Selecting Shrubs for the Landscape

8/8/2019 Selecting Shrubs for the Landscape

1/16


2/16

HLA-6439-2

Select shrubs hardy enough to survive the winter anddurable enough to endure the Oklahoma summer heat.

Avoid shrubs with serious pest problems. The largeselection o available shrubs makes it unnecessary to usethose notorious or annual inestations o insects or diseases.Pests attack most shrubs during their lives, but most can beeasily controlled or ignored. Shrubs to avoid are those withserious pest problems that render the plants aestheticallyunacceptable.

Shrubs for a Purpose

Tolerates or Prefers Dry LocationsMost or all o the shrubs listed below will still require vigi-

lant irrigation or at least the rst growing season. However,upon establishment, plants below are known to tolerate oreven preer dry sites. Tolerance to dry or xeric conditions willwidely dier amongst these species.

Abelia, Glossy (Abeliax grandiora)Althea or Rose o Sharon, (Hibiscus syriacus)Aralia, Fivelea (Eleutherococcus sieboldianus)Aucuba, Japanese (Aucuba japonica)Barberry, Japanese (Berberis thunbergii)Barberry, Mentor (Berberisx mentorenesis)Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)Bluebeard or Blue-mist shrub (Caryopterisx clandonensis)Blueberry, Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum)Bush-Honeysuckle, Southern (Diervilla sessiliolia)

Chokeberry, Black or Red (Aronia melanocarpaor A.arbutiolia)

Cinqueoil, Bush (Potentilla ruticosa)Coralberry, Indiancurrant, or Buckbrush (Symphoricarpos

orbiculatus)Coralberry, Chenault (Symphoricarposx chenaultii)Cotoneaster, Rock (Cotoneaster apiculatus)Cotoneaster, Spreading (Cotoneaster divaricatus)Cotoneaster, Willowlea (Cotoneaster saliciolius)Devils-walkingstick (Aralia spinosa)Dogwood, Gray (Cornus racemosa)Dogwood, Roughlea (Cornus asperioliavar. drummondii)Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)Holly, Chinese (Ilex cornuta)Holly, Yaupon (Ilex vomotoria)Honeysuckle, Morrow (Lonicera morrowii)Honeysuckle, Tatarian (Lonicera tatarica)Honeysuckle, Winter (Lonicera ragrantissima)Hydrangea, smooth (Hydrangea arborescens)Indian Hawthorn (Raphiolepsisspp.)Juniper (Juniperusspp.)Nandina or Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)Ninebark, (Physocarpus opuliolius)Paradise Ponciana or Bird o Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesi)

Pearl Bush (Exochorda racemosa)Photinia (Photiniaspp.)Plum, American (Prunus americana)Plum, Sandhill (Prunus angustiolia)Privet (Ligustrumspp.)Quince, fowering (Chaenomeles speciosa)Rose, rugosa (Rosa rugosa)Saint Johnswort (Hypericumspp.)Serviceberry, Shadblow (Amelanchier canadensis)Siberian Peashrub (Caragana arborescens)Spirea, Anthony Waterer (Spiraea x bumalda Anthony

Waterer)Spirea, Vanhoutte (Spiraeax vanhouttei)Sumac, Fragrant (Rhus aromatica)Sumac, Smooth (Rhus glabra)

Witchhazel (Hamamelisspp.)Yucca (Yuccaspp.)

Tolerates or Prefers Wet Locations Plants listed below will only tolerate fooding or shortperiods o time (normally only a ew days). Very ew willactually survive long-term submersion o their root systems.

Beautyberry, Purple (Callicarpa dichotoma)Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)Chokeberry (Aroniaspp.)Cinqueoil, Bush (Potentilla ruticosa)Devilwood, False holly or Osmanthus (Osmanthus het-

erophyllus)Dogwood, Redosier (Cornus sericea)Dogwood, Roughlea (Cornus asperiolia)Dogwood, Silky (Cornus amomum)Elder, American or Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)Holly, Deciduous or Possumhaw (Ilex decidua)Holly, Inkberry (Ilex glabra)Summersweet (Clethra alniolia)Sweetshrub, Caliornia (Calycanthus occidentalis)Sweetspire, Virginia (Itea virginica)Viburnum, European or Snowball (Viburnum opulus)Waxmyrtle, Southern (Myrica ceriera)

Shrubs pruned in a formal fashion can be used to createfun and creative garden designs.


