SHRUBS
for Kansas Landscapes
Cooperative Extension Service Kansas State University Manhattan
This publication is one of a series of circulars to help you withyour landscape planning. Use this bulletin when selecting shrubsfor particular locations in your yard. Consider each plant for itsintended use, site location, and exposure. Use the plant descriptionslisted in the tables while visiting nurseries. This willhelp you to realize the size and performance you may expect fromthe plants.
All shrubs that will grow in the various sections of Kansas arenot listed. Most of the shrubs mentioned were selected fromthe various Kansas retail nursery catalogs. A few shrub varietiesare not listed in these retail catalogs, but your nurseryman canget them from wholesale nurseries supplying Kansas firms. Thevarieties listed are the more common shrubs used for landscapingpurposes and will provide you with a wide assortmentof plant material to solve any landscaping need.
GARY L. McDANIEL
Extension Specialist
Landscaping and Environmental Horticulture
The author wishes to thank Larry D. Leuthold for helpful comments duringthe preparation of this bulletin and Joe D. Roller for designing the illustrationsused in this publication.
- USES FOR WHICH WE WANT PLANT MATERIAL
- 1. Accent
- 2. Border
- 3. Soften Building Appearance
- 4. Screen poor views
- 5. Privacy
- 6. Hold a Soil Bank
- 7. ground cover
Shrubs are used in landscaping to provide low foliage andflowers that will compliment the house and trees in your yard.Each shrub used in your yard should fulfill a specific purposefor the overall design.
Select shrubs that will provide accent for your entryway orborder focal point, soften corners and harsh lines, or provide alow transition from one point to another. Shrubs are also usefulfor dividing spaces by separating use areas in the yard. Shrubsare used with trees to screen unpleasant views or protect ouryards from strong winds.
Shrubs as Accent Plants
Accent end of walk if sidewalk approaches from driveway.
Shrubs that create a definite accent must be used with morecare in your landscape than shrubs that soften lines. Twoprimary areas in your landscape should be accented. The mostimportant of these is the front entryway to your home.
If the sidewalk to your front door approaches from the drivewayalong the front of the house, the accent area is at the endof the walk. This will provide a “visual” as well as a “physical”barrier that will point