General:
* Shrubs: This is the most common and general alternative for bushes.
* Thicket: This implies a dense, tangled mass of bushes.
* Undergrowth: This refers to low-lying vegetation, including bushes.
* Scrub: This is a similar term to thicket but often suggests a less diverse and less attractive group of bushes.
* Brush: This is a more informal term, often used for a small or sparse group of bushes.
More specific:
* Hedges: These are rows of bushes planted for a specific purpose, such as fencing or providing a screen.
* Bramble: This refers specifically to a type of thorny bush, usually a blackberry or raspberry bush.
* Willow: This is a type of bush with weeping branches.
* Rose bushes: These are bushes that grow roses.
To choose the best word, consider the specific type of bush you're describing and the context in which you're using it.