Hi pngwin21, Welcome to The Seed Exchange. You might want to make your post again on the Discussion side of the forum. The trades are on that side and the (off topic) Conversations are here on the Conversation side. The link to Discussions is found just above the list of threads here on this side. Happy Trading! SueI

I kind of doubt you'll find anyone recommending a Euonymus alatus (the species most commonly referred to as a "burning bush"), since that species is an invasive (environmentally damaging) plant in your state! There are many alternatives. Your state's extension office provides the following recommendations in a published list of invasive alternatives: Euonymus americanus (hearts-a-bustin, American strawberry bush) Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire) Rhus copallina v. latifolia 'Morton' (Prairie Flame shining sumac) Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum) Euonymus atropurpureus (eastern wahoo, sometimes also called burning bush) If any of these interest you, you may want to research their appropriateness for your application (climate, size, soil conditions, etc, etc). Your local extension office might also provide valuable input about alternatives that would work well for your local (your county) conditions.

Burning bush is considered an invasive plant in Wisconsin. Maybe it's time to give something else a try - perhaps the bunnies are trying to tell you something! The following alternatives are suggested for the mid-west: Aronia arbutifolia (Red chokeberry) Brilliant red fall color; red berries Aronia melanocarpa (Black chokeberry) Brilliant red fall color; black berries Fothergilla major (Large fothergilla) White flower clusters; red to orange fall color Fothergilla 'Mt. Airy' and 'Blue Shadow' Abundant white flowers; red to purple fall color Itea virginica (Virginia sweetpire) Bright red fall color; arched branches; fragrant white flower clusters Viburnum prunifolium (Blackhaw) Small white flowers in dense clusters; dark blue berries persist into winter Rhus copallinum (Shining sumac) Brilliant red autumn color; drooping red berry clusters; glossy leaves Euonymus americanus (Strawberry bush) Red capsules open to reveal orange-red berries; green stems in winter Euonymus atropurpureus (Eastern wahoo) Dark purple fall foliage; red fruits are attractive to wildlife Here is a link that might be useful: source of alternatives

Depending on the light conditions, etc., you might do better sticking with the lilies that grow no taller than 3-4' - the taller ones (which can be up to 6-8') tend to lean a bit, and they WILL lean toward the light. Tying them up can work, but they are prone to breaking at the point they are tied, and it's a pain. A number will be willing to bloom in part shade, but in the deepest shade, they won't bloom. If you mostly want the height for the summer and fall/winter months, there are a number of upright-growing grasses, that get to your desired height. You might have to divide them every few years, to keep the widths in bounds. The blades and flower stalks can be left for the winter, and only cut down when the new growth starts in the spring, so there would be only a short period when there would be nothing there. Avoid pampas grass, and a few of the others - the saw-tooth edges of the grass blades can cut bare skin. Since you are willing to do some pruning, either annually, or more often, then the range of possibilities opens up. Just bear in mind that a clipped hedge or individual bush is formal looking, and needs to be shaped with a slight point or roundness to its top, to shed snow, with the sides of the hedge sloping a bit from top to the bottom, so light gets to the lower branches and they stay alive. Non-conifer, or non-evergreen, shrubs growing tall and narrow aren't as easy. Will boxwood be hardy in your area? It's not overly fast growing, but... A tree-form, single trunk amelanchier might do - the spreading out could be kept to the top section. While they have proven to be invasive in some areas, butterfly bushes (Buddleia spp.) can take hard pruning to keep them in shape. Strawberry bush (Euonymus americana) might be too wide, but grows to 5-6', z.5b. Large fothergilla (F. major) might be too wide also, an upright pyramidal shrub to 8', z.5. Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is another possibility, but looks better when left un-pruned, so you would need to pick the right location - grows to an upright 6-8', with a number of cultivars and flower colors to choose from. Hollies will need pruning to keep them narrow, in general, but there are narrow cultivars. One of the deciduous ones might be nice in winter, but you have to have a male for berries, and it may need pruning. (Holiday decorating?) Kerria is another that might need a little pruning to keep to the width - and it can be temperamental, dieing for no good reason over a winter - the double flowered cultivar seems hardier than the single. An apple or crabapple trained to an espalier might be very nice - it is work.... Pyracantha is another that will work very well espaliered - you can train it into many different shapes if so inclined (hearts, circles, squares, diamonds, etc.) - just be aware it has thorns! P. coccinea 'Lalandei' is hardy to z.5b, with red-orange berries. If fireblight is a major problem in your area, then forget the apples or pyracanthas, although some of the crabapples, and some pyracantha hybrids are resistant.... Climbing or rambling roses can be very effective trellised or on a pillar or post - if you pick varieties with colorful hips, they will last until the birds eat them, or go for those with multiple or ever-blooms for summer interest. A tree-form lilac, or any of the lilacs (with some possible trimming needed) might be perfect. Most of the conifers do have narrow cultivars, and some of the taller-growing ones have smaller selections as well - the trick is to find them. Eastern white pine can be sheared as a hedge, but you do HAVE to keep after it. I would stay away from Dwarf Alberta Spruce - they are prone to disease, and after growing for a few years (usually more than 10), they start to look not-so-pretty. But, there are cedars, arborvitae, etc., etc., that have selections that should work. While you are looking for shrubs, cross-posting in the Trees Forum might garner more answers - some people over there don't look over here, and they are VERY knowledgeable about shrubs as well as trees!