VARIETY LISTINGS OF SHRUBS

Common Name Botanical Name Height Spread Adaptability[1]
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 ′Aurea’ 12′ 10-12′ Hardy
Fringe Tree, Red Cotonis coggygria ′rubrifolia’ 10′ 10-12′ X, P
Honeysuckle, Tatarian Lonicera tatarica 10-12′ 8-10′ Hardy
Hydrangea, P. G. Hydrangea paniculata ′grandiflora’ 10-15′ 10-15′ X, P
Lilac, Chinese (Rothamagensis) Syringa chinensis 10-15′ 10-15′ Hardy
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 Fringe) Cotinus coggygria 15′ 8′ X, P
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 ‘erecta’ 6-8′ 4-6′ X, P
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 Flowering Cotoneaster multiflora 8′ 8-12′ Hardy
Crabapple, Sargent Malus sargentii 6-8′ 8-10′ Hardy
Deutzia, Lemoine Deutzia X lemoinei 5-7′ 5-7′ NC, P
Deutzia, ‘Pride of Rochester’ Deutzia scabra 6-8′ 4-6′ NC, P
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 ‘flaviramea’ 8′ 8-10′ X, P
Forsythia, Beatrix Farrand Forsythia x intermedia 6-8′ 6-8′ X, P
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 ‘Sieboldii’ 8-10′ 10-15′ Hardy
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 ‘Zabelii’ 7-10′ 7-10′ Hardy
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 Snowflake’ Philadelphus X virginalis 8′ 6-8′ Hardy
Mockorange, Sweet Philadelphus coronarius 8-10′ 6-7′ Hardy
Ninebark, Common Physocarpus opulifolius 7-9′ 8-10′ Hardy
Ninebark, ‘Goldleaf’ Physocarpus opulifolius ‘luteus’ 8-10′ 8-10′ Hardy
Privit, Border Ligustrum obtusifolium 8-10′ 9′ X, P
Privit, Regel Ligustrum obtusifolium ‘regelium’ 5-7′ 6′ Hardy
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 ‘tomentosum’ 8-10′ 8-10′ NC, P
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 (Cherry) Prunus glandulosa 4-5′ 3-4′ Hardy
Barberry, Japanese (Green) Berberis thunbergii 4-6′ 3-5′ X, P
Barberry, Redleaf Berberis thunbergii ‘atropurpurea’ 4-5′ 3-5′ X, P
Barberry, Kobold Berberis thunbergii ‘Kobold’ 4-6′ 5-6′ X, P
Beautyberry, Japanese Callicarpa japonica 4-5′ 4-5′ NC, P
Burning Bush, Dwarf Winged Euonymus alatus ‘compacta’ 4-5′ 4-5′ X, P
Cotoneaster, Spreading Cotoneaster divaricata 5-6′ 6-8′ X, P
Cranberry, Compact European Viburnum opulus ‘compactum’ 4-6′ 4-6′ Hardy
Honeysuckle, Clavey’s Dwarf Lonicera xylosteum 4-6′ 4-6′ Hardy
Honeysuckle, Winter (Fragrant) Lonicera fragrantissima 5-7′ 6′ Hardy
Hydrangea, A. G. Hydrangea arborescens ‘grandiflora’ 3-5′ 5-7′ NC, P
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 ‘palibiniana’ 4-6′ 6-8′ NC, P
Mockorange, ‘Albatre’ Philadelphus X virginalis 4-6′ 4-6′ Hardy
Mockorange, ‘Belle Etoille’ Philadelphus X lemoine 6′ 6′ Hardy
Mockorange, ‘Bouquet Blanc’ Philadelphus X virginalis 6′ 6′ Hardy
Mockorange, ‘Glacier’ Philadelphus X virginalis 4-6′ 4-6′ Hardy
Quince, Japanese Flowering Chaenomeles lagenaria (speciosa) 5-7′ 6-8′ X, P
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 ‘Bronxensis’ 1½-2′ 3′ X, P
Hydrangea, ‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea X arborescens 3-4′ 4-5′ X, P
Mockorange, Silver Showers Philadelphus X lemoine 3-4′ 3-4′ Hardy
Mockorange, ‘Dwarf Minnesota Snowflake’ Philadelphus X virginalis ‘nana’ 2-3′ 2-3′ Hardy
Mockorange, Dwarf Sweet Philadelphus coronarius ‘nana’ 3-4′ 3-4′ Hardy
Ninebark, Dwarf Physocarpus opulitolius ‘nanus’ 3-4′ 3-4′ Hardy
Pea Shrub, Pygmy Caragana arborescens 1½-2′ 1½-2′ Hardy
Quince, Dwarf Flowering Chaenomeles meulei 2-3′ 2-3′ X, P
Quince, Japanese Flowering Chaenomeles japonica 3-4′ 4-5′ Hardy
Quince, Red Japanese Chaenomeles japonica ‘rubra’ 3-4′ 4-5′ Hardy
St. Johnswort, Hidcote Hypericum patulum ‘Hidcote’ 1½-2′ 1½-2′ X
St. Johnswort, Kalm Hypericum kalmianum 3-4′ 3-4′ Hardy
St. Johnswort, Sungold Hypericum patulum ‘Sungold’ 1½-2′ 1½-2′ Hardy
Spirea, Anthony Waterer Spirea X bumalda ‘Anthony Waterer’ 2-3′ 2-3′ X, P
Spirea, Froebel Spirea X bumalda ‘Froebeli’ 3-4′ 3-4′ X, P
Spirea, Redflowering Spirea japonica ‘coccinea’ 3-4′ 3-4′ X, P
Spirea, Snowmound Spirea nipponica ‘Snowmound’ 3-4′ 3-4′ Hardy
Willow, Dwarf Arctic Blue Salix purpurea ‘nana’ 3-4′ 3-4′ NC
Common Name Botanical Name Height Spread Adaptability[1]
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 (Patens) 6-8′ 8-10′ Hardy
Euonymus, ‘Manhattan’ Euonymus kiautschovicus (Patens) 8-10′ 8-12′ Hardy
Mahonia, Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium 5-7′ 4-5′ Hardy
Pyracantha, ‘Kasan’ Pyracantha coccinea ‘Kasan’ 6-8′ 6-8′ X, P
Pyracantha, ‘Lalandii’ Pyracantha coccinea ‘Lalandii’ 5-10′ 8-10′ X, P
Pyracantha, ‘Wyatti’ Pyracantha coccinea ‘Wyatti’ 6-8′ 6-8′ X, P
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 (Patens) 5-6′ 4-6′ Hardy
Euonymus, ‘Emerald ’n’ Gold’ Euonymus fortunei ‘vegetus’ 4-5′ 4′ X, P
Euonymus, ‘Jewel’ Euonymus kiautschovicus (Patens) 5-6′ 4-6′ Hardy
Euonymus, Medium Leaf Euonymus kiautschovicus (Patens) 5-6′ 4-6′ Hardy
Euonymus, ‘Sarcoxie’ Euonymus fortunei ‘vegetus’ 4-5′ 4′ X, P
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 Boy’ 4-5′ 4-5′ X, P
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 Cushion’ Euonymus fortunei ‘vegetus’ 3-4′ 3-4′ X, P
Euonymus, ‘Emerald Gaiety’ Euonymus fortunei ‘vegetus’ 3-4′ 2-3′ X, P
Euonymus, Small Leaf Euonymus kiautschovicus (Patens) 2-3′ 2-3′ Hardy
Euonymus, Vinca Leaf Euonymus kiautschovicus ‘vincafolia’ 3-4′ 3-4′ X, P
Holly, Dwarf Burford Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordi nana’ 3-4′ 2-3′ Hardy
Rhododendron Rhododendron catawbiense 4′ 4′ SC, P

[1]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.

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 iron sulfate or iron chelate to the plant or soil.

Your local County Extension Agent can assist you with the diagnosis of any disease, insect, or cultural problem.