When it comes to shrubs, you just can't beat cane-growing types like sweet-scented mock oranges (Philadelphus spp. and cvs.) or most viburnums (Viburnum spp. and cvs.) for seasonal interest and robust form in the landscape. Spouting from the ground like water from a majestic fountain, these multistemmed woody plants have a beautiful, natural, free-flowing habit. They're easy to grow, and they usually achieve their mature size in three years. Of course, there's always a flip side to a coin, and with cane-growing shrubs, it happens to be their overgrown appearance that comes with age. Older stems are also more susceptible to insects and diseases and become less vigorous and productive. This scenario is easy enough to remedy and prevent. By taking outyour trusty pruning tools and establishing a regular pruning regimen, old plants will look like new and new plants will never grow old—a virtual fountain of youth.
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