3/16

Tolerates or Prefers ShadeThe ollowing plants will perorm well under shady condi-

tions.

Abelia, Glossy (Abeliax grandiora)Aralia, Fivelea (Eleutherococcus sieboldianus)Aucuba, Japanese (Aucuba japonica)Azalea (Rhododendronspp.)Barberry, Japanese (Berberis thunbergii)Barberry, Mentor (Berberisx mentorenesis)Boxwood, Common (Buxus sempervirens)Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)Camellia (Camelliaspp.)Coralberry or Snowberry (Symphoricarposspp.)

Currant, Golden (Ribes aplinumAureum)Dogwood, Redosier (Cornus sericea)Euonymus (Euonymusspp.)Fothergilla (Fothergillaspp.)Holly (Ilexspp.)Honeysuckle, Winter (Lonicera ragrantissima)Hydrangea (Hydrangeaspp.)Jasmine, Winter (Jasminum nudiorum)Jetbead, Black (Rhodotypos scandens)Kerria, Japanese (Kerria japonica)Mockorange (Philadelphusspp.)Mahonia, creeping (Mahonia repens)Mahonia, Leatherlea (Mahonia bealei)Nandina, Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica)Pine, Mugo (Pinus mugovar. mugo)

Privet (Ligustrumspp.)Spirea, Vanhoutte (Spiraeax vanhouttei)Sweetspire, Virginia (Itea virginica)Weigela, Old ashioned (Weigela orida)Yew, (Taxusspp.)Viburnum (Viburnumspp.)

Tolerates or Prefers Alkaline Soils Many o the plants listed below will thrive and remain greendespite growing in high pH soils. However, when pH valuesexceed pH 8.0 or higher, it may be dicult to grow some othe species below.

Althea or Rose o Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)Barberry (Berberisspp.)Beautyberry, Purple (Callicarpa dichotoma)Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis)Bluebeard or Blue-mist Shrub (Caryopterisx clandonensis)Boxwood (Buxusspp.)Buddleia or Butterfy Bush (Buddleia davidii)Bush cinqueoil (Potentilla ruticosa)Carolina Allspice or Sweetshrub(Calycanthus oridus)

HLA-6439-3

Shrubs with variegated foliage, like this ve-leaf aralia,really stand out in shady areas.

Aucuba or Gold Dust plant is excellent for heavily shadedareas.

Shrubs with variegated leaves.

CommonBoxwood

Abelia

Confetti


4/16

Chokeberry (Aroniaspp.)Cotoneaster (Cotoneasterspp.)Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)Dogwood, Redosier or Red Twig (Cornus sericea)Euonymus (Euonymusspp.)Firethorn (Pyracanthaspp.)Forsythia (Forsythiax intermedia)Honeysuckle (Loniceraspp.)Juniper (Juniperusspp.)Lilac (Syringaspp.)Mahonia (Mahoniaspp.)Mockorange (Philadelphusspp.)Nandina (Nandina domestica)Ninebark (Physocarpusspp.)Pine (Pinusspp.)Privet (Ligustrumspp.)Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)Spirea (Spiraeaspp.)Viburnum (Viburnumspp.)Yew (Taxusspp.)Yucca (Yuccaspp.)

Tolerates Salty Soils

Plants below have varying degrees o tolerance to salinesoils. While some may survive salty soils, the homeownershould still expect the possibility o burned or scorched leaveswith overall stunting o the plant a possibility.

Bayberry, northern (Myrica pensylvanica)Blueberry, highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum)Bush-Honeysuckle, southern (Diervilla sessiliolia)Chokeberry, black (Aronia melanocarpa)Chokeberry, red (Aronia arbutiolia)Cinqueoil, bush (Potentilla ruticosa)Cotoneaster, rock (Cotoneaster apiculatus)Cotoneaster, spreading (Cotoneaster divaricatus)Cotoneaster, willowlea (Cotoneaster saliciolius)Holly, inkberry (Ilex glabra)

Holly, Japanese (Ilex crenata)Hydrangea, biglea (Hydrangea macrophylla)Hydrangea, oaklea (Hydrangea querciolia)Hydrangea, panicle (Hydrangea paniculata)Hydrangea, smooth (Hydrangea arborescens)Juniper, shore (Juniperus conerta)Lilac, littlelea (Syringa microphylla)Lilac, Manchurian (Syringa patulaMiss Kim)Lilac, Meyer (Syringa meyeriPalibin)Privet, Amur (Ligustrum amurense)

HLA-6439-4

Interesting Stems or Bark

Harry Lauders Walkingstick Diablo Ninebark

Rose, rugosa (Rosa rugosa)Viburnum, Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)Viburnum, blackhaw (Viburnum pruniolium)Viburnum, siebold (Viburnum sieboldii)Yew, Anglojap (Taxusx mediacultivars)Yew, Japanese (Taxus cuspidata)

Winter InterestMany plants have ornamental merit during the cold

months. There are a number o other attributes to seek out inaddition to fowers; many plants have characteristics that setthem above other plants, such as the colorul bark o redosierdogwood, the colorul ruit o deciduous holly that persist intothe winter, and the unusual branching habit o Harry Lauderswalkingstick.

Showy Bark/Branches or Unusual Form:Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis)Dogwood, redosier (Cornus sericea)Dogwood, yellowtwig (Cornus sericeaFlaviramea)Euonymus, Winged or Burning bush (Euonymus alatus)Harry Lauders walkingstick (Corylus avellanaContorta)Honeysuckle (Loniceraspp.)

Kerria, Japanese (Kerria japonica)

Interesting or Showy Fruit:Barberry, Japanese (Berberis thunbergii)Beautyberry (Callicarpa japonica)Buckthorn, Carolina (Rhamnuscaroliniana)Bualoberry, Silver (Shepherdia argentea)Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)Chokeberry, Black (Aronia melanocarpa)Chokeberry, Red (Aronia arbutiolia)Coralberry, Indiancurrant or Buckbrush (Symphoricarpos

orbiculatus)Cotoneaster (Cotoneasterspp.)Dogwood (Cornusspp.)Elder or Elderberry (Sambucusspp.)Euonymus (Euonymusspp.)Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)Hardy orange (Poncirus trioliata)Holly (Ilexspp. and hybrids)


5/16

HLA-6439-5

Flowering Shrubs

Ballerina Rose Woadwaxen Bird of Paradise

Burgundy Chilopsis

Summersweet

Purple Smoketree

Honeysuckle, Morrow (Lonicera morrowii)Honeysuckle, Tatarian (Lonicera tatarica)Jetbead, Black (Rhodotypos scandens)Juniper (Juniperusspp.)Mahonia (Mahoniaspp.)Nandina or Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica)Privet (Ligustrumspp.)Sumac (Rhusspp.)Viburnum (Viburnumspp.)

Flowers During Winter and Early SpringCamellia (Camelliaspp.)Forsythia (Forsythiaspp.)Jasmine, winter (Jasminum nudiorum)Honeysuckle, winter (Lonicera ragrantissima)Quince, Flowering (Chaenomelesspp.)Spirea (certain Spiraeaspp.)Witchhazel (Hamamelisspp.)Winterhazel (Corylopsisspp.)

Showy FlowersWe expect herbaceous annual and perennial ornamental

plants to bloom in the landscape, but it is an added bonus

when shrubs bloom. The ollowing shrubs provide colorul,showy fowers.

Abelia, glossy (Abeliax grandiora)

Althea or Rose o Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)Azalea (Rhododendronspp.)Barberry (Berberisspp.)Beautyberry (Callicarpa japonica)Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis)Bluebeard or Blue-mist Shrub (Caryopterisx clandonensis)Bush Cinqeoil (Potentilla ruticosa)Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)Butterfy bush (Buddleiaspp.)Camellia (Camelliaspp.)Carolina Allspice or Sweetshrub (Calycanthus oridus)Cherrylaurel, Carolina (Prunus caroliniana)Cherrylaurel, Otto Luyken (Prunus laurocerasus Otto

Luyken)Cherrylaurel, Common (Prunus laurocerasus)Cotoneaster (Cotoneasterspp.)Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)Flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa)Forsythia (Forsythiaspp.)Honeysuckle (Loniceraspp.)Hydrangea (Hydrangeaspp.)Indian Hawthorn (Raphiolepsisspp.)Lilac (Syringaspp.)Mahonia (Mahoniaspp.)

Mockorange, sweet (Philadelphusspp.)Nandina or Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica)Pearl Bush (Exochordaspp.)Photinia (Photiniaspp.)


6/16

HLA-6439-6

Azaleas and Forsythia

Pink Velour Crapemyrtle

Chastetree Winter Jasmine

Fothergilla St. Johnswort

Japanese Kerria Leatherleaf Mahonia Oakleaf Hydrangea

Flowering Shrubs


7/16

Pyracantha or Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)Rose (Rosaspp.)Sand plum (Prunus angustiolia)Siberian peashrub (Caragana arborescens)Spirea (Spiraeaspp.)St. Johnswort (Hypericumspp.)Sweetspire (Itea virginica)Viburnums (Viburnumspp.)Vitex, Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)Weigela (Weigela orida)Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiorum)Witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis)

Fall ColorMany actors infuence the quality and intensity o all

color or any given year. Some o the plants listed below havespecic species or cultivars that are known or reliable andmarkedly vivid all color. When all color is the priority traitdesired, it is advisable to purchase the plant in the all whensuch colors can be viewed and critiqued by the consumer.

Barberry, Japanese (Berberis thunbergii)Beautyberry (Callicarpaspp.)

Blueberry (Vacciniumspp.)Carolina Allspice or Sweetshrub (Calycanthus oridus)Chokeberry (Aroniaspp.)Cotoneaster (Cotoneasterspp.)Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemiaspp.)

HLA-6439-7

Dogwood (Cornusspp.)Euonymus, Winged or Burning Bush (Euonymus alata)Forsythia (Forsythiaspp.)Fothergilla (Fothergillaspp.)Hydrangea, Oaklea (Hydrangea querciolia)Mahonia, creeping and Oregon grapeholly (Mahonia repens

and M. aquiolium)Nandina, heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica)Ninebark (Physocarpusspp.)Parrotia, Persian (Parrotia persica)Serviceberry (Amelanchierspp.)Smoketree (Cotinus coggygria)Spirea (Spiraeaspp.)Sumac (Rhusspp.)Sweetspire, Virginia (Itea virginica)Viburnum (Viburnumspp.)Witchhazel (Hamamelisspp.)

Garden and Patio or Large ContainersJust a ew o the many plants that are candidates or

containers are listed below; theoretically, most shrubs could becontainerized. However, some plants do not perorm well oroutgrow containers ater many years. I permanent plantings

are your expectation, check with garden center personnel orthe best plant or plants to use or long-term success.

Abelia, glossy (Abeliax grandiora)Barberry (Berberisspp.)

Shrubs with colorful foliage

Golden Chamaecyparis

Diablo Ninebark

Purple smoketree

Magic Carpet Spirea

Loropetalum


8/16

Boxwood (Buxusspp.)Holly, Evergreen and deciduous (Ilexspp.)Juniper (Juniperusspp.)Mahonia, creeping (Mahonia repens)Nandina, dwar selections (Nandina domestica)Yew (Taxusspp.)

