This publication is one of a series of circulars to help you with your
landscape planning. Use this bulletin when selecting shrubs for
particular locations in your yard. Consider each plant for its intended
use, site location, and exposure. Use the plant descriptions listed in
the tables while visiting nurseries. This will help you to realize the
size and performance you may expect from the plants.
All shrubs that will grow in the various sections of Kansas are not
listed. Most of the shrubs mentioned were selected from the various
Kansas retail nursery catalogs. A few shrub varieties are not listed in
these retail catalogs, but your nurseryman can get them from wholesale
nurseries supplying Kansas firms. The varieties listed are the more
common shrubs used for landscaping purposes and will provide you with a
wide assortment of 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
during the preparation of this bulletin and Joe D. Roller for
designing the illustrations used in this publication.
[Illustration: Checklist]
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 and flowers that
will compliment the house and trees in your yard. Each shrub used in
your yard should fulfill a specific purpose for the overall design.
Select shrubs that will provide _accent_ for your entryway or border
focal point, _soften_ corners and harsh lines, or provide a low
_transition_ from one point to another. Shrubs are also useful for
dividing spaces by _separating_ use areas in the yard. Shrubs are used
with trees to _screen_ unpleasant views or protect our yards from strong
winds.
^Shrubs as Accent Plants
[Illustration: _Accent end of walk if sidewalk approaches from
driveway._]
Shrubs that create a definite accent must be used with more care in your
landscape than shrubs that soften lines. Two primary areas in your
landscape should be accented. The most important of these is the front
entryway to your home.
If the sidewalk to your front door approaches from the driveway along
the front of the house, the accent area is at the end of the walk. This
will provide a “visual” as well as a “physical” barrier that will point
out the front door. Sidewalks that lead directly from the street to the
door present a different situation. Accent may be created on either side
of the front door, but never make the plantings completely symmetrical
on each side. Create a strong accent to one side and a less dominant
accent on the other side of the entryway. Never use accent plants on the
corners of your house.
Accents may be created by (1) _Height_—taller plants catch the eye
first; (2) _Color_—brightly colored foliage always attracts attention;
(3) _Texture_—coarse leaf or stem textures provide strong contrasts; and
(4) _Form_—pyramidal shrubs or clipping shrubs into unnatural shapes
will create accent.
[Illustration: _Shrubbery should create a stronger accent on one
side of the entryway._]
[Illustration: _A single small upright Juniper can be used to accent
an entry._]
[Illustration: Another accent area for your landscape may be located
in your shrub border. This area could be to the rear of your
property, where it can be viewed from the patio or living room
window. Never place accent plants randomly through the shrub border.
This causes each accent plant to “fight” for dominance.]