Privacy shrub (10-12') zone5a drought tolerant, pretty?
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
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- 9 years ago
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Need help with 60 ft hedge, full sun, drought tolerant
Comments (1)Wax myrtles will get pretty large for 8ft width. Since I'm in zone 7, you'll have to be the judge on what will work in your zone. Oleander comes to mind as a prime candidate. Nerium oleander 'Sealy Pink' is 8'h x 6'w. Pittsosporum tobira 'Variegata' is 8x8. There is a ligustrum sinese "Swift Creek" that is a variegated with a green/grey and yellow color. It's a compact grower 5x5. I have used these for spots of color. I wouldn't plant more than 3 together, then use some dark green to tone it down. There are some crepe myrtles that are medium growers. Lagerstromia Pink Velour Whit II is 12'h x 8'w when mature. Raspberry Sundae is 15x8. Abelia x grandiflora is 8x8. There may be an illicium (anise tree) that works in your area). I don't know if the sunny spot would be too much for michela figo (banana shrub), 10x8. If you could shrubs smaller in height (no screening) Indian Hawthorne -- rhaphiolepis umbellata 'Snow White' and 'Pinkie' are 3x4. That's about all I can think of for now...See MoreDrought tolerant hedge near pool plumbing?
Comments (14)We have a hedge on three sides that I "affectionately" refer to as Hedgezilla that I would love to tear out because it is a BORING, man-made monoculture of a labor-intensive maintenance chore (podocarpus gracillior). While yes, it provides privacy, that's all it does. It appears to offer no wildlife benefits except as a haven for unsavory creatures from time to time. Although the space between the property line block wall and the pool is very narrow, I have recently begun planting a variety of drought-tolerant evergreen trees in front of the hedge with the intention of eventually tearing out the hedge behind them after they get bigger (we're not rich and can't buy big box trees). The goal is a more natural-looking environment (and hopefully, a reduced maintenance headache). I have several acacia stenophylla (shoestring acacia) which provide a lacy, open weeping effect, but like silver sheen, it's not dense--but the good news is, there's no litter from it. I'm mixing the acacias in with a couple of other uprights as contrast and repeating the mix so it doesn't get too jumbled. It's still a work in progress and why I don't want to put in a picture, but I'm pleased with the effect so far. But you might want to consider your style overall in picking what you want to do. While a tightly clipped hedge might lend itself to a contemporary feel, depending on the plant you pick, it can also look very traditional and formal which may not be the look you're after. You might want to look at the some garden books to see what kind of garden style appeals to you, before you commit. Just remember, a hedge will be, above all else, boring. And do yourself a favor, run from the ficus....See MoreNeed help creating drought tolerant yard on a budget in Long Beach, CA
Comments (14)Looking at your inspiration photos, it seems that there are groundcover-like materials that can be grown there. I'm not familiar with what they might be so can't make recommendations. But it looks like a fairly lush look is available if one chooses the right material. Before doing any planting, I'd be considering if there is any possible way to widen the entrance walk, which is considerably undersized. The house would look more upscale with a much wider walk and you could probably eliminate one step in the process, making for an improved entry experience. I'd consider removing all of the raised edging. The beds it creates are much too tightly pinched to the house. A 5' to 6' minimum bed width would be more like it. In addition, the edge itself is so thin that it cheapens the overall look of the property. A masonry bed edge should be 8" wide, or wider, in order to be in scale with a house. If the edging didn't exist, it would be easy to place foundation plants where they should go. I find myself wishing the fence that encloses the back yard didn't come so close to the front entrance. By doing so, it messes up possible planting (the blank space between the windows is asking for a small tree) and generally looks a bit utilitarian so close to the front entrance. It would be nice if the back yard entrance could be framed with an arbor, but I don't know if that's possible with the way the architecture is laid out behind the fence. It would need to be explored. In the illustration I'm showing the types of plants that could go in certain locations. It's not means to be comprehensive. It's a start....See MoreThe right Japanese maple in zone 5a?
Comments (21)I am in northwest suburb of Chicago and love Shin Deshojo and Fireglow. Both would meet your height requirement as mature tree in our zone. They are very different in color. Shin Deshojo has the brightest red (slightly pinkish) color in spring and I have it in my front yard (in container) and received so many compliments from neighbors. In summer it has mixed green and red (new growth), quite nice. Fall color is more a dull red for me. Fireglow is purple red but when sun shines on it, it glows. Very nice. I have both in full sun all day. No sun burns However, I have heard several people in our zone in the facebook group that they lost their Shin Deshojo planted in ground. So I have been keeping mine in pot and winterize in my unheated garage. Fireglow is hardy in my yard, planted in ground in a very exposed, full sun location, and survived the last several winters without any die back. Purpose Ghost is also quite nice, would meet your requirements. and is hardy for our zone based on my own experience planted in ground without any winter protection....See MoreRelated Professionals
Wareham Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · East Patchogue Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fairhope Landscape Contractors · Marlborough Landscape Contractors · St. Louis Landscape Contractors · Welby Landscape Contractors · Merrifield Landscape Contractors · West Chester Window Contractors · Eagle River Window Contractors · Matteson Window Contractors · Cleveland Driveway Installation & Maintenance · Winston-Salem Driveway Installation & Maintenance · Foothill Farms Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Midlothian Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Reading Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures- 9 years ago
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