Average Cost of Bushes by Type and Size
Homeowners pay between $25 and $200 per bush depending on species, height, and container size. Small ornamental shrubs under 2 feet typically cost $15 to $50 each, while larger foundation plants in the 3 to 5 foot range range from $60 to $150 per unit. Evergreen hedges such as boxwood and yew often command a premium of $100 to $200 per plant due to year-round foliage and slower growth rates. The National Association of Landscape Professionals publishes seasonal pricing benchmarks that reflect regional nursery wholesale costs and retail markups across the United States. Forbes Advisor breaks down current shrub pricing by plant type and installation complexity. These figures exclude delivery fees, soil amendments, and bulk discount tiers that nurseries offer for orders over 20 plants.
Landscaping cost databases show that the most commonly purchased bushes in 2025 include hydrangea, boxwood, Japanese barberry, and dwarf Alberta spruce. Hydrangea shrubs average $40 to $80 per plant, while compact boxwood hedges cost $75 to $150 each depending on pot size. Japanese barberry, valued for its burgundy foliage, ranges from $30 to $60 per container. Dwarf Alberta spruce, a slow-growing evergreen, typically sells for $80 to $200 per specimen. Nursery proximity heavily influences final prices, with urban garden centers charging 10 to 30 percent more than rural wholesale growers. The National Association of Landscape Professionals provides regional cost guides and contractor directories.
Planting and Installation Cost Breakdown
Professional bush installation adds $50 to $150 per plant for labor, soil prep, and mulching. Total project costs for a standard residential hedge of 10 to 20 bushes range from $1,000 to $4,000 including materials and crew time. Site preparation factors such as grading, drainage correction, and existing vegetation removal can add $200 to $800 to the baseline estimate. Many landscaping companies bundle planting with a one-year warranty that covers replacement of plants that fail to establish. Houzz connects homeowners with verified local landscapers and provides average project cost data by zip code. DIY planting reduces labor costs but requires investment in soil tests, amendments, and basic tools such as augers and wheelbarrows.
Ongoing maintenance costs for bushes include pruning, fertilization, pest control, and winter protection. Annual maintenance runs $100 to $300 per bush for professional services, with hedge trimming averaging $50 to $100 per linear foot. Fertilization programs cost $50 to $150 per application depending on the number of plants and product type. Pest and disease management adds $75 to $200 per treatment cycle for susceptible species such as boxwood blight-prone varieties. Better Homes & Gardens offers seasonal bush care guides and product recommendations. Proper spacing at planting time reduces future pruning costs by improving air circulation and sunlight penetration.
Factors That Influence Bush Pricing
Container size and root ball diameter are the primary drivers of bush cost, with larger 15-gallon containers priced 40 to 60 percent higher than 1-gallon pots. Bare-root bushes sold during dormancy seasons cost 30 to 50 percent less than container-grown specimens but have a narrower planting window. Provenance and cultivar rarity affect pricing, with patented plant varieties carrying