Small Shrubs for Small SpacesMany species have cultivars that have been selected or

their short height or narrow width at maturity.

Arborvitae, Dwar (Thujaspp.)Crapemyrtle, Miniature (Lagerstroemiaspp.)Dwar Alberta Spruce (Picea glaucaConica)

Euonymus, Dwar Box lea (Euonymusjaponicus 'Micro-phyllus')Indian Hawthorne, Ballerina (Rhaphiolepisspp.)Junipers (Juniperusspp.)Mahonia, Creeping (Mahonia repens)Nandina, Dwar (Nandina domestica)Pine, Mugo (Dwar cultivars) (Pinus mugo)Pomegranate, Dwar (Punica granatum)Roses, Miniature (Rosaspp.)Waxmyrtle, Dwar (Myricaspp.)

HLA-6439-8

Attract WildlifeMany gardeners not only enjoy plants in the landscape,but also the wildlie that may be attracted to it. The ollowingshrubs may attract wildlie by the ruit they produce or byproviding physical protection.

Abelia (Abeliaspp.)Azalea (Rhododendronspp.)Barberry (Berberisspp.)Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)Beautyberry (Callicarpaspp.)Blackberry (Rubusspp.)Blueberry (Vacciniumspp.)Buckthorn, Carolina (Rhamnus carolinianus)Butterfy Bush (Buddleiaspp.)Cherrylaurel, Carolina (Prunus caroliniana)Corralberry, Indiancurrant or Buckbrush (Symphoricarpos

orbiculatus)Currant, Clove (Ribes odoratum)Dogwood, Roughlea (Cornus drummondii)Eastern Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus)Elder, American or Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)Grapeholly (Mahoniaspp.)Holly (Ilexspp.)Juniper (Juniperusspp.)Magnolia, Sweet Bay (Magnolia virginiana)

Shrubs with attractive fruit

Beautyberry

Deciduous Holly

Burning Bush

Firethorn

Black Jetbead

Leatherleaf Mahonia


9/16

New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)Plum, Sand (Prunus augustiolia)Privet (Ligustrumspp.)Quince, Flowering (Chaenomelesspp.)Rose (Rosaspp.)Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)Strawberry bush (Euonymusspp.)Sumac (Rhusspp.)Viburnum (Viburnumspp.)Weigela (Weigelaspp.)Yucca (Yuccaspp.)

Native SpeciesNative, in this context, is dened as any plant native to

somewhere in the lower 48 contiguous states, not just Okla-homa.

Bayberry, northern (Myrica pensylvanica)Beautyberry(Callicarpa americana)Bladdernut, American(Staphylea triolia)Blueberry, highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum)Bush-Honeysuckle, Southern (Diervilla sessiliolia)

HLA-6439-9

Buttonbush(Cephalanthus occidentalis)Carolina Allspice or Sweetshrub (Calycanthus oridus)Chokeberries, Red and black (Aronia arbutiolia and A.

melanocarpa, respectively)Currant, Clove(Ribes odoratum)Devils walkingstick (Aralia spinosa)Fothergilla, Dwar (Fothergilla gardenii)

Fothergilla, large (Fothergilla major)Grapeholly(Mahoniaspp.)Holly, American (Ilex opaca)Holly, common winterberry (Ilex verticillata)Holly, Deciduous or possumhaw(Ilex decidua)Holly, inkberry (Ilex glabra)Hydrangea, smooth (Hydrangea arborescens)Hydrangea, Oaklea (Hydrangea querciolia)Juniper (Juniperusspp.)Ninebark, purple, Diablo (Physocarpus opulioliusMonlo)Palmetto (Sabal minor)Rhododendron and azalea (Rhododendronspp. & cultivars)Summersweet or sweet pepperbush (Clethra alniolia)Sweetspire, Virginia (Itea virginica)Viburnum, American cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum)Viburnum, arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)

Evergreen Shrubs

Aucuba Gold Dust Plant

Green Mountain Boxwood

Pencil Yaupon Holly

Falsecypress

Yew


10/16

Viburnum, blackhaw (Viburnum pruniolium)Viburnum, Southern blackhaw(Viburnum rufdulum)Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplissima)

Make Good HedgesMany shrubs are suitable or use as a hedge. However,

some work better than others depending on i they are trained

into a clipped, ormal hedge or pruned more inormally tomaintain the natural orm and shape o the plant. Plants withsmaller leaves, as opposed to wide, large leaves, work bestor ormal, clipped hedges.

