zone 5 front yard ISO of conifers
4bubbies
5 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
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tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Advice Needed - Ornamental Tree for Front Yard (zone 5)
Comments (12)I made a really stupid mistake, and I'm very embarrassed to have to post my experience but could use some advice (so please excuse my poor decision). I found a handyman that offered to move the red maple tree in the front yard to the back for the bargain price of $75. The only thing is that the tree had a monsterous root system, and he had to move it with his truck and a rope around the trunk. The bark scratched, which I didn't think was a big deal...and he said he thought it would be ok...until I researched on gardenweb after he left. The tree is very scratched, circling 75-80% of the tree's circumference, so it may take years, but the tree won't make it. I called him back to tell him that the tree would eventually die/break and he felt bad and offered to plant another tree for me. Last week, after my initial posting and reading the feedback, I ended up purchasing an autumn gold ginko (it's not planted yet and is actually still at the nursery). I had every intention of getting a kousa, but I'm just not seeing any that look good in the nurseries (and I've been all over in two counties). Plus I'm finding most are no-name varieties. Plus the branching structure starts out low -- just 14" from the base, so while it's a tree, it's a low branching tree (and I guess I'd prefer a higher branching tree in the front yard). I'd like to try a kousa if I can find the right spot, just not the front yard. Sorry, I'm being particular, but I'm trying to make the right decision that dh will be happy with as well. I realize that the ginko will get 40', but it's such a beautiful tree, so I figured that perhaps I would put that in the front. In lieu of what happened, and as much as I love the ginko, I'm thinking that I should plant the ginko in the back yard where the red maple (the only tree in the backyard) had been planted. I'd also like to get a Blackgum to put in the back yard (maybe next year, or this year if I can find them on sale). One of the local nurseries has a serviceberry tree that is $259 -- a nice tree, but out of the range of what I wanted to spend (I'd love to wait for them to go on sale, but I'm not sure when that will be and if they will still be around). THIS YEAR: I really need to have a tree in the front yard (part of the agreement I made with dh when I told him I was moving the front tree). Should I plant the ginko in the front yard or will I regret it when it gets too large? OR Should I plant the ginko in the back yard and get a smaller tree for the front (as per my original plan, but I just haven't found the right tree for the front in my price range). On a good note, my dh did not say "I told you so" or anything to that effect, but I do feel like I'm in an "I Love Lucy" episode at this point....See MoreNeed help have 1 acre front yard sandy zone 5
Comments (4)If you want a truly maintenance free garden I would suggest that you choose grasses that are REALLY drought tolerent or ..... plant all together groups of those that might require additional water. Miscanthus & Calamagrostis are not the happiest grasses when grown on really sandy soil in really dry years. Once established, pennisetums should do fairly well. Panicums, Little Blue Stem & a few others will actually excel in a location like you describe! Lavender would definitely be a good companion plant. You might also consider Perovskia and any of the Amsonias. I LOVE the kind of landscaping that you are contemplating - for ideas & pictures you should try & find a book called Bold & Romantic Gardens by American landscapers, Ohme & VanSweden. They do some fantastic things with grasses & mass planting. Another garden to look at is the John W. Nason Garden at Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania (the picture is from thier web site.) In the attached link check out the Darien garden & the Kendale Farm garden. Here is a link that might be useful: Ohme & vanSweden Garden Design...See MoreLandscaping front yard, zone 5. HELP!!!! :)
Comments (16)If you're going to retain the gravel as the driveway material, then it would be good to install a band of something rigid to separate it from the turf. Since the space is large and wide open, it would look better to have a fairly bold edge to the gravel. I would suggest using a band of concrete that is about 15" wide (like a skinny walkway) at both the inside and outside edges. It should be perfectly circular, not faceted or irregular (so forming would be important) and nicely finished. It should sit a couple inches higher than the gravel, but flush with the lawn grade (you could add topsoil to make that happen.) You're not going to plant within 3' of house wall so lack of light there is immaterial. As far as what could be planted where I show blue flowers ... I envisioned it as a large perennial mass, 12" to 18" height (though bloom could stick up higher.) A color range of hybrid daylilies could be one solution. Possibly a shorter Veronica, if you can find such. Or Ajuga. Explore what grows there that would qualify. Maybe someone else will come up with a suggestion. Be practical and find something that will GROW well and is AVAILABLE. (Find a sunny place in your yard to grow some Russian sage as it is so pretty.)...See MoreNeed small(er) narrow conifer in Zone 5 maybe zone 6
Comments (4)would be under the eave, so a part shade/shade situation. Would need to either grow to be no more than 3 ft. wide and preferably 12' tall. ==>> foundation plantings are planted to hide the foundation .. not on the foundation ... in my world.. if you are planting under an eave ... you are TOO CLOSE to the foundation .... conifers are trees.. they NEVER STOP GROWING .. ever ... all of them will eventually hit the eave how about a pic.. maybe its much different than what i am thinking ... though west coast MI is basically z6 ... i would not push it long run ... and go with a steady z5 plant... ken...See More
4bubbies
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago@TJ
hello neighbor!
I never thought of a gold cascading plant. Good point.
Yes, those wires go to that pole. There use to be approx 60ft Colorado spruce there on that side that we took down because it was dead inside, declining, caused trouble with the wires and over growing to the walk way. I do agree we need something there again for the sake of every view point. Everything is so flat now, and there are all kind of cable, phone, electric wires merging right at the part of the house. Just trying to decide on what type. Something like what you suggested, or something branchy and airy.Here is a photo with the tree before it was taken down.
Being from the same area, how do you find the disease and pest issues with the confiers to be? I'm a bit paranoid about that with the, especially with the clay soil. We also have those black walnuts trees that seem to cause some people trouble. Ours is in the back yard at least. Maybe I'm worried for nothing. Maybe just gun shy view because of the images of the neglected junipers and such that look so sickly or cumbersome.
4bubbies
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
This was one of the things suggested by member dig doug designs. I like the taller elements and how it softens all the hardscape. Just trying to figure out how a wisconsin version might be executed. (confiers included). I wouldn't be opposed to putting something taller on the inner corner of the bottom tier to take the place of the height the grass brings, but I feel like its a tough spot so maybe tufts of grass is best. IDK
indianagardengirl
5 years agoindianagardengirl
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agotsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoplantkiller_il_5
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago4bubbies
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoplantkiller_il_5
5 years ago4bubbies
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
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