Eight species shrubs were chosen from the ecological slope of Ningchang Highway to study the vertical distribution of these shrubs roots and their effect on the slope. From firm soil effectiveness aspect, it showed that the organic contents and moisture stability index of the soil with shrubs increased significantly, which improved stability of the slope. Amorpha fruticosa, Cassia corymbosa and Pittosporum tobira performed relative better compared with other species; followed by Rosa chinensis, Hypericum chinensi. Photinia×fraseri, Hibiscus mutabilis, and Mahonia fortunei had relative poor capabilities of stabilization. From root absorption effectiveness aspect, Pittosporum tobira were the most outstanding, followed by H. chinensis, M. fortunei, C. corymbosa, and H. mutabilis. The performance of A. fruticosa, R. chinensis, Photinia×fraseri were the worst. Therefore, in the steep ecological slope of highway, its good to choose A. fruticosa, C. corymbosa and P. tobira which have great ability of firming soil; while in the moderate slope of highway, shrubs selection and configuration can be combined with protection and landscape features. In the more barren highway slope, shrubs like P. tobira, H. chinensis; M. fortunei, and C. corymbosa with high absorption effectiveness can be picked up. They can use moisture and nutrients well from the soil of the highway slope, as a result it is benefit to improve the overall efficiency of the slope.