My father planted A. Americana under a monterey cypress (an evergreen). The tree is 50-60 feet tall and very wide. The tree must be 50+ years old. Clumps of agaves are placed perhaps 6 feet from the trunk on 2 sides of the trunk. So lots of shade. The agaves just grow more slowly there than agaves planted in sunshine. Otherwise the agaves are very healthy. Nature waters the tree and the agaves, not me. I do not think they will flower in this spot but they are a reasonable size and a formidable obstacle to anyone walking in that area (but of course no one needs to walk in that area). I have often wondered why my father planted them there. The blue color and leaf shape is attractive in any case.

Good for you, xanthoria. What a wonderful accomplishment. People in your neighborhood should be building shrines to you.

I love yuccas, but I think some trees would soften it up. I like Palo Verdes in that kind of a landscape, but they are probably too wispy to suit your needs.

My neighbors have something they call an Arizona Cypress that is just wonderful- tall and loose, but full enough for birds to nest in. It does not seem to drop any litter at all, but there is Algerian Ivy under it, so the litter may fall through.

Renee

I think this is definitely a workable combo especially since you're planting everything at the same time. The Agaves aren't going to get significantly shaded out until they are well established, and by then they ought to be able to continue growing just fine. I know of one such planting in Seattle's Madison Park neighborhood - an Agave parryi which is now in almost full shade from surrounding plantings but it still looks great. I'm sure it gets some leaf litter in it but that's not really a problem.

Planting clean trees with modest litter drop is a good idea. Look at Agonis flexuosa, they are clean, not too big, get dense, are drought tolerant once established and have deep, well-behaved roots. Or Lophostemnon confertus isn't too bad either, also fairly well-behaved root system.

I have Agaves near Cercis occidentalis, and they do get a lot of litter in them and in my opinion it ruins their looks. I suppose you could take a leaf-blower and clean them up once in a while.

One thing to consider is if someone gets injured by your Agaves they will sue your homeowners insurance. Aloes might be a better choice, or Agave attenuata, which is not too spikey.

Good luck with your project!

hosenemesis, thank you. It is a labor of love but very rewarding. In fact I just got notified that I won an award from my city's beautification committee for another garden I made for the neighborhood, so I'm feeling proud, and motivated! :)

I am looking into all the trees mentioned. I should have said that the requirements are: up to 20' tall (power lines), evergreen, dense for sound blocking, full sun and can tolerate a hot, dry site with winter rain. And low litter!

They also need to be available in a 24" box ideally, though 15 gallon will work and I need about 22 of them! Wish I had a wholesale license as this is going to be very expensive, but I think it's worth doing right - with a bit of luck I can find someone who might sell them to me for cost, or near that? And if I get a grant, so much the better. I have got nonprofit status through the city's parks trust, so donations are tax deductible.

Here's the list I have compiled so far: any comments on them?

Acacia baileyana
Acacia pendula
Acacia salicina
Callistemon citrinus
Callistemon salignus
Callistemon viminalis
Cercocarpus betuloides
Dodonaea viscosa 'purpurea'
Fremontodendron 'california glory'
Juniperus chinensis
Juniperus chinensis 'torulosa'
Juniperus scopulorum varieties
Leptospermum laevigatum
Melaleuca armillaris
Melaleuca decussata
Melaleuca ericifolia
Melaleuca nesophila
Nerium oleander
Pittosporum phillyraeoides
Prunus ilicifolia
Rhus lancea
Sophora secundiflora

Xanthoria- do you have a web site with photos? I'd love to see it.

I adore oleanders, but I would worry about then getting the blight. I'm still heartbroken over losing mine.

Renee

Yes! here's my blog for the garden I made in San Francisco: http://pennsylvaniagarden.blogspot.com/

And this is the blog for the brand new project with the trees: http://17thandpennsylvania.blogspot.com/

Good to know about oleander blight.... I always thought of them as extremely tough plants but have never grown them - only seen them all over the place on Crete!

My gosh- this is a massive undertaking. You should write a book about it. I just finished Farm City- your projects are even more interesting. You must have quite a talent for motivating people.
Renee

Oh thanks Renee! I guess I am just naive enough to plough onward, not knowing what new challenge is around the corner. This really helps at the beginning of big projects ;)

I am sourcing trees right now - can you suggest a place to buy them? I think I'll need about 20 trees in 24' boxes. Tried E Bay Nursery - not bad so far. I don't have a wholesale license so I'm paying retail which is... eeek! $$$

Annie

Xanthoria, it seems like a local nursery owner should give you the trees wholesale in return for the great publicity. I'm way down here in SoCal- don't have any connections up in your area. Maybe someone else will see your post and have an idea.

I really love the melaleucas with the white bark and white-yellow flowers. I think they look really pretty with blue agaves. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress with this beautification project.
Renee

I wouldn't pay any money for Dodonea viscosa. You can get a seed to 6'-8' in less than 2 years. They reseed pretty agressively. If you limb them up and water them they're nice, but with zero irrigation they're kinda scraggly with areas of dieback.

Add Heteromeles arbutifolia to your list. California native, makes a nice small tree, and tough as nails.

I am sure you should be able to find some wholesaler to give you a good deal. Keep looking! Any local garden clubs in the area? They often have lots of connections and may know of a wholesaler who can help. Also Agaves especially A. attenuata multiply like rabbits, so you may find plenty for free. Try local cactus/succulent clubs for that.

And 24" boxes are not necessarily the best choice--often smaller trees will establish faster.

What a great project! Good luck with it.

Good to know about the scraggly Dodoneas! Can't have scraggle.

Right now Friends of the Urban Forest will do 15 gal trees, delivered and help with install, plus stakes and 18 months of advice, for $75 per tree.

Seems like a good deal?

What does help with install mean? If they will dig the holes and plant them, that's a good deal. 15 gallon trees at the big wholesale nursery here are 45 bucks for most types.
Renee