[Objective] Dust retention of typical shrublands in a desert-oasis ecotone was quantified, in order to provide a basis for the evaluation of dust retention benefits of regional windbreak and sand-fixing tree species and the construction of oasis protection systems. [Methods] Field investigations and sampling, indoor washing filtration, and other methods were used to determine the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of dust retention amount and particle size of three shrub species (Holoxylon ammodendron, Tamarix chinensis, and Nitraria tangutorum) in the desert-oasis transition zone along the 4-km range from desert to oasis in early March (winter state) and late June (summer state). [Results] The amount of dust retention gradually decreased from desert to oasis. In early March, the average decreases in dust retention of Haloxylon ammodendron, Tamarix chinensis, and Nitraria tangutorum were 20.74%, 16.13% and 14.72%, respectively. In late June, the average decreases were 14.37%, 9.23%, and 26.54%, respectively. In early March, Haloxylon ammodendron had the largest amount of dust retention, about 172.36 g/plant. In late June, Tamarix chinensis had the largest amount of dust retention, about 345.16 g/plant. In the first ten days of March, the dust particle size for the three shrubs mainly ranged from 20 to 50 μm, accounting for about 41.00% of the dust that was trapped. A small amount of dust trapped by Haloxylon ammodendron had particle sizes of 500 to 1000 μm, accounting for about 15.00% of the total. In late June, the particle size of the dust ranged from 100 to 200 μm, and a small amount ranged from 5 to 10 μm. [Conclusion] In March and June, the dust retention of the three shrubs showed a decreasing trend from desert to oasis. The dust retention and dust retention particle size of shrub plants were affected by time, space, and plant leaf surface characteristics.