Cooperative Extension Service • Kansas State University • Manhattan 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 t

Shrubs that will soften the lines of the house or buildings have a round , oval , or irregular shape. These shrubs break the strong vertical lines at the corners of the house, rather than call attention to them. Shrubs will soften the lines at the corners of your house. Where windows are close to the corner, select dwarf shrubs that will not grow higher than the sill. Never select shrubs that create an accent for corner plantings. Consider a brightly colored foliage on shrubs during the summer o

Plants used as a transition are simply those shrubs or ground covers that pull together the plantings at the corners or accented entryways. These shrubs are used to soften the lines of the house, where the walls meet the ground. Use shrubs that will not call attention to themselves by having bright foliage or coarse leaf texture. These shrubs also help to hide any exposed foundation walls along the house. Transition shrubs should be low-growing or dwarf in size. If the siding of your house exten

Whether you are selecting shrubs for the foundation plantings around the house or for a shrub border in your yard, choose shrubs that will bloom at different seasons. Most of the flowering shrubs that are available bloom during the spring. Once some shrubs have finished blooming, they have no other ornamental features. The interest in your landscape will be lost, unless you have selected some summer-blooming shrubs. Attempt to design your landscape so you can have continuous shrub bloom from ear

Most of the plants that are adapted for western Kansas will grow on the north side if they are planted 3 to 4 feet from the building and out from the roof overhang. In eastern Kansas it is necessary to consider shade tolerance when planting on the north side of the house. Most shrubs will bloom more profusely and produce more fruit when planted in the sun, even though they may survive quite well in deep shade. Often shrubs will grow better in shade simply because they are protected from the sout

Consider low maintenance when planning your landscape. When selecting shrubs for your yard, determine the maximum height and spread you want from the planting, and then select only from shrubs with those characteristics. The shrubs listed in this bulletin have been grouped according to their mature heights. If you are looking for a shrub that will grow under a window that is 4 feet from the ground, select from those listed as dwarf shrubs. You certainly would not select a Tatarian Honeysuckle (1

Shrubs will require periodic pruning to maintain their proper shape and size. Many shrubs will grow tall and spindly if not thinned-out occasionally. Some shrubs will sucker severely at the ground if the older stems or canes are not removed. This causes the shrub to spread beyond its normal limits. The proper method for maintaining shrub shape is to remove all canes that are larger than one inch in diameter. These should be removed as close to the ground line as possible. This practice will open

Which plants are best suited for your landscape? This will depend on whether the shrubs will be planted on a farmstead or in a city lot. It will also depend on whether your yard is exposed to direct southwest winds, or whether you have some protection. Plant adaptability has been considered for each shrub listed in this bulletin. You may plant any shrub that is listed as ‘Hardy’ in an open, fully exposed location and expect it to survive. Those shrubs that have an ‘X’ will most likely not surviv

Every shrub species grown in Kansas can be expected to be afflicted with some problem during its lifetime. The most common problems are insect and disease attacks. These usually can be controlled by routine spraying. Knowledge of the problems make it easier to diagnose and correct before they become severe. Soil alkalinity or high pH may also limit the use of some plants. Iron chlorosis is a common problem with some shrubs grown in the western half of Kansas. This is easily corrected by applying