Shrubs as Accent Plants

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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.

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
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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