I grew up in Michigan in a home surrounded by eight two-story white pines, four giant trees on either side within ten feet of the foundation. Lovely memories!

sounds lovely. the tree that we plant would be between 4-6 feet from the foundation.

If you want something that's got that Christmas tree look, I suggest you look at pinus mugo 'Tannenbaum'.

With a planting intended that close to the house, you will want something very fastigiate or columnar (in other words, narrow!). What sort of height are you looking for?

Any chance of a pic of the area and where in Michigan are you?

tj

yes, gardengal. thats what i was kinda thinking. a pine isn't my first choice but my husband suggested it and i'm trying to wrap my head around it. we are getting a new roof so we thought we could update the landscaping and lighting too.

4-6' is much too close for a pine. You need an entirely different kind of tree.

Various forms of arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) could work. Some stay only 3-4' wide. If you wanted something smaller and of a more pronounced 'Christmas tree' shape, a dwarf Alberta spruce.

How about Picea glauca pendula? Tall, stays narrow so can go close to the house, and also funky yet attractive :-)

just to make sure.... you only want a pine???

many peeps call all conifers 'pines' ... can we branch out a bit?

how much total space do you have on the side of the house ... you say 4 to 6 feet from the foundation .. but in some parts of suburbia.... the total space might only be 10 or 12 feet?? .. hence the pic request ...

MI is a bit diverse ... how about big city name

ken

How much sun will this spot receive? Is it a sunny place or will it be shaded all day, like on the north side of a house with more than one story?

Thanks for all the feedback. Here are the pictures. This is south facing and we get lots of sun. Yes, conifers are good too. Honestly, I really wanted some big white hydrangeas but my husband suggested the "pine" looking tree. I guess i would like something with height to balance out the 2 story.

Have any of you tried the mini annabelle hydrangeas? I think they are called invinciball?!

Also, are there any good landscape apps that help with landscape design. Im a very visual person and its hard for me to picture. I like to see versions of my idea :)

you dont have space between the house for a real pine tree ...

tell hubby the grass is his realm.. and the plantings are yours ... and plant WHAT YOU WANT ... lol ... unless he wants to take on all responsibility for the gardens ..

i have no clue what he means when he says : suggested the "pine" looking tree. .. and truly.. that is the problem with you finding a undefined plant ...

tell him you want a mecedes looking car next time.. lets see what he comes home with ... lol ...

where are you ??... west MI is different from east MI ... and its all way different than the UP.. so narrow it down for us ... though im sure that isnt a pic of suburbia in marquette .. lol ..

ken

ps: i would bet my shiny penny ... though you asked his opinion ... and he graciously provided one .... that he doesnt really give a flying leap about what you plant.. so go for it ....

pps: also.. if you give a big city location.. we might be able to send you to a good local source of options ...

There is no way a pine tree -- any pine -- is the right tree for that bed. And the bed is too small for nearly any tree, even if it is made of a large shrub. I would revamp the bed lines, enlarging it. You might consider an Amelanchier, a lilac or something about that size ... or a taller tree that leans narrow.

If you want to enhance the overall look of your home, you need to greatly expