Growing Conditions

• The best environmental conditions for shrubs vary widely by species. Some require full sun while others grow best in dense shade, for example. Shrubs provided with the ideal growing conditions remain healthier, produce more flowers and fruit, and succumb less often to diseases and insect pests.
  
  

Moisture and Nutrients

• Annual fertilization helps young shrubs obtain all the necessary nutrients for best growth. Watering requirements vary, but most shrubs thrive when watered every seven to 10 days during dry weather, Missouri Botanical Garden reports.
  
  

Mulching and Debris

• Mulch around shrubs to help retain moisture. Leaves that fall from healthy plants add important organic material to the soil, but leaves from a shrub with a possible disease or insect problem should be removed as soon as possible.
  
  

Pests and Diseases

• Check perennial shrubs for signs of disease or insects when you water. Possible symptoms include discolored leaves, holes, chew marks and poor overall growth. Hose down shrubs with water to discourage insects and diseases.
  
  

Pruning

• Annual pruning maintains the size, shape and health of perennial shrubs. Trimming old, weak or diseased branches allows shrubs to develop new, healthy growth. Flowering perennial shrubs produce more blooms when deadheaded throughout the growing season.