McKay Nursery Company 
McKAY’S Beautiful Shrubs 
Under the classification of Ornamental Shrubs you will find a great variety of 
plants; some of them valued for the beauty of flowers, others for foliage, fruit or 
bark colorings, and some for both flowers and foliage. Charming effects are quickly 
obtainable with ornamental shrubs that become increasingly beautiful with the years. 
The grace of shrubbery augmenting the beauty of the home grounds is an invaluable 
asset. With proper selection of plants, it is possible to have a diversity of color 
and a succession of blossoms from early spring until late fall. 
If they are properly planted, shrubs require very little care; occasional pruning to 
keep some shrubs from getting too wide, or others from growing too tall for their 
positions, and some stirring of the soil, for the first few years. In the descriptions 
that follow, we have indicated the approximate height of the shrub at maturity, the 
color of flowers, time of bloom, fruit, bark, and other characteristics. 
The varieties listed represent the customary McKay standards of excellence that 
we can recommend to our customers and friends. 
Red-Leaved Barb 
ALMOND - Amygdalus 
PINK FLOWERED DOUBLE. Early in the 
spring before other shrubs have budded, 
the Flowering Almond is covered with 
pink rose-like blossoms. Does best when 
planted in a protected place, y.et should 
have a rather predominant place where 
the early flowers can reflect their full 
beauty. 3 to 5 feet. 
AMELANCHXER 
CANADENSIS (Juneberry or Downy Shad- 
blow). A large shrub, growing 10 to 15 
feet high with attractive white flowers in 
early spring, followed by dark red fruit 
which attracts birds. 
ARALIA 
PENTAPHYLLA (Acanthopanax pentaphyl- 
lum). 5 to 10 feet high when full grown. 
Upright, prickly branches with glossy fo¬ 
liage. One of the best shrubs for shady 
places and rocky banks. 
SPINOSA (Hercules’ Club). 10 to 15 feet. 
A tall shrub with prickly stems and trop¬ 
ical-looking, compound foliage. Immense 
panicles of creamy white flowers in August 
followed by dark purple berries. 
ARONXA 
ARBUTTFOLIA (Red Chokeberry). A na¬ 
tive shrub of great beauty and easy cul¬ 
ture. Covered with white flowers in early 
spring, followed by bright red berries 
which last all winter. Foliage turns red in 
fall. Very attractive. 
MELANOCARPA (Black Chokeberry). 
Similar to Aronia Arbutifolia except it is 
a much slower grower and has black 
berries instead of red. 
Thunberg’s Barberry (Trimmed) 
Tartarian Honeysuckle 
BEAUTY BUSH - Kolkwitzia 
AMABILIS. The gracefulness, free-blooming qualities, 
and hardiness of this Chinese plant makes it a beautiful 
plant for any garden. Central branches stand upright to 
a height of 5 to 6 feet, and its outer growth arches 
out and down to the ground. Its leafy stems are laden 
with clusters of deep pink flowers in June. 
BERBERIS - Barberry 
RED LEAF BARBERRY (Atropurpurea). A shrub of 
medium height, with bronze-red foliage. An exact re¬ 
production of the Japan Barberry in leaf and fruit for¬ 
mation. The scarlet berries persist throughout the 
winter. A valuable plant to give color in landscape 
work. Needs sunny exposure to retain the red leaf. 
THUNBERG’S BARBERRY (Japanese). 2 to 3 feet. 
Of low, spreading growth, forming a dense bush. The 
twiggy branches are covered with brilliant scarlet ber¬ 
ries. The foliage takes a splendid autumn coloring of 
gold and scarlet. This variety is immune from disease 
and does not carry rust to wheat. Very good for low 
hedge. 
TRUEHEDGE COLUMNBERRY (Thunbergi erecta). An 
upright growing form of Barberry. It makes a true, 
straight and narrow upright hedge in much less time 
than the well-known Japanese Barberry. The first trim¬ 
ming after planting gives a finished hedge appearance. 
Even untrimmed it will make a dense upright hedge. 
BUCKTHORN - Rhammis 
COMMON BUCKTHORN (Cathartica). Has a very 
good dark green foliage throughout the season. White, 
inconspicuous flowers in June. Branches are thorny. A 
good hedge for central and northern Wisconsin, where 
hardiness and thriftiness are essential. Trims well at 
3 to 6 feet. 
GLOSSY BUCKTHORN (Frangula). A shrub similar to 
the common Buckthorn, but grows somewhat slower. 
BUFFALO BERRY - Shepherdia 
ARGENTEA. A silver-leaved shrub growing to 12 feet. 
Much like the Russian Olive. Very hardy. Branches are 
spiny or thorny when young. Yellow, inconspicuous 
flowers in May followed by grayish berries. Used for 
color contrast in mass plantings. 
CARAGANA 
ARBORESCENS (Siberian Pea Tree). A tall shrub or 
small tree, with clusters of small yellow flowers in June. 
It is an ideal hedge for the North, as it is a strong, 
thrifty grower, and can be sheared at any height. Does 
well in dry and sandy soils. 
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