Shrubs for formal, clipped hedge:Abelia (Abeliaspp.)Barberry, Wintergreen (Berberis julianae)Boxwood (Buxusspp.)Devilwood, False holly or Osmanthus (Osmanthus het-

erophyllus)Holly (Ilexspp.)Yews (Taxusspp.)

Shrubs for natural hedges:Abelia (Abeliaspp.)Barberry (Berberisspp.)Boxwood (Buxusspp.)Cherrylaurel (Prunusspp.)Cotoneaster (Cotoneasterspp.)Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemiaspp.)Firethorn (Pyracanthaspp.)Forsythia (Forsythiacultivars)Holly (Ilexspp.)Honeysuckle (Loniceraspp.)Juniper (Juniperusspp.)Photinia (Photiniaspp.)Privet (Ligustrumspp.)Rose (Rosaspp.)

Viburnum (Viburnumspp.)

Evergreens for Background and Screens:Arborvitae (Thujaspp.)Azaleas (Rhododendronhybrids)Boxwood (Buxusspp.)

HLA-6439-10

Cherrylaurel (Prunusspp.)Devilwood, False holly or Osmanthus (Osmanthus het-

erophyllus)Holly (Ilexspp.)Juniper, Chinese (Juniperus chinensiscultivars)Privet (Ligustrumspp.)Rhododendron (Rhododendronspp.)Viburnum (Viburnumspp.)Waxmyrtle (Myrica ceriera)Yews (Taxusspp.)

Make Good Ground CoversShrubs that tend to spread or creep along the ground, or

dont grow more than 30 inches tall and when planted closetogether cover the ground, may be used as ground covers.Plants with attractive oliage and dense growth habit makethe best ground covers.

Abelia, dwar (Abeliax grandioraProstrata, EdwardGoucher and others)

Azaleas, low and spreading (Azalea hybrids)

Barberry, Crimson Pygmy (Berberis thunbergiiatropurpureaCrimson Pygmy)Cotoneaster, rockspray (Cotoneaster horizontalis)Cotoneaster, willowlea (Cotoneaster saliciolius

Repens)Holly, dwar yaupon (Ilex vomitoriaSchellings Dwar

and other cultivars)Holly, Japanese (Ilex crenataStokes and other culti-

vars)Juniper, Chinese (Juniperus chinensiscultivars)Junipers, creeping (Juniperus horizontalisBlueRug and other cultivars)Juniper, shore (Juniperus conertacultivars)Leucothoe, drooping (Leucothoe ontanesiana)Nandinas, Dwar (Nandina domesticaHarbor

Dwar and other cultivars)St. Johnswort, shrubby (Hypericum patulum)Summersweet, Hummingbird (Clethra alniolia

Hummingbird)Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplissima)Yew, anglojap (Taxusx media)

Viburnum

William Penn Barberry Southern Waxmyrtle

Evergreen Shrubs

Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII o the Civil Rights Act o 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX o the Education Amendments o 1972, Americanswith Disabilities Act o 1990, and other ederal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis o race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran inany o its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, nancial aid, and educational services.

Issued in urtherance o Cooperative Extension work, acts o May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department o Agriculture, Robert E. Whitson, Director o Cooperative Exten-sion Service, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. This publication is printed and issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Vice President, Dean, and Director othe Division o Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and has been prepared and distributed at a cost o $3.75 per copy. 0109 GH


11/16


12/16


13/16


14/16


15/16


16/16

Selecting Shrubs for the Landscape

Documents