Mixed evergreen border - need creative ideas!
dorotamon
10 years ago
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bobarian68
10 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Need more privacy from my mixed border
Comments (12)I totally agree with MBright - I was going to suggest mock orange, lilac, pheasantberry (leycesteria), ninebark (physocarpus), elderberries (sambucus)... and other tall arching but deciduous shrubs. If you totally want evergreen I'd also suggest mixing in some of the tall coniferous varieties - upright junipers, thujas, or maybe hemlocks, and others of the types used for hedging. My preference is for a mixed, layered approach rather than a hedge, but if a hedge works for you, why not use that? For seasonal coverage, don't discount the value of tall perennials. If you can grow things like delphiniums, cimicifugas (name change to actea), Kiregeshoma koreana, thalictrums, and others that are escaping me at the moment, they can provide some screening too. Finally, regarding sharp holly leaves... if that's a busy street, you probably don't want the kids cavorting around those bushes anyhow, and sharp leaves would give you an additional reason to dissuade them. KarinL...See MoreNeed your creative ideas for Florida landscaping.
Comments (10)That photo really helps put things in context. In my original reply, I was thinking of the areca palms going along the sides of the pool cage, but that's not a good idea now that I see the layout. I would be more inclined to develop the grass area out toward the corners of your lot into some deep beds of layered tropicals to frame your view. So imagine you are your house facing the water. Extend your arms in front of you, palms down, fingers slightly spread, now bend your elbows. Your arms represent the positoning of the beds embracing some lawn and the pool. Make sense? (Where DO I come up with these descriptions?!?) Where your hands are, you could plant groups of palms, some that will grow tall (about where your wrists are), some that will stay shorter, and then fill in with some colorful foliage or flowering plants that don't get more than waist high, and others that stay below knee height. Edge the beds with ophiopogon japonicum/mondo grass for a neat look. (The dwarf species can be planted in a grid pattern if you like a modern architectural look.) Put some very tall-growing palms along the sides of the house to complete the look, maybe archontophoenix cunninghamiana/king palms, chambeyronea macrocarpas, or even roystonea regia/Cuban royals if you have room (and the heavy fronds won't be falling on cars or people). You could still use the areca palms at the corners of the house where they won't obstruct your view, or along the right-hand side of the pool cage in the photo. All the named plants will thrive in zone 10, uh, but you don't show your zone. If you are zone 9b, some of these are still ok. Bear in mind, I live in California, which is nothing like Florida, so it would be a VERY good idea to get advice from a local landscaper as to the plants. Your house and garden can easily be transformed into a lush resort-like environment, and I would hope the lushness of the palms and plants would distract from the pool cage. Silly question -- why is the pool in a cage? I don't see that done here. Just curious....See MoreMixing Perennials with Evergreens Need Help
Comments (19)Pondy: I know, so very much to think about. I thought about a structure, the only thing I could come up with was one of those little windmills. A bench will be sitting in the bed in late fall, winter and very early spring before the flowers arrive. I am putting a pond in the bed that is in front of my deck so thanks for the grasses suggestion!! Gracie01: So sorry but I wanted to find something evergreen, but those suggestions are great!! Kailleanm: Graham Blandy is an excellent choice, but not hardy here. I just finally went ahead and decided to plant an Thuja Emerald Green. Only gets 10-15' tall and can be topped and pruned lightly since I do not want it to get quite that tall. Everyone here is so very great!! I appreciate all the help :) The flower design is killing me though. I purchased some black and blue Salvia (such a deep color, but a cool dark blue) for the hummers and don't know how to work it into the garden with the plants I already have on hand. I know that blues were mentioned to put with my colors. But it just to me would not be appealing next to my Raspberry Wine Bee Balm and Purple Magnus & White Swan Coneflowers. I think it would go well with the John Clayton (Yellow) Honeysuckle I have though. I wish I had more experience will all of this or if I could just find that perfect picture somewhere in a book, magazine..........See MoreI need some creative ideas
Comments (0)I'd like to create two ten foot swooping borders of ferns. I'm in know way proficient in ferns...So If anyone has any ideas as to how to pattern which different ferns that would need to be hardy to zone 7... perferably 6 though since I like to shortin by one.. I'm psycho...I'm interested in a ferns that would cover large area...that would wave together well... regardless of being picky aobut the actual fern cultivar... but I'm always down for something colorful and maybe even so that its out of place...I'm not picky on height...the taller the better though...and I've got plenty of space so it can feather out as wide as it wants... These borders are gonna be the wall like border on two sides of my new shade garden.. the other two are my house and a fence mostly disquised by a stone structure and random stones. And some tall woodland perennials soon....I'm leaving a 3 foot space between each of the walls for a stone pathway to lead through... I've got this all planned out and now I just need help finding which ferns to plant =)...See Morealley_cat_gw_7b
10 years agowannabegardnr
10 years agodorotamon
10 years agodorotamon
10 years agoSara Malone Zone 9b
10 years agodorotamon
10 years agoSara Malone Zone 9b
10 years agodorotamon
10 years agoSara Malone Zone 9b
10 years agowhaas_5a
10 years agodorotamon
10 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years agoSara Malone Zone 9b
10 years agomikebotann
10 years agosc77 (6b MA)
10 years agooutback63 Dennison
10 years agolaceyvail 6A, WV
10 years ago
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Sara Malone Zone 9b