Shrubs as Accent Plants

Accent end of walk if sidewalk approaches from driveway.

Shrubs that create a definite accent must be used with more care in your landscape than shrubs that soften lines. Two primary areas in your landscape should be accented. The most important of these is the front entryway to your home.

If the sidewalk to your front door approaches from the driveway along the front of the house, the accent area is at the end of the walk. This will provide a “visual” as well as a “physical” barrier that will point out the front door. Sidewalks that lead directly from the street to the door present a different situation. Accent may be created on either side of the front door, but never make the plantings completely symmetrical on each side. Create a strong accent to one side and a less dominant accent on the other side of the entryway. Never use accent plants on the corners of your house.

Accents may be created by (1) Height—taller plants catch the eye first; (2) Color—brightly colored foliage always attracts attention; (3) Texture—coarse leaf or stem textures provide strong contrasts; and (4) Form—pyramidal shrubs or clipping shrubs into unnatural shapes will create accent.

Shrubbery should create a stronger accent on one side of the entryway.

A single small upright Juniper can be used to accent an entry.

4

Another accent area for your landscape may be located in your shrub border. This area could be to the rear of your property, where it can be viewed from the patio or living room window. Never place accent plants randomly through the shrub border. This causes each accent plant to “fight” for dominance.

ACCENT PLANTS

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS: Tall (10 feet or more in height).

Elder, Golden

Fringe Tree, Red

Privit, Golden

Wayfaring Tree

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

Burning Bush, Winged

Dogwood, Coral

Dogwood, Redosier

Dogwood, Silky

Dogwood, Yellowtwig

Ninebark, Common

Ninebark, Goldleaf

Sand Cherry, Purpleleaf

Viburnum, Arrowwood

Viburnum, Doublefile

Weigela

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

Barberry, Redleaf

Burning Bush, Dwarf Winged

Weigela, Dwarf

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

Barberry, Crimson Pygmy

Ninebark, Dwarf

BROADLEAF EVERGREEN SHRUBS: Tall (10 feet or more in height).

Holly

Magnolia, Southern

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

Mahonia, Oregon Grape

Viburnum, Leatherleaf

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

Euonymus, Emerald ’n’ Gold

Holly

Nandina

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

Azalea

Euonymus, Emerald Gaiety

Holly, Dwarf

Mahonia, Compact Oregon Grape

Rhododendron