Landscaping Tips: Shrubs important part of Wyoming landscapes

By Karen Panter, Extension horticulture specialist, UWCES

Shrubs form an important part of most landscapes in Wyoming, filling the niche between low-growing plants, such as groundcovers and flowers, and taller trees.

Shrubs, by definition, are woody plants with several stems originating from the base of the plant. Many can be quite long-lived. Shrubs typically are 1 to 15 feet tall.

Make sure to purchase a plant that fits the spot and not the other way around. Exposure to wind and proximity to structures, utility lines, curbs, driveways and sidewalks – not to mention neighboring properties – are key points to consider. Also, keep in mind other plants in the vicinity, sun exposure, availability of water and soil characteristics.

Shrubs are usually available in several forms: bare-root or “whips,” containerized, and “balled-and-burlapped” (B&B).

Bare-root plants are sold without any soil and are usually small plants having few branches. The roots must be kept moist at all times.

Containerized shrubs are sold in some type of growing medium in pots. They are usually larger and more mature (and more expensive) than bare-root plants.

B&B shrubs are the largest and most expensive. These plants must be handled carefully to keep the rootball intact as root injury will compromise the shrub’s survival.

Make sure any plant purchased is healthy and shows no signs of insects or diseases.

The foliage should be healthy and the right color for the species. The right color can be hard to know unless homework is done beforehand. Many plants are supposed to be variegated or not completely “green.” If the garden center or nursery is reputable, a retailer should be able to tell you if the color is right. Also, there should always be a tag on the plant. Many of the tags have a picture and description of what the plant should look like.

Branches should not be broken or damaged, and stems should not be scarred. Root systems should be clean and white. Look for new growth like buds or leaves.

Many shrubs are suited for Wyoming’s climate.

Some evergreen shrubs include kinnikinnick or bearberry (Arctostaphylos x coloradensis, ‘Chieftain’ for example), junipers (Juniperus), and Oregon grape holly (Mahonia aquifolium for shade). Dwarf “specialty” spruces (Picea) and firs (Abies) are also available. Some types of Euonymus also fill the shrub niche.

Some deciduous shrubs include blue mist spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis), which does best in the state’s lower elevations (check with your nursery), cotoneasters (Cotoneaster), several species of currant (Ribes), lilacs (Syringa), and a number of viburnums (Viburnum). Forsythias (Forsythia) and some pyracanthas (Pyracantha) are also suitable, the latter at elevations below about 6,500 feet.

Other deciduous shrubs to consider are mountain sweet (Ceanothus), winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), dogwood (Cornus sericea), honeysuckles (Lonicera), cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), sumac (Rhus), elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), and snowberry (Symphoricarpos).

Also think about Siberian peashrub (Caragana), barberry (Berberis), spirea (Spiraea), ninebark (Physocarpus), several Prunus species (cherries, plums), mockorange (especially Philadelphus lewisii ‘Cheyenne’), hardy hydrangeas (Hydrangea), quince (Chaenomeles), privet (Ligustrum), and willows (Salix).

The University of Wyoming bulletin Landscaping: Recommended Shrubs for Wyoming, B-1108, is available on the Web at www.uwyo.edu/CES/PUBS/B-1108.pdf. Copies can also be obtained at local CES offices in Wyoming.

Additional information on many of the plants listed in B-1108, along with photos, is available on the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service “Plants Database” Web page at http://plants.usda.gov/.

There is another plant Web site I use a lot (http://plantfacts.osu.edu/). ‘Plant Facts’ is based at The Ohio State University and has several features, one of which is a photo gallery of many horticultural plants. It also has a great search engine for finding fact sheets and bulletins at universities and government institutions in North America.

Plant shrubs suitable for your area. Most of Wyoming is in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Plant Hardiness Zone 4, meaning the area has an average annual minimum temperature of minus 20 to minus 30.

Some areas in Wyoming are Zone 3 (minus 30 to minus 40) or Zone 5 (minus 10 to minus 20). Check with a local nursery, a plant catalog or book, or a reputable online source such as www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html.

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor
Phone: (307) 766-3571
E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

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