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Year Round Gardening
Shrubs for Colorado Landscapes
Barbara Bates, Colorado State University Extension
Natural landscapes are comprised of layers of
plants: low groundcovers and herbaceous plants, a
middle layer of shrubs, small trees and finally a
canopy of mature taller trees. The middle layer of
shrubs ranges from about 5 to 15 ft. It is the layer
that is most in scale with the human form, and the
layer people can most easily notice, interact with and
use for various purposes in the landscape.
A general definition of shrubs is that they are
multistem woody plants, either deciduous or
evergreen. In the home landscape they can be used
as borders, screens, focal points, habitat for birds,
berry and nut producers and for scent, bloom and fall
color. As with most plants, it is critical to choose the
right plant for the right purpose and place. Over
their lifetime, shrubs require much less care than
perennial flowers that require division and annual
clean up, yet shrubs can offer bloom, interesting
foliage and fruits to delight both people and wildlife.
Some shrubs will require more cultural attention,
while others are relatively carefree.
For the north side of your home, try members of the viburnum family for bloom, fragrance and
colorful berries. Wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana) is a large shrub that is coarse in texture and
form. It is best used as a background planting for smaller shrubs or perennials, or as a border
and screening plant. Flower clusters bloom in spring, followed by clusters of berries that
transition from yellow to red to black as the season passes.
For a specimen shrub that is evergreen, consider the globe arborvitaes (Thuga occidentalis).
Knowing the mature size of these slow growing cultivars will help you make the right selection.
“Hetz Midget” is the smallest at 3 ft., then “Little Giant” at 4ft, and “Holmstrup” at 5ft. It is
important to get the proper cultivar for the desired mature height. You can plant a variety of
cultivars to create a whimsical grouping.
For southern exposures, Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus) and New Mexico privet (Forestiera
neomexicana) are choices that will not require much care beyond the initial years of
establishment. Both are about 10 ft. tall when mature, making them good candidates for
shading a patio and providing screening. Both are xeric plants, with small leaves. New Mexico
privet has silvery gray stems that provide winter interest. Curly Leaf Mountain mahogany (C.
ledifolius) has distinctive feathery seed heads and evergreen leaves.
Red elder (Sambucus racemosa) is a smaller shrub for southern exposures. The shiny leaves
and clusters of creamy flowers make this one stand out in summer landscapes. Bright red
berries in fall can attract birds. This plant will be happiest planted in low spots or near a
downspout where it will get seem additional water.
If you have an area that is difficult to mow or a steep slope and you need a woody filler plant,
consider Snowberry (Symphoricarpus albus) and its close cousin Coralberry (S. orbiculatus).
The names indicate the color of the fruit. It is low, about 3 ft., with arching branches lined with
small round leaves. This native plant spreads by underground runners and once established,
requires little care. Both these species are shade tolerant and can be used under existing trees.
If you are looking for an evergreen groundcover I recommend Compact Andorra junipers
(Juniperus “Andorra Compactus). This plant stays under 2 ft. but spreads to 5ft. The foliage
color changes with each season: bright green in spring, blue-green in summer, bronze in fall
followed by plum tones in winter. Mass plantings of Andorras on slopes used as groundcovers
are very low maintenance and visually appealing.
For more information on Native Shrubs for Colorado refer to Fact Sheet 7.422 at
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07422.html
Plan to attend some or all of the weekly Spring Garden Classes sponsored by CSU Extension.
Classes start on March 21 and continue through May 19th. Each class is held on Saturday
morning at DeVry University and repeated on Tuesday afternoon at the Extension office. For
more information go to the CSU website at http://elpasoco.colostate.edu/.
When you have questions, Colorado State University Extension has research based answers
Get answers to your horticulture questions by calling a Master Gardener Volunteer at 520-7684
or visiting https://ask.extension.org
Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and El Paso County Extension Programs
are available to all without discrimination