In horticulture, which term is used to refer to woody ornamental plants?

The term associated with woody ornamental plants is "shrub." Shrubs are defined as multi-stemmed woody plants that are typically smaller than trees and can serve various ornamental purposes in landscaping. They often provide visual interest through foliage, flowers, and bark, and they can be used for hedges, border plantings, and foundation planting due to their varied sizes and shapes.

Deciduous refers to trees and shrubs that shed their leaves annually, which can apply to some woody ornamental plants, but it does not specifically define them as "woody ornamental." Perennials are plants that live for more than two years, and while some perennials can be woody, this term generally encompasses all types of plants that return each growing season, including herbaceous varieties. Annuals, on the other hand, are plants that complete their life cycle in one season, and thus, do not apply to the classification of woody ornamental plants. Therefore, "shrub" is the most accurate term to describe woody ornamental plants.