Can I plant a shrub without creating a mulched bed?

I would like to add a flowering shrub like forsythia or lilac bush in between a row of white pines as a property border, but I don't want to create a mulched landscaped bed. Will it work?Can I plant a shrub without creating a mulched bed?
Forsythia and lilac are both toughies that will behave quite well in grass - but it would be a good idea to leave an area underneath them bare for at least a year to avoid competition from weeds etc until they have put down a good root system. I'm not sure how happy lilac would be underneath evergreens but forsythia should be OK. You might also try one of the Mahonias(eg Charity, which like shade %26amp; have scented flowers in winter, but they are not very fast growing. A rhododendron would be OK there if the soil is acid enough check to see if neighbours have healthy looking ones. But do leave the bare soil with all of them for a while.Can I plant a shrub without creating a mulched bed?
I suggest Rhododendron, it's hardy, colorful, evergreen, likes shade, does not grow too big. Lilac is the same, Mahonia too, none of these NEED mulch, so yes it will work.
Not a good idea as pine acidifies the soil. Lilac might not survive.


You may want to try Hydrangea or Forsythia like suggested before me.


Hydrangea will be a pretty blue color!
Of course.





Mulch helps conserve moisture in the soil, and also helps keeps weeds down a bit. But that doesn't mean it's a requirement.
Also look at Kerria japonica and oakleaf hydrangeas. They are very tough and shade tolerant.