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Need help finding a shorter, narrow evergreen tree

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi everyone, I live in zone 6b and I have a small front yard, therefore my front garden will be quite small. I would like to put a feature tree in front of my left porch column. (Sorry the photo isn't that great....the area showing grass is pretty much all I have to work with for the garden) I only have 3-4' at the base to work with and the tree can only grow to be about 12' (at the 10 year mark). Our home faces North. Is there any hope in finding something to suit this spot? I'd prefer an evergreen for winter interest but open to any suggestions you may have. Thanks so much

Featured Answer

edlincoln

6 years ago

A Sky Pencil Holly, Fastigate yew, or upright Japanese Plum Yew you can prune t limit the size?

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Comments (7)

Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Spot would be better served by something pyramidal or otherwise non-columnar. A vertical shrub will just repeat the shape of the house column.
User thanked Embothrium
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
z6 is about half the US ... and parts of canada.. can you narrow it down a bit ...

frankly .. i think a tree .. most trees .. will be too vigorous .. unless maybe.. a smaller type Japanese maple.. pruned to remain in proportion ...

looks brand new.. walk around the neighborhood.. and see what others have done ... snap a pic of what you like.. it helps us.. help you ... [the wagons ready.. giddy up...]

that grass is rather useless ... i think.. over the years.. it should probably be all garden ...

is snow removal an issue .... as in.. is that spot used to pile up snow .. if so.. it might limit what can go there ..

though on the north side.. thats an incredibly bright area.. i would not think only in terms of shade plants ...

most size estimates .. are at ten years ... and double at 20 .. so hoping for 12 feet in 10 years.. one would expect 24 feet in 20 years .. or you learn how to prune ...

ken

ps: the dogs ready for the walk around the neighborhood too .. lol ...
User thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Purpose of plant? Aesthetics only? Or do you want shade? What plant shape are you interested in? Upright columnar, conical, umbrella, oval to roundish? Are you willing to maintain by shearing and pruning? Foliated to the ground, or limbed up?

If a holly is OK, I'd consider one of the upright blue hollies such as: Blue Maid or Castle Spire. Blue Maid is the less prickly. They don't grow real tall. Easily sheared (shorn?). Conical form. Fairly hardy. Don't expect red berries unless there's a male around. Robins like to nest in them. 'Steeds Upright' is a Japanese holly. Pretty much a deep green cone.

Ilex 'Liberty' is a handsome and unique holly. Not sure if it's hardy in your region though and it's harder to find.

Viburnum pragense would be good, but would require a lot of shearing for that space perhaps (I can't get a handle on the space from your photo).
User thanked Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
User
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you so much everyone for taking time out of your day to give me your suggestions!! Greatly appreciated :) I live in London Ontario Canada. The tree would be for aesthetics only, not for shade or privacy. I love the look of the Chameacyparis Nootkatensis....something that is tall but has interest...so not just a straight column. I don't mind pruning.
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snowbanana
6 years ago
In London you are a USDA zone 5, not 6b as I once believed years ago.

As far as what to put there, I'd go with Picea abies 'Pendula' , and I'd make it an island and ditch the grass.

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b693
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NHBabs z4b-5a NH
6 years ago
Your photo doesn't really communicate the total width of the space or where the property line is. That will be the confining factor for whatever you plant there. I'd love to see a photo that includes from the property line to the right hand porch column and out to the sidewalk.
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