tree/shrub recommendations welcom

9 years ago

I recently completed building a new retaining wall by my drive at the front of my house. As part of that, I had a new "planter area" built by a lower wall that encloses a curved area of approx 12' by 7' at the widest, next to my parking space and driveway. (see pic) I am in Northern NJ, zone 6a. this location is on the west side of my house & garage, with shade until approx noon, then full sun until 6pm in the summer, less in the winter. I am imagining a small sized ornamental tree plus evergreens, and ground cover, hosta.
Issues are that
- this is right next to the road where there will be snow/salt potential and snow bank along road edge.
-I am concerned about roots given the concrete walls on either side of the space.
- am away fairly frequently so long stretches go by without my attention, and I am not a skilled gardener, so low maintenance and hardy are major plus
So.. my question is any thoughts or ideas on trees or evergreen shrubs that would be suited for this space. I would love green in the winter, and a ornamental tree.
thanks in advance for any advice!

Comments (5)

cadillactaste
9 years ago
What a beautiful space to fill in...though I am clueless to what might not later cause damage to the walls from roots. Is there a specific look your drawn to? Well manicured...or cottage feel? That may help others give you better direction as to what to plant.
JulieGB
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for your comment. I like a natural, native feel, not overly manicured or plants out of place for location (NW New Jersey) i am in a wooded/lake area with lots of small cottages and modest homes. I have been thinking about something that would be interesting for winter, as we have a lot of snow/long winters and some green, or winter red berries, etc would be nice. I saw some holly w/ red berries that I liked, maybe wiht some other greens. I don't want to have a perennial garden here as I already have a lot of that, I am thinking shrubs, small ornamental tree, evergreen. Does anyone have reco for something green in winter and/or berries or color in winter?
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I'm looking for recommendations for a shrub or tree for screening purposes in Zone 7 (just north of Washington DC.) The hope is to screen a section of a concrete patio on one side of our house, which has a horrible concrete block retaining wall that is about 4ft tall in this spot. The only saving grace has been that the wall was covered in ivy and there was a tree on the property next door. Unfortunately the neighbors next door cut down the tree and pulled out the ivy (the capstone to a 2yr long teardown/construction process) and so now my kitchen window faces a view that resembles a prison yard, with the added thrill of the neighbor's electrical panel. I want to cover the wall while additionally providing a modicum of privacy from the neighboring house. I've got a similar problem in the front of the house, but at least there I can make use of a planting bed between the retaining wall and the driveway. Some color would be nice, but I prefer something that might survive year round so I'm guessing that I'll have to go with some kind of conifer. If anyone can recommend something more creative than arborvitae, I'd be grateful!
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aegis1000
9 years ago
A Japanese Maple might fill the bill for a tree. Something like a Red Emperor/Empress might not outgrow the space.

{{gwi:37727}}
Red Emperor Japanese Maple

Winterberry has ornamental red berries in the winter, though you'll have to get females (for berries) and the correct male to enable the berrying. I believe that Red Sprite is the smallest growing variety ... and Jim Dandy is the appropriate male pollinator.

{{gwi:37728}}
Red Sprite Winterberry

For evergreen, you might look at planting the outer (arc) perimeter with a horizontal/prostrate juniper.

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Horizontal/Prostrate Juniper
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
There's NO Japanese maple by the name 'Red Emperor' - the registered name is 'Emperor 1' and it is a large upright form of JM, nothing like what is shown in that photo. 20-25' is standard, with an equal spread.

If you want a weeping red laceleaf - like the mislabeled Japanese maple in the above photo - look at 'Crimson Queen', 'Red Dragon', 'Tamukeyama' or 'Ever Red'. While these will not grow very tall due tot heir weeping nature, they can get pretty wide over time.
PRO
Yardvaark
9 years ago
Place garbage cans, boxes or similar such things, that can represent shrub mass, in the space. Drive in and out as you would normally use the parking. Before you commit to shrubs, see if they would block the view of traffic. A low branching tree could be as much a problem. From an in-your-car point of view, determine what sight lines need to be preserved. Keep in mind that guests will be different sizes and have different types of vehicles.

tree/shrub recommendations welcom

Comments (5)

cadillactaste

JulieGB
Original Author

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tree/shrub recommendations welcom

Comments (5)

cadillactaste

JulieGBOriginal Author

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aegis1000

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

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JulieGB
Original Author