Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - April 20, 2013
From: Topeka, KS
Region: Midwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Small shrubs for landscape in Kansas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am intersted in small shrubs for the landscaping in front of our house located in Topeka,KS. Many of the shrubs I looked at are 5 foot in width in height. The plants will receive morning sun.ANSWER:
Please visit our Kansas Recommended page to find a list of plants that are native to Kansas and commerically available for landscaping. You can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH feature to search for shrubs of the size you want. Choose "Shrub" from GENERAL APPEARANCE and the height you want under HEIGHT (IN FEET). You can choose other criteria as well, if you wish. I chose shrubs 1-3' and 3-6' and have the following recommendations:
Ceanothus americanus (New jersey tea)
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (Coralberry)
I also did a search in our Native Plant Database using the COMBINATION SEARCH option and chose "Kansas" from Select State or Province and "Shrub" from General Appearance and the same height and found another one for you. You should try these to searches yourself to see if you find anything else you like.
Rhus trilobata (Skunkbush sumac) Here are photos and more information from Western New Mexico University.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Looking for native plants for a rain garden in Arlington, TX.
March 12, 2012 - I am looking for native Texas plants that would do well in rain gardens. Do you have any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Effective plant cover for utility boxes
June 15, 2007 - In Connecticut, we have utility boxes for underground electricity and cable located in front of our house. The builder has landscaped around them: first with rhododendrons and then azaleas and both ...
view the full question and answer
Flowering shrubs and vines for San Angelo, Texas
May 28, 2015 - Hello
What would be the best flowering shrubs and vines to plant here in dry San Angelo?
view the full question and answer
Transplant shock in Vacccinum corymbosum (highbush blueberry)
June 28, 2007 - Blueberry plants -
We planted Northland and Blue Crop, 2 of each. All 4 plants have some leaves that are turning brown. This starts at the tip of the leaf, eventually encompasses the entire leaf, a...
view the full question and answer
At what age does Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) begin to flower in Pflugerville, TX?
January 13, 2011 - At what age does a female possumhaw (Ilex decidua) usually bloom and set fruit? Or is there a way to identify the female other than by the presence of berries? I grew a number from seed and want to ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |