most conifers are full sun ...

even the ones that claim shade tolerance need some sun ...

if the invasive weed known as BBush does not grow properly. I doubt much else will ...

can you not prune through shade causing plants?

ken

Tsuga chinensis
Tsuga diversifolia
Cephlotaxus harringtonia
Taxus cuspidata 'Capitata'
Buxus sempervirens

Maybe rhododendron as well

Ken, The Burning Bushes are pretty happy, cut them back 2/3 and they grew back a foot in a season. They just don't turn red. Redoing the whole bed, 30 x 12 and thinking of alternatives. Would love something evergreen. Also, the shade is caused by the garage/house wall, not other plants.

American Holly (Ilex Opaca) is evergreen and shade tolerant, but not terribly tall.
Eastern Hemlock is shade tolerant and can get tall, but is prone to disease.

This post was edited by edlincoln on Mon, Feb 2, 15 at 10:14

How tall is tall, in this instance? It sounds like you aren't talking about that big of a plant, as far as it goes.

This post was edited by bboy on Sun, Feb 1, 15 at 19:15

Sorry, the title is misleading. You are right, not that tall, more of a pyramid or column shape next to 1 story house. Here is a picture (not the best but shows you the location) The whole bed is 12 x 30 (the area under the window is 9.5 ft wide).

I did ask for advise in the landscape forum and someone suggested I ask for advise here so I am. Why the bad attitude to me? I am gathering advise and suggestions for the spring. I do have a nice house, I do not have the 5 grand for the renovations you suggested and apparently that has insulted you. You were very critical on the other forum and even more so here and I don't know why. I just asked a question which is what I thought forums were for.

This post was edited by kcblu on Mon, Feb 2, 15 at 1:10

Ken, you had suggested asking questions here on the conifer forum.

This post was edited by kcblu on Mon, Feb 2, 15 at 1:06

I think it would have been nice if you had linked to your post in the landscape forum. I put a lot of effort into helping you with suggestions and wouldn't have repeated my recommendations here, if I knew it was the same poster.

I've suggested nearly every evergreen option between the two posts. Help us out, what are you looking for that hasn't already been suggested?

Here is a link that might be useful: Original Post in Landscape forum

SC77 I actually loved your suggestions! I don't post much and wasn't aware I should do that. I also loved the helpful suggestions that I got and plan to use them. I was looking for some specific suggestions for an evergreen in that corner that gets no direct sun is all. The previous post probably upset me more than it should. I'm just trying to learn and do the best I can.
I had not thought of a rhododendron and kind of like that idea. What do you think of the reblooming rhododendrons?

SC77 You also suggested I could cut the yews way back. When would be the ideal time to do that? Before spring growth or after. I would think before but as I said, I don't know a lot and am looking for help.

Ken and others are right, this spot looks like normal conifers would do fine in terms of shade tolerance. I've seen white pine and Norway Spruce grow happily under similar circumstances. Are you looking for something you can fit in the right angle formed by the walkway? Space would be your major concern. Also, any large conifer would block one of your front windows.

I'm liking a variety of holly that takes on a tree form even more for this spot. If you trim most conical conifers they look stupid, but holly takes well to trimming, so you can fit it in better. If you decide you don't like having your window blocked, you can probably limb it up. It's also pretty shade tolerant (in case we don't understand the situation and there is more shade then one would think from the picture.)
Why do you want an evergreen there, anyway? A nice deciduous tree would block the wIndow less. Perhaps flowering dogwood?

Remember, you don't have to plant trees just in a narrow band around the house. You can plant things in the vast green expanse of your lawn, and that might be a better move, in the long run. Only drawback is it makes mowing the lawn harder.

Also, remember to start your landscaping with the slow growing trees. They will take years to grow. The small shrubs and perennials don't take as long to grow, and you will probably rip them out and replace them a few times over the years.

What are you trying to achieve? Decoration? Shade? Block the north wind? Block your view of the neighbor's coal mine? Attract wildlife? Be Earth-friendly? Reduce heating and cooling costs? What's the soil like?

This post was edited by edlincoln on Mon, Feb 2, 15 at 11:38

The bushes there I'm taking out and I simply want an attractive front entryway. Its an open pallet. I don't want to block the window much so something narrow there would be good. I like the Holly idea.

I am so sorry to have been so upsetting. I don't understand the shade thing, so I was asking is all. Thought I could be gathering ideas and then make my plan. My funds are limited and I'm too old and sick to go digging up my whole yard. Maybe I will put a dogwood out there. I really wish I could! But I'm not just looking for a $50 solution, just some kind advise, Thank you.

You say you live in the USA. Where and what zone do you fall in,? I am not seeing this as a shade area.

Also the length and width of the area between the sidewalk..front entry and garage. That area needs a nice focal point conifer. With that established then you can build the rest of your landscape area around it.

I am thinking Picea pungens 'Glauca Pendula' for that area provided space available. It grows as a weeper so that should help space constraints. Also staking to get it to grow vertical is necessary. Not rocket science.

This one 15 plus years old.
{{gwi:641358}}

DAVE

Hi Dave, I'm your neighbor, Lees Summit :) Most of the bed gets some afternoon/evening sun but because of the angle that corner gets no direct sun ever. But I guess that it still perhaps gets enough reflected light that many plants would survive. Am I getting it?

That is a lovely weeping evergreen. You have a gorgeous property.

It's not actually any harder to put a plant in your lawn 30 feet from your house then it is to put it in a border around your house. It's probably easier.

If it really is shaded there, Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) and hemlock are supposedly pretty shade tolerant. Very picky about soil conditions and humidity, so we'd really need more information on your area.

I'm not sure a conifer is actually the way to go. A deciduous tree with a branching habit would eventually grow above the window and spread it's branches out. You could limb it up, then you'd only have the trunk blocking the view.

Thanks edlincoln. I'm in zone 5 (newer maps say 6), kansas city area. Hot in the summer and often very humid. The soil I think is pretty good, we added topsoil and use mulch. Previous owner filled the bed with rubber mulch and we have removed all of it best we can (actually I sold it and they came and dug it out for a playground :)

I am very appreciative of all suggestions. The reason I like the evergreens is because I dislike a bed full of bare branches in the winter and the confirs are so pretty and green when everything else is dull brown. A mixture of shrubs with winter interest and conifers is great. So perhaps a deciduous tree, low growing evergreens and flowering shrubs,

The idea of an open canopy tree in the lawn is growing on me but planting one tree isn't what I was referring to. Ken suggested that I dig the beds out on the left to the front of the sidewalk all the way over to the left of the house so as to balance the architecture and 10 feet out from the sidewalk in front of the garage. I had NOT posted pictures of my house prior to November but he seems to think I had. He doesn't think I think so but do I think if I could do all that it would be wonderful. (his above comment "good luck .... really!!!!") I can't, at least not right now. I am not rejecting it because I don't agree. We live on a very tight budget and have physical limitations, but you have to start somewhere. We will be enlarging that front area on the other side as well, just not to that extent, not right now.

And then there is the sorry looking blue globe spruce on the left. There will need to be tie in from one side to the other and I did get good ideas on the landscape forum.

I am sorry again, I seem to have caused much agitation and frankly don't know why.

Here is a link that might be useful: Original post in Lanscape forum (more pics)

Hi Kcblu, How fun, you get to select and peruse plants! I've got a couple bare spots in front of our house following last winter, we lost a couple of mature yews. I'm considering Golden Dutchess Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Monkinn'),shade tolerant and size manageable. Let us know how it turns out, you have a really pretty place.

Sara

ps I have ordered (and am excited to plant) Picea pungens 'Glauca Pendula' after seeing pics of Daves on a different thread. That tree rocks!

Here is a link that might be useful: Golden Dutchess Eastern Hemlock

Thank you sarafungal. This week I actually put that Golden Dutchess Eastern Hemlock in my Pinterest folder for that or some other area. :)

And that Picea pungens is an amazing plant. I Googled it and the images are incredible.

Yeah, pinterest is awesome, it helps me organize my ideas and plan orders. It's definitely an enabler ;) Cheers,

Sara

Eastern Hemlock is not a good fit for hot KC summer weather.

They will burn up.

Abies a definite no. A alpine conifer that needs to cool off at night. The high humidity and temps in KC don't permit that.

Dave

This post was edited by Davesconifers on Sat, Feb 7, 15 at 16:47

kcblu,

First let me disclaim that I have no formal education in architecture, or horticulture. I apologize for any typos, or mistakes on the botanical names.

Some friendly tips that us help you to consider for the future. When describing the area be detailed and concise. The type of shade is very important to determining the right type of plant. A bed that is located under or near a large shade tree is very different from being shaded by a tall building. The direction, or side of the house is also very important. Your soil type is crucial (topsoil, clay, sandy etc). Most importantly, what are your goals/preferences/wants. For example "I don't like gold color, I want something narrow with a max height of 6-7', I want it to be evergreen.

In my experience I usually try keep people that are not active gardeners away from what I consider sensitive plants like rhododendron, holly and hemlock. Depending on your environment, many of these acid loving plants are picky about their soil, and exposure, and you don't seem like the type of person that wants plants that need a lot of attention to establish, and survive.

As the bed exists I think the picea pungens 'glauca pendula' was a great suggestion for its durability, and slow growth. See also a named variety called 'the blues.' 'Glauca pendula' can sometimes have a more contorted structure (which many like myself enjoy for character that is unique to each plant) where 'the blues' has a stronger weeping habit and will remain more slender.

Picea abies 'pendula' (see also 'frohburg' 'formanek' etc). Very similar plant but dark green.

Options are endless as mentioned above. Myself I would plant chamaecyparis 'green arrow', but you might not want that kind of height.

Try not to be overwhelmed by the project. When designing, I often want the customer to let me start with a blank slate, but as a homeowner, I understand budgets. Focus on one small project at a time that you can afford, and can physically achieve.

I have to agree that removing the deciduous foundation plants, and planting green velvet boxwood in an arch, or L shape 5-6 feet from the house with a deciduous tree in the remaining open area is a viable option as well. You could go low with something like acer dissectum 'tamukeyama' (the best red weeping / cascading japanese maple in my opinion). Or something that could be maintained with an open / airy structure like cornus kousa, acer japonicum acontifolium / vitifolium, for color acer palmatum bloodgood / emperor one. Fagus s. tricolor / roseo marginata could work short term, but despite their slow growth may be problematic post 10-15 years. See also acer palmatum ryusen (can be staked to any height), and acer palmatum 'green cascade'. I like the idea of liquidambar 'slender silhouette, but you may not like that much height, and you would need some size elsewhere to balance the look. Tall and linear can really help with an entrance like yours.

Local garden centers may offer free or affordable design services that can help you get a plan together that you can pick away at as funds become available. Please be courteous though, and do not abuse their services by shopping their prices at competitors if you like their design ideas.

Most of all remember that this should be about having fun, and being proud of the end result.

I have to apologize, after reading all of the posts, I should have gone back to your original post before I began. You can ignore some of what I said in the beginning.

Reid, Thanks for the great ideas. When I get some time I will look at every suggestion :) I do appreciate all the suggestions. I'm a visual type person so the descriptions really help me "see" the possibilities.

Yes: Purple tricolor beech produces a tall tree in time.

" Fagus s. tricolor / roseo marginata could work short term, but despite their slow growth may be problematic post 10-15 years"

In the KC area they need to be planted under the canopy of a larger tree. If not they will burn quickly. Also color will not hold and fade quickly.

Dave

Looks like you're well on your way to seek some nice conifers.

This post was edited by whaas on Mon, Feb 9, 15 at 9:33

For sure you can grow whatever you want in there. Most forms of weepers will work well there without blocking the front of the house. I definitely would not plant a flowering shrub or deciduous tree. To many beautiful conifers that show case color in many tones. Personally I prefer the pungens cultivars or Picea glauca and Picea omorika with their blue/green foliage.

Another one I like. Picea glauca 'Pendula' 4 ft. wide 12 ft. tall. Very formal and symmetrical. 15 + years old.

If your interested I can steer you to a nursery in O.P. Kansas that has unbelievable selection of conifers to choose from this spring.

Dave

This post was edited by Davesconifers on Sun, Feb 8, 15 at 21:36

Dave, That would be great. Would love to know where you recommend to go.

kcblu...Family Tree Nursery. 84th $ Farly Overland Park KS. I know the buyer there for all nursery stock He is a conifer crazy guy. I buy most of my conifers from him.