. Each type of tree has its unique shape, foliage and color, making our forests and gardens diverse and beautiful. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer both deciduous and evergreen trees. Our offerings are mostly flowering, smaller in stature and reach a decent height within a year.

1. Rose Bushes are valued for their beautiful and sometimes fragrant flowers. They come in a variety of colors and are popular in gardens for their elegance and old-fashioned charm. They are the queens of the cottage garden! At Annie’s, we offer roses in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and fragrances. Some of our favorites are shrub roses like Rosa ‘Carefree Delight’ or hybrid shrub roses like Rosa ‘Golden Celebration’ and Rosa ‘Grandmother’s Hat’.

2. Azaleas are valuable for their vibrant, showy flowers that bloom in various colors, including pink, white, and purple.

3. Boxwood Shrubs are evergreen and have dense, dark green foliage. They are useful for hedges and topiaries.

4. Lilacs produce clusters of fragrant, springtime blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white.

5. Hydrangeas are popular for their large, rounded flower heads. They come in various colors, depending on the soil ph. At Annie’s we have more unusual offerings like Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' and Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee'.

6. Forsythia are among the first to bloom in spring, with bright yellow flowers.

7. Rhododendrons produce large, showy flowers in a range of colors and are popular in landscapes.

8. Juniper Shrubs are evergreen shrubs with needle-like leaves and produce small, berry-like cones.

9. Mock Orange (Philadelphus) has fragrant white flowers that resemble orange blossoms, giving them their name. We have several favorites: mock orange (Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile'), Mexican mock orange (Philadelphus mexicanus ‘Flore Plena’), and wild mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii).

10. Camellias are valued for their large, waxy flowers. that come in various colors and bloom in late winter or early spring.

11. Butterfly Bushes (Buddleja) are popular for attracting pollinators with their long, cone-shaped flower clusters. They will make your garden a butterfly magnet!! We offer many different sizes and colors and some of our favorites are Buddleja davidii ‘Ellen’s Blue’, Buddleja davidii ‘Hot Raspberry’, and Buddleja 'Grand Cascade'.

12. Holly Shrubs are evergreen and produce red berries that are iconic during the holiday season.

13. Euonymus have colorful foliage, with varieties that include red, green, or gold leaves.

14. Privet are popular for hedges due to their dense foliage and fast growth.

15. Burning Bush are famous for their vibrant red fall foliage.

16. Spiraea produce clusters of small, delicate flowers and are useful in landscaping.