Replacement shrubs after loss of trees

16 years ago

After removing some old trees, a shrub planting I put in three years ago in a part sun location is now in mostly sun, with protection from the late afternoon sun and morning sun only. Some of the shrubs will tolerate the increased sun, but some, I think, will need to be moved to a shadier spot, and replaced with plants with similar characteristics if my overall design is not to be altered too much. I do plan on replanting some trees, but they will take time to get large enough to cast much shade, and they won't be as big as the ones that were there (Norway Maples, good riddance).

The plants that should be OK: Pieris, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Dwarf Deutzia, Fothergilla, and Taxus baccata 'Repandens'.

The ones that I think need to be relocated:

Kalmia 'Sarah'

Maybe use Abelia? or if deciduous, Koreanspice Viburnum or Hydrangea? Cornus alba? I think evergreen would be best, but size-wise I haven't come up with anything that will take that much sun in a broadleaf evergreen.

Azalea poukhanensis 'Compacta'

Again, Abelia comes to mind if not used elsewhere, or a landscape rose?

Rhododendron maximum

Blue Holly? Pieris? A small tree?

It's too bad that these shrubs will no longer have to compete with the roots of the maples, but now may have too much sun to do well in this area, which is on the north side of the house, but sunny when the sun is high.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Jo

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Comments (4)

Iris GW
16 years ago
is now in mostly sun, with protection from the late afternoon sun and morning sun only

If they get morning sun only, even up to 1 or 2 pm, they should still be fine. I have Kalmia in full morning sun up to 1 pm and it does very well, fantastic bloom set.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
as noted.. protection from the 'hot sun' is the best of all worlds.. IMHO ....

a lot of plants... hosta as an example.. are simply shade TOLERANT .... and do surprisingly well in more sun ...

my best advice ... move only those that are 100% sun intolerant... and see how the rest do next year... unless you just need the exercise and fun of moving them all ... you may be surprised how well they all do ...

increased sun will require increased water.. and given enough water... they will do just fine.. if not grow explosively as compared to the dark waterless world under a maple ...

of all your listed plants.. i only have the oakleaf hydrangea.. in full, all day, blistering sun ... it isn't pretty by late august.. but it is growing like a weed ...

good luck

ken

PS: you are going to be so happy that maple is gone ... lol ...
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ally_ld
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In my experience, Pieris is a hot full sun situation is very susceptible to lace bug. I have the same variety with afternoon hot sun protection and it stays clean. Oakleaf will tolerate full sun but wilts.

Kalmia is sun tolerant with the proper cultural requirements, in fact its bloom should be even better.

I recently, and happy to do so, removed a very large Silver Maple. After the stump was removed I couldn't wait to replant the area. It was insane with the roots. But where there is a will, there is a way.

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ego45
16 years ago
Kalmias doing fairly good in full sun here (with adequate watering, of course), but if look of abelia fits in your design it will do much better there.
My abelia Edward Goucher is not evergreen, though foliage stays till X-mas. It leafing out relatively late (mid-May), but start blooming in June and continue to do so till October.
If you considering Koreanspice Viburnum, you may also want to consider comparable size H.paniculata (almost any cultivar except probably Limelight, which would be better planted in part-sun)) to create late season show since all of the OK shrubs on your list are spring bloomers.

Replacement shrubs after loss of trees

Comments (4)

Iris GW

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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