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Evergreen Near House

13 years ago

Hello, I would like to plant two evergreens - ornamental or that bloom in Springs and/or Summer if possible - near the front of my house. Each will bookend a rather long front facade - there are already shrubs in the area. Each will be a maximum of 6 feet from the house; they can't be any farther than this as the house sits near the street and after 6 feet there is a city sidewalk. So - I need a tree that has deep roots (I think), or that I can be sure won't interfere with the house or foundation at any point. A dwarf species is fine but I would really like a tree with a trunk and canopy (however small), and that is evergreen, and opposed to another shrub. I was wondering if Mountain Laurel might be a good idea? I am new to NY and have a home with a massive front, at least 70' long, that sits close to street; I really need two trees at either end!

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Comments (4)

new2ny
Original Author
13 years ago
A brief follow-up. I have been looking at Mountain Laurel's online and think they may work for my purpose. Any additional feedback would be appreciated but I have two questions. This is my first time living in the Northeast and I don't know a lot about Mountain Laurels, other that what I've read online. I know they are primarily a shrub but can they be cut, or shaped to produce more of a canopy? And does anyone know about their root structure and whether or not it would be okay to plant these 5-6' from the house. Thank you.
victor5
13 years ago
Most Mountain Laurels need shade or semi-shade with highly organic soil that never completely dries out. They are not overly large plants and if there is any chance of snow burying them from the roof or snowplows burying them from the road, I would not consider them. They cannot tolerate road chemicals but have a shallow root system as you have indicated. They are fairly slow growing as well. You could consider a Montgomery Blue Spruce on a standard that would give you the tree appearance. They do not bloom but are beautiful in their own right. There are many Chaemycyperis and some Arborvitae that you could consider. Some of these are yellow in color and add a very colorful appearance to the front of your house. There are other ornamental spruces and pines that could fill the bill as well.
Good Luck
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new2ny
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the information, and recommendations. It's a little difficult finding evergreens for zone 6 that aren't conical, and that's not really the look I was going for. It seems as if Moutain Laurel might be one of the few options that would also be the right size (don't want anything too big given the proximity to the house). I notice your comment about sun, and I've seem some other information along the same lines. However, the space I am looking at gets a lot of sun; I have found enough comments online from those who say their Laurel's are thriving in full sun that I may risk it.
scotjute Z8
13 years ago
Another thought might be holly.

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