Narrow, Upright Cultivar Recommendations

15 years ago

Hello Folks -

I need to get your recommendations for a narrow-growing conifer to place on either side of the steps leading up to my front porch in my Zone 7A garden in N.C.

I would have approximately 2'-3' of width to work. Height is of little concern, although if it is rather slower growing skyward, that would be preferred.

I am not looking for any narrow weeping cultivars, but rather densley-growing, uniform, upright cultivars.

If anyone has photos they can post along with their recommendations, that would be awesome.

Many thanks!

PlantMarker

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Comments (14)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
de groots spire.. no time for pix right now ... 3 on each side...

one of mine is 8 feet tall .. foot wide ... grows about a foot per year..

no clue if zone appropriate for you .. thuja something or another.. occ.????

ken
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
Juniperus communis 'Gold Cone' .. or its look like which i cant think of right now

Here is a link that might be useful: link
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bluespruce53
15 years ago
Hi PlantMarker,
I still don't think you can beat Thuja occidentalis 'Holmstrup', I know it's an old cultivar but in my opinion it's still one of the best, green in summer bronze in winter.

{{gwi:641518}}
kaitain4
15 years ago
Thuja occidentalis 'Holmstrup' is absolutely gorgeous, but here in the Southern US it is likely to end up as bag-worm fodder.

Might I suggest Picea pungens 'Iseli Fastigate'. Or, if you have the right exposure, a pair of Picea orientalis 'Skylands' would be stunning by an entry. They stay pretty narrow.

Regards,

K4
tunilla
15 years ago
Hi. I have seen some nice Cupressus glabra selections,if it is silvery blue you're looking for.Not too fast growing,drought resistant and can be clipped.I have no pix to show,but you'll find some on the web. T.
barbaraincalif
15 years ago
I am interested to know how many of us do or do not like the purple to brown color many Thuja and Juniperus take on during the winter. Thinking that with an all conifer garden, the color change is a welcome variation. But for me, in our usual bleak and foggy winter days, I want to see green!

Ken's suggestion of DeGroots Spire sounds good. If located in the sun, and you like yellow conifers, Thuja occ `Malonyana Aurea' would be pretty.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:641516}}
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
with the white of snow... all the green plants can get rather boring ...

perhaps that is why i like the bronzes.. and the purples ... the blues ...

holmstrup might have too much potential.. for a doorway ... it all depends on the space you have ... versus your size demands ... do you literally have only 2 to 3 feet ... ???

ken
kaitain4
15 years ago
I personally love plants that change color in winter. Bronze, purple, chartreuse - bring it on! Of course, I want some that don't change too, so you have the beautiful greens and blues in there at the same time, but I think its nice to have the contrast and the change. I have some succulents that change color quite dramatically, and they actually look better in the winter than in the summer! Go figure..

Regards,
K4
barbaraincalif
15 years ago
might have too much potential...
Very tactful Ken...did you just get back from church?

We recently saw a grouping of three 'Degroot's Spire'. The HUSBAND even liked they way they looked...can't get a better endorsement than that!

I would like to see the picture of your three Ken...thanks.
firefightergardener
15 years ago
I'd add a vote for 'Degroots' Spire'. There is a house on my street that has 4-5 of them in a row and they are mature - 15-20' gorgeous specimens with unusual 'shelfing' towards the tops, they seem to curl about and have great green color.

I think alternating cones of gold and green would also be quite interesting.

Perhaps alternating 'Gold Cone' mentioned above with another upright juniper, Juniperus communis 'Compressa'. Both are relatively moderate growers, and while 'Compressa' as it's name suggests, is likely 'tighter', both should be similar sized over the years.
dcsteg
15 years ago
A columnar tight arrow. So tight can not see through. Can thicken up by pruning. This one I have pruned for a more formal look. 6-8 ft. in 10 years..no more then 18" wide.

Dave
{{gwi:641519}}
Embothrium
15 years ago
On another note if you don't have a geometrically symmetric house facade with a matching formal garden layout in front identical pairs at the door will not go with the rest of the design. Use informal balance instead, something like a large shrub to the right of the door and a small one plus a medium one to the left. Arrangement is balanced by having both sides containing a similarly sized area of plant mass.
plantmarker
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, everyone, for the great suggestions.

bboy, is there anyway that I may contact you?

PlantMarker
mrgpag SW OH Z5/6
15 years ago
not conifers BUT evergreen
Buxus sempervirens Graham Blandy or Dee Runk(preferred by many) would fit into that space well and they should be available locally for you. Do a Google Image search for some good pictures.

Marshall

Narrow, Upright Cultivar Recommendations

Comments (14)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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plantmarker
Original Author

mrgpag SW OH Z5/6

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Narrow, Upright Cultivar Recommendations

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