skip to main content

Florida Gardening

large shrub/small tree close to house?

15 years ago

OK, yet another recommendation request:

I am looking for a plant to shade our outside air conditioning unit so as to save on energy costs. Which means that I need a rather large evergreen plant... a big shrub or a small tree. I'd like it to be somewhat fast-growing, but it can't have invasive, concrete-lifting roots because it will be so close to the house. It would be nice if it had some flower/showiness, but it CAN'T have much in the way of litter because of the proximity to the AC. This area gets full sun all afternoon.

Thanks guys!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

naplesgardener
15 years ago
you might consider areca palm. it is dense if planted closely together and the litter is limited to the occasional palm frond.
I cut ours down because they were planted too close too the lanai but I have seen them used as shade producers.
fawnridge (Ricky)
15 years ago
While Arecas are good palms for shade, the seeds and dead fronds are bit too much maintenance for an A/C unit.

I would plant a large shrub or two - Cocoplum, Pinwheel Jasmine, Ixora, for example.
Related Discussions
small tree or large shrub for corner of house
Q
Comments (8)
Depends on what you want. I happen to LOVE Amelanchier, but it is no way as showy with the flower display of the crepe/crape? myrtle. On the other hand, Amelanchier looks great in the fall and has cool berries that attract birds, so maybe a little more "3 season" interest. In my experience, the best thing to do when trying to decide about plant selection is to think about the plant and how it will perform all year around, so take into account not only it's showy features but its winter silhouette, form, maintenance, etc. I love both Amelanchier and Crape Myrtle. The myrtle has a long, showy bloom season but is ho hum the rest of the time. Amelanchier is nice most of the time, nothing spectacular at any particular time, but nice overall. To me the virbirnum are a total bore in the winter and when not in bloom or berry, but nice when in bloom and again in fall with foliage and berries. So it depends on how this plant will fit in with whatever else is going on in your garden.
...See More
Large shrub/small tree, pink buds & white blossoms
Q
Comments (2)
Could it be Escallonia bifida? Just swinging wildly here, but I'm sure someone will recognize this one.
...See More
Evergreen small trees/large shrubs good in pots?
Q
Comments (1)
Ornamental grass could work for the full sun area except for the short time after you trim it back. There"s a pic of my ornamental grass posted on a recent thread..one of mine I think. I posted it for Tree. Pots are problematic for me...I am never obsessive enough with the watering.
...See More
large shrubs/small trees for very little sun
Q
Comments (2)
Might want to consider 'Hartlage Wine' Sweetbush (Calycanthus x raulstonii' Hartlage Wine)-- Low maintenance/high impact! Ã¢ÂÂ¢Upright broadleaf deciduous shrub, 8' tall to almost 8' wide, may reach 15' ÃÂ 10'; Ã¢ÂÂ¢Flowers maroon to wine-colored, slight fragrance, about 3" wide, with off-white tipped stamens; Ã¢ÂÂ¢Bloom period from spring through early summer; Ã¢ÂÂ¢Flowers being sterile, the plant does not produce seed; Ã¢ÂÂ¢Leaves glossy, bright green, opposite, simple, 4 1/2" to 7" long; Ã¢ÂÂ¢Sun, part shade, shade; Ã¢ÂÂ¢Hardy to USDA Zone 5 to 6 Ã¢ÂÂ¢fragrant flowers; Ã¢ÂÂ¢appealing foliage; Ã¢ÂÂ¢wide-ranging adaptability; Ã¢ÂÂ¢shade tolerance, and Ã¢ÂÂ¢first-rate pest resistance. What's not to love??!! This is a beautiful shrub (persistent bloomer) that does well in shade or part shade. The only way it could be better is if it was evergreen (LOL)
...See More
manila
15 years ago
I planted Geiger Tree, grows very fast but im not sure if its good or not planting it very close to the house.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES How to Avoid Overcrowded, Overpruned Shrubs

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Go for a more natural look that’s easier and less expensive to maintain by giving your plants the right amount of growing room

PLANTING IDEAS 5 Reasons to Bring Shrubs Into the Flower Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Mix up the garden experience and let the flowers and shrubs play together

TREES How to Buy Healthy Trees and Shrubs

By Falon Land Studio LLC

A healthy young plant with a strong form is more likely to do well in your yard. Here’s what to look for at the nursery

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Drought-Tolerant Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun and Reflected Heat

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Got a hot spot in your garden where plants often die? Try these tough shrubs that add beauty while shrugging off the heat

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Standout Native Shrubs and Small Palms for Southern Gardens

By Falon Land Studio LLC

These hardworking plants serve a variety of purposes, such as screening views and attracting native wildlife

GARDENING GUIDES Tidy Up Sprawling Native Shrubs With These Pruning Tips

By Oakley Gardens

Sound horticultural pruning methods work for native and nonnative plants alike

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Native Shrubs for Year-Round Bird Feeding

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It’s not just about berries. These plants provide insects for birds and seasonal interest for gardeners

FALL GARDENING 9 Deer-Resistant Flowering Shrubs to Plant This Fall

These exquisite shrubs will attract your attention but won’t tempt the deer that roam your neighborhood at night

GARDENING GUIDES How to Prune Your Flowering Shrubs for the Best Blooms

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Less is often more when it comes to properly pruning flowering shrubs. Here’s what to do and why

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Deer-Resistant Elegant Evergreen Shrubs to Plant This Fall

Who knew that such beautiful shrubs could be deer-resistant?

Sponsored

Sotheby Floors, Inc.

1 Review

One-Stop-Shop for All of Your Floor Coverings Needs in Virginia

More Discussions

Which of your plants didn't perform well this year?

4

Will it or won't it freeze? Why yes, it definitely will!

11

My New Florida Friendly Yard

17

Got tired of decluttering the house, so worked on the courtyard

2

Pond plant advice

5