Trees or shrubs to fill out very shady wooded area
Alexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b
6 years ago
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Comments (8)
Christopher CNC
6 years ago
edlincoln
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Shrub suggestion for shady area
Comments (2)Common Witch Hazel shrub (I believe it's technically a shrub that can be grown into a tree form). Aromatic, and leaves turn a nice yellow in the fall. Web shows that it tends to grow taller in sunny areas, but nursery informed me they perform well in shade, and well suited for our zone. I believe my neighbor has one of these as well, planted in full shade, a nice dense attractive shrub. I would have gotten one for myself except that this is the copy-cat neighbor, so I'll lean towards anything they DON'T have. LOL...See MoreBoston Area: Need a shrub for shady area
Comments (4)HOw about a hydrangea? In your zone, you should have plenty of cultivers to pick from, so you should be able to find a bloom color that will work with the roses. Although a lot of the hydrangeas will get larger than 4', they can be pruned to keep them to size....See MoreHELP I have 12 Thuja w/ very bare areas Will prunning fill itout?
Comments (2)'Green Giants' are a hybrid form of arborvitae noted for fast growth. They are rapidly becoming a viable substitute for Leyland cypress, which tends to be short-lived and plagued with a variety of problems. GG's are not all that fastigiate, having a growth habit that more resembles a Leyland than a typical arborvitae - expected size at maturity could be as much as 50-60 feet with a spread of 10-15'. Form is conical (like a Christmas tree) rather than columnar or fastigiate. 10 y.o. specimens at my nursery are pushing 20' tall with a 8' spread. Once established, annual growth is reputed to be 3-5', which the nursery trees (planted) seem to be achieving easily. The parent of this plant is Thuja plicata, or western red cedar and this tree will easily hit 60-80' in its lifetime with a spread that can get as wide as 35' or more, depending on trunk structure. While you can hedge them at a desired height, this will take a great deal of maintenance to maintain. Hedging is the only reason to be cutting back the leader(s) or the topmost growth. If you want height, leave the top alone and gently shear back the side shoots/foliage. This will accomplish a similar result as with the shearing of Christmas trees - a somewhat narrower form but with dense side branching and an appearance of fullness. Young GG's do present a lanky, sparse appearance, much like young Leylands do. Maturity will help them to fill in and become more "tree-like"....See MoreChild friendlybush or shrub in shady area?
Comments (9)I would be concerned that a plant that attracts butterflies is also going to attract bees and wasps in all likelihood. So you may want to stay away from those. How about a clumping bamboo (foliage is soft, no flowering); a thornless rose; camellias (bloom in winter); blueberries (pretty shrubs that produce a wonderful fruit and bloom too early for most bees-plant two different cultivars for pollination and plant in almost pure peat-some maintenance with acid fertilizer but not much, and they turn a beautiful red in fall and for DD you've got purple fruit!). Not sure about how much sun you will have there, tho. You could also turn it into a veggie experience by planting asparagus, if you have enuff sun; may take a couple years to get estaablished, but after that you have that wonderful airy foliage that is so beautiful and soft. Just a thought or two. Susan...See MoreAlexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b
6 years ago
whaas_5a
6 years agoAlexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Under the canopy. Just anything that will grow to fill it out and look sort of natural.
PROAlexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b thanked Dig Doug's Designs- PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoAdditional plantings using: Arnold's Promise Witch Hazel, Neon Flash Sprea, Fothergilla, Viburnum Trilobum, Baby Blue False Cypress, Carolina Allspice & Calicarpa Beauty Berry:
Alexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b thanked Dig Doug's Designs
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