The cost to acquire and install a shrub is highly variable, shifting dramatically based on the plant’s characteristics and the required level of service. A single, young plant can be purchased for a modest price, while a mature, established specimen represents a significantly larger investment requiring professional handling. This variability means the total expense of a project can range from a small amount for a do-it-yourself job to thousands of dollars for an instant, finished look.
Primary Factors Influencing the Plant’s Price Tag
The most significant factor determining a bush’s initial price is its maturity and size, commonly indicated by the container size in the nursery trade. A small starter plant in a 1-gallon container costs less than a fully formed shrub in a 5-gallon container. This increase reflects the grower’s accumulated investment in time and resources over the years required for the plant to reach a larger size. A 15-gallon shrub provides instant impact in a landscape, and its price covers the multi-year effort of the nursery to cultivate it.
The species of the shrub also plays a considerable role. Common, fast-growing varieties like Boxwoods or Hydrangeas are generally less expensive because they are mass-produced efficiently. In contrast, slow-growing plants, specialized cultivars, or newly patented varieties carry a premium due to their limited supply and the increased time required to bring them to market. Rarity is a powerful price driver, especially for unique traits like specific variegation or a compact, desirable growth habit.
The method used to grow and harvest the plant further affects its price structure. Container-grown shrubs are the most common and represent a mid-range price point, retaining their entire root system which minimizes transplant shock. Bare-root plants, sold without any soil, are the least expensive option and are usually small, dormant specimens best planted early in the spring. Balled-and-burlapped (B\&B) specimens are field-grown and then dug with a large, intact soil ball, reserved for the most mature and heaviest shrubs. This B\&B preparation is often the most costly because it requires heavy equipment and specialized labor to harvest and move the root ball.
How Retail Venue Affects Cost
The place of purchase introduces another layer of cost variation, reflecting the retailer’s business model and the services they provide. Big box stores focus on high-volume sales of common shrubs, offering a budget-friendly option for simple landscaping needs. Their lower prices rely on bulk purchasing and a high turnover of stock, but the plants may receive less specialized care while on display. This venue is suitable for cost-conscious homeowners focused on common, resilient species.
Local nurseries, garden centers, and specialty growers typically charge higher prices for their stock. This increased cost covers the expertise of on-site horticulturists, a better guarantee on the plant’s health, and a more curated selection of uncommon or locally acclimated varieties. These retailers often source high-quality, regionally appropriate stock, providing greater assurance of long-term success. Online specialty nurseries cater to niche markets, offering rare cultivars not available locally. While their plant prices can be competitive, the final cost is often elevated by specialized packing and shipping fees required to deliver live plants.
Total Project Cost: Installation and Materials
The purchase price of the bush is only the beginning, as installation adds substantial costs to the overall project. Hiring a professional landscaping service often involves an hourly labor rate, typically ranging from fifty to one hundred fifty dollars per worker. Alternatively, landscapers may quote a flat rate per plant, usually between twenty-five and two hundred dollars per shrub, with the price scaling significantly upward for larger, heavier specimens. This professional labor cost can easily double or triple the initial expense of the plant, covering the time and effort of proper planting technique.
Professional installation also accounts for the logistics of moving the plants to the site. Delivery fees are a distinct expense, especially when transporting mature B\&B shrubs or multi-ton root balls that necessitate specialized trucks and lifting machinery. Successful planting requires materials beyond the bush itself, including soil amendments like compost or peat moss to improve drainage and nutrient content. Supplies such as mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture, and starter fertilizer to support root establishment, are necessary additions to the materials budget. The total cost is a combination of the plant’s value, the retailer’s markup, and the necessary labor, delivery, and supplies required to ensure the shrub thrives.