Part 3

MAINTAINING SHRUB SIZE

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 the center of the plant so that more light can penetrate into it. Also, the size of the shrub will be maintained at the desirable height.

ADAPTABILITY AND HARDINESS

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 survive if planted where they will receive direct exposure to the hot winds of late summer. If you live in a town or city, you may have enough wind protection to use these shrubs. This is most important for homeowners living in the western counties of Kansas.

Protection from southwest summer winds may be provided by a windbreak, trees in the city, by planting on the east or north side of the house, or behind a screen fence. If you have this protection you might be able to use plants that are not listed for your area. However, if your yard is exposed to hot summer winds, you had better use only the plant listed for your section of Kansas.

You will sometimes find plants growing in your area that are not listed for your particular section of Kansas. It is possible to grow some plants outside their recommended region, provided these plants receive adequate protection and care. These shrubs will usually not grow as large or as tall as they would further south or east. If you are rather certain that your yard will provide enough protection for these plants, you might try growing a few.

VARIETY LISTINGS OF SHRUBS

Common Name Botanical Name Height Spread Adaptability DECIDUOUS SHRUBS: Tall (10 feet in height or more)

Cotoneaster, Peking Cotoneaster acutifolia 10-12′ 8-10′ Hardy Cranberrybush, American Viburnum trilobum 12′ 10-12′ Hardy Cranberrybush, European Viburnum opulus 8-12′ 10-12′ Hardy Crapemyrtle Lagerstroemia indica 10-12′ 5′ SE Dogwood, Gray Cornus racemosa 8-12′ 8-12′ Hardy Elder, Golden Sambucus canadensis 12′ 10-12′ Hardy ′Aurea’ Fringe Tree, Red Cotonis coggygria 10′ 10-12′ X, P ′rubrifolia’ Honeysuckle, Tatarian Lonicera tatarica 10-12′ 8-10′ Hardy Hydrangea, P. G. Hydrangea paniculata 10-15′ 10-15′ X, P ′grandiflora’ Lilac, Chinese Syringa chinensis 10-15′ 10-15′ Hardy (Rothamagensis) Lilac, Common Syringa vulgaris 12-15′ 12-15′ Hardy Lilac, Manchurian Syringa amurensis 12-15′ 12-15′ Hardy Lilac, Peking Syringa pekinensis 10-15′ 10-15′ Hardy Maple, Amur Acer ginneis 15-20′ 10-12′ X, P Mockorange, Big Scentless Philadelphus grandiflorus 9-12′ 5-8′ Hardy Olive, Autumn Eleagnus umbellatus 14-16′ 15-17′ Hardy Pea Shrub Caragana arborescens 15-18′ 12-15′ Hardy Pearlbush Exochorda racemosa 10-15′ 10-15′ SC Plum, Flowering Prunus triloba ′plena’ 12′ 10-12′ X Privit, Amur River North Ligustrum amurense 10-12′ 5-7′ Hardy Privit, California Ligustrum ovalifolium 10-12′ 6-8′ X, P Privit, Common Ligustrum vulgare 10-12′ 6-8′ Hardy Privit, Golden (Vicary) Ligustrum X vicari 12′ 6-8′ X, P Redbud, Chinese Cercis chinensis 10-12′ 10-12′ X, P Rose-of-Sharon (Althea) Hibiscus syriacus 8-12′ 6-10′ Hardy Smoke Tree (Purple Cotinus coggygria 15′ 8′ X, P Fringe) Snowball Viburnum opulus ′sterilis’ 8-12′ 10-12′ Hardy Sumac, Smooth Rhus giabra 10-12′ 12′ Hardy Sumac, Staghorn Rhus typhina 20′ 15-20′ Hardy Tamarisk, Common Tamarix hispida 10-12′ 8-10′ Hardy Tamarisk, African Tamarix africana 10-12 10′ SE Viburnum, Arrowwood Viburnum dentatum 8-10′ 10-12′ NC, P Viburnum, Nannyberry Viburnum lentago 8-12′ 10-12′ Hardy Viburnum, Siebold Viburnum sieboldi 12-15′ 10-12′ NC Viburnum, Tea Viburnum setigerum 10′ 8-10′ NC Wahoo Euonymus atropurpureus 10-15′ 15-18′ Hardy Wayfaring Tree Viburnum lantana 10-12′ 12′ NC Willow, Corkscrew Salix matsudana ‘tortuosa’ 12-15′ 12′ X, P Willow, Pussy Salix discolor 10-12′ 12′ X, P

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS: Medium (between 7 and 10 feet in height)

Barberry, Mentor Berberis mentorensis 6-8′ 5-7′ Hardy Barberry, Truehedge Berberis thunbergi 6-8′ 4-6′ X, P ‘erecta’ Bayberry, Northern Myrica pennsylvanica 6-8′ 4-6′ Hardy Beautybush Kolkwitzia amabilis 7-10′ 8-10′ Hardy Burning Bush, Winged Euonymus alatus 8-10′ 8-10′ X, P Butterfly Bush Buddleia davidi 6-8′ 6′ NC Cherry, Nanking Prunus tomentosa ‘Orient’ 9′ 10-12′ Hardy Cotoneaster, Large Cotoneaster multiflora 8′ 8-12′ Hardy Flowering Crabapple, Sargent Malus sargentii 6-8′ 8-10′ Hardy Deutzia, Lemoine Deutzia X lemoinei 5-7′ 5-7′ NC, P Deutzia, ‘Pride of Deutzia scabra 6-8′ 4-6′ NC, P Rochester’ Dogwood, Coral Cornus alba ‘Siberica’ 9′ 8-10′ NC Dogwood, Redosier Cornus stolonifera 8′ 8-10′ X, P Dogwood, Silky Cornus ammomum 8-10′ 8-10′ X, P Dogwood, Yellowtwig Cornus stolonifera 8′ 8-10′ X, P ‘flaviramea’ Forsythia, Beatrix Forsythia x intermedia 6-8′ 6-8′ X, P Farrand Forsythia, Golden Bell Forsythia viridissima 6-8′ 5-6′ X, P Forsythia, ‘Karl Sax’ Forsythia X intermedia 6-8′ 6-8′ X, P Forsythia, ‘Lynwood Gold’ Forsythia X intermedia 8-10′ 8′ X, P Forsythia, ‘Showy Border’ Forsythia X intermedia 7-8′ 6-8′ X, P Forsythia, ‘Siebold’ Forsythia suspensa 8-10′ 10-15′ Hardy ‘Sieboldii’ Forsythia, ‘Spring Glory’ Forsythia X intermedia 7-8′ 6-8′ X, P Holly, Winterberry Ilex verticillata 6-8′ 3-5′ NC, P Honeysuckle, Morrow Lonicera morrowi 6-8′ 8-10′ Hardy Honeysuckle, Zabel Lonicera tatarica 7-10′ 7-10′ Hardy ‘Zabelii’ Jetbead, Black Rhodotypos scandens 5-7′ 6-8′ NC, P Lilac, Late Syringa villosa 8-10′ 8-10′ Hardy Lilac, Persian Syringa X persica 6-8′ 7-9′ NC Magnolia, Star Magnolia stellata 8-12′ 10-12′ SC, P Mockorange, ‘Enchantment’ Philadelphus X lemoine 8′ 6-8′ Hardy Mockorange, ‘Innocence’ Philadelphus X lemoine 8′ 6-8′ Hardy Mockorange, ‘Minnesota Philadelphus X virginalis 8′ 6-8′ Hardy Snowflake’ Mockorange, Sweet Philadelphus coronarius 8-10′ 6-7′ Hardy Ninebark, Common Physocarpus opulifolius 7-9′ 8-10′ Hardy Ninebark, ‘Goldleaf’ Physocarpus opulifolius 8-10′ 8-10′ Hardy ‘luteus’ Privit, Border Ligustrum obtusifolium 8-10′ 9′ X, P Privit, Regel Ligustrum obtusifolium 5-7′ 6′ Hardy ‘regelium’ Sand Cherry, Purpleleaf Prunus X cistena 7-9′ 8-10′ Hardy Scotch Broom Cytisus scoparius 6-8′ 6-8′ SC Spirea, Bridalwreath Spirea prunifolia ‘plena’ 7-9′ 8-10′ NC, P Spirea, Vanhoutte Spirea X vanhouttei 6-8′ 8-10′ Hardy Tamarisk, ‘Summer Glow’ Tamarix hispida 8′ 10-12′ Hardy Viburnum, Doublefile Viburnum plicatum 8-10′ 8-10′ NC, P ‘tomentosum’ Viburnum, Korean Spice Viburnum carlesii 6-8′ 6-8′ Hardy Viburnum, Linden Viburnum dilatatum 8-10′ 8-12′ NC, P Weigela, Old Fashioned Weigela florida 6-8′ 8-10′ X, P

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS: Small (between 4 and 6 feet in height)

Abelia, Glossy Abelia X grandiflora 3-5′ 3-5′ SC, P Almond, Flowering Prunus glandulosa 4-5′ 3-4′ Hardy (Cherry) Barberry, Japanese Berberis thunbergii 4-6′ 3-5′ X, P (Green) Barberry, Redleaf Berberis thunbergii 4-5′ 3-5′ X, P ‘atropurpurea’ Barberry, Kobold Berberis thunbergii 4-6′ 5-6′ X, P ‘Kobold’ Beautyberry, Japanese Callicarpa japonica 4-5′ 4-5′ NC, P Burning Bush, Dwarf Euonymus alatus ‘compacta’ 4-5′ 4-5′ X, P Winged Cotoneaster, Spreading Cotoneaster divaricata 5-6′ 6-8′ X, P Cranberry, Compact Viburnum opulus 4-6′ 4-6′ Hardy European ‘compactum’ Honeysuckle, Clavey’s Lonicera xylosteum 4-6′ 4-6′ Hardy Dwarf Honeysuckle, Winter Lonicera fragrantissima 5-7′ 6′ Hardy (Fragrant) Hydrangea, A. G. Hydrangea arborescens 3-5′ 5-7′ NC, P ‘grandiflora’ Hydrangea, ‘Nikko Blue’ Hydrangea macrophylla 4-5′ 5-6′ X, P Indian-current Coralberry Symphoricarpos orbiculatus 3-5′ 4-5′ Hardy Kerria Kerria japonica 4-6′ 5-7′ X, P Lilac, Dwarf Korean Syringa oblata 4-6′ 6-8′ NC, P ‘palibiniana’ Mockorange, ‘Albatre’ Philadelphus X virginalis 4-6′ 4-6′ Hardy Mockorange, ‘Belle Philadelphus X lemoine 6′ 6′ Hardy Etoille’ Mockorange, ‘Bouquet Philadelphus X virginalis 6′ 6′ Hardy Blanc’ Mockorange, ‘Glacier’ Philadelphus X virginalis 4-6′ 4-6′ Hardy Quince, Japanese Chaenomeles lagenaria 5-7′ 6-8′ X, P Flowering (speciosa) Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus 4-6′ 4-6′ Hardy Spirea, Garland Spirea X arguta 5-6′ 5-6′ X, P Spirea, Thunberg Spirea thunbergi 4-5′ 4-5′ Hardy Viburnum, Wright’s Viburnum wrighti ‘hessei’ 3-5′ 4-6′ X, P Weigela, ‘Bristol Ruby’ Weigela X florida 4-6′ 4-6′ X, P Weigela, ‘Eva Rathke’ Weigela X floribunda 4-6′ 6-8′ X, P Weigela, ‘Java Red’ Weigela purpurea 5-7′ 6-8′ X, P

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS: Dwarf (less than 4 feet in height)

Barberry, Crimson Pygmy Berberis thunbergi ‘nana’ 1½-2′ 2-3′ X, P Chenauit Coralberry Symphoricarpos X chenauiti 3-4′ 3-4′ Hardy Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa 2-4′ 2-4′ Hardy Cotoneaster, Cranberry Cotoneaster apiculata 2-3′ 3-4′ X, P Deutzia, Rosepanicle Deutzia X rosea ‘eximia’ 3-4′ 4-5′ NC Deutzia, Slender Deutzia gracilis 2-3′ 3-4′ NC Forsythia, ‘Bronx’ Forsythia viridissima 1½-2′ 3′ X, P ‘Bronxensis’ Hydrangea, ‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea X arborescens 3-4′ 4-5′ X, P Mockorange, Silver Philadelphus X lemoine 3-4′ 3-4′ Hardy Showers Mockorange, ‘Dwarf Philadelphus X virginalis 2-3′ 2-3′ Hardy Minnesota Snowflake’ ‘nana’ Mockorange, Dwarf Sweet Philadelphus coronarius 3-4′ 3-4′ Hardy ‘nana’ Ninebark, Dwarf Physocarpus opulitolius 3-4′ 3-4′ Hardy ‘nanus’ Pea Shrub, Pygmy Caragana arborescens 1½-2′ 1½-2′ Hardy Quince, Dwarf Flowering Chaenomeles meulei 2-3′ 2-3′ X, P Quince, Japanese Chaenomeles japonica 3-4′ 4-5′ Hardy Flowering Quince, Red Japanese Chaenomeles japonica 3-4′ 4-5′ Hardy ‘rubra’ St. Johnswort, Hidcote Hypericum patulum 1½-2′ 1½-2′ X ‘Hidcote’ St. Johnswort, Kalm Hypericum kalmianum 3-4′ 3-4′ Hardy St. Johnswort, Sungold Hypericum patulum 1½-2′ 1½-2′ Hardy ‘Sungold’ Spirea, Anthony Waterer Spirea X bumalda ‘Anthony 2-3′ 2-3′ X, P Waterer’ Spirea, Froebel Spirea X bumalda 3-4′ 3-4′ X, P ‘Froebeli’ Spirea, Redflowering Spirea japonica ‘coccinea’ 3-4′ 3-4′ X, P Spirea, Snowmound Spirea nipponica 3-4′ 3-4′ Hardy ‘Snowmound’ Willow, Dwarf Arctic Blue Salix purpurea ‘nana’ 3-4′ 3-4′ NC

Common Name Botanical Name Height Spread Adaptability BROADLEAF EVERGREEN SHRUBS: Tall (10 feet or more in height)

Holly, American Ilex opaca 12-15′ 8-10′ SC, P Holly, Yaupon Ilex vomitoria 10-15′ 8-10′ SC, P Magnolia, Southern Magnolia grandiflora 15-20′ 10-12′ SC, P

BROADLEAF EVERGREEN SHRUBS: Medium (between 7 and 10 feet in height)

Euonymus, Large-Leaf Euonymus kiautschovicus 6-8′ 8-10′ Hardy (Patens) Euonymus, ‘Manhattan’ Euonymus kiautschovicus 8-10′ 8-12′ Hardy (Patens) Mahonia, Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium 5-7′ 4-5′ Hardy Pyracantha, ‘Kasan’ Pyracantha coccinea 6-8′ 6-8′ X, P ‘Kasan’ Pyracantha, ‘Lalandii’ Pyracantha coccinea 5-10′ 8-10′ X, P ‘Lalandii’ Pyracantha, ‘Wyatti’ Pyracantha coccinea 6-8′ 6-8′ X, P ‘Wyatti’ Viburnum, Leatherleaf Viburnum rhytidophylium 8-12′ 8-12′ NC, P

BROADLEAF EVERGREEN SHRUBS: Small (between 4 and 6 feet in height)

Barberry, Wintergreen Berbaris juliana 4-6′ 3-5′ NC, P Euonymus, Dupont Euonymus kiautschovicus 5-6′ 4-6′ Hardy (Patens) Euonymus, ‘Emerald ’n’ Euonymus fortunei 4-5′ 4′ X, P Gold’ ‘vegetus’ Euonymus, ‘Jewel’ Euonymus kiautschovicus 5-6′ 4-6′ Hardy (Patens) Euonymus, Medium Leaf Euonymus kiautschovicus 5-6′ 4-6′ Hardy (Patens) Euonymus, ‘Sarcoxie’ Euonymus fortunei 4-5′ 4′ X, P ‘vegetus’ Holly, Dwarf Japanese Ilex crenata ‘compacta’ 4-5′ 4-5′ SC, P Holly, ‘Hellers’ Japanese Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’ 4′ 5′ SC, P Holly, Hetz Japanese Ilex crenata ‘Hetzii’ 4′ 5′ SC, P Holly, Dwarf Yaupon Ilex vomitoria ‘nana’ 4′ 5′ SC, P Nandina Nandina domestica 4-5′ 4′ SC, P Pyracantha, ‘Low Boy’ Pyracantha coccinea ‘Low 4-5′ 4-5′ X, P Boy’

BROADLEAF EVERGREEN SHRUBS: Dwarf (less than 4 feet in height)

Azalea, Kurume Rhododendron obtusum 3′ 2-3′ SC, P Azalea, Mollis Hybrid Rhododendron X kosterianum 3-4′ 3-4′ SC, P Boxwood, Edging Buxus sempervirens 2-3′ 2-3′ NC, P Boxwood, Wintergreen Buxus microphylus 4′ 5′ NC, P Euonymus, ‘Emerald Euonymus fortunei 3-4′ 3-4′ X, P Cushion’ ‘vegetus’ Euonymus, ‘Emerald Euonymus fortunei 3-4′ 2-3′ X, P Gaiety’ ‘vegetus’ Euonymus, Small Leaf Euonymus kiautschovicus 2-3′ 2-3′ Hardy (Patens) Euonymus, Vinca Leaf Euonymus kiautschovicus 3-4′ 3-4′ X, P ‘vincafolia’ Holly, Dwarf Burford Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordi 3-4′ 2-3′ Hardy nana’ Rhododendron Rhododendron catawbiense 4′ 4′ SC, P

Adaptability: SE—hardy in southeastern Kansas only; SC—hardy in south central and eastern Kansas; NC—hardy in central and eastern Kansas only; P—protect from south west winds; X—hardiness is doubtful in hotter, drier locations of Kansas; Hardy—fully hardy in exposed areas of Kansas.

PROBLEMS TO EXPECT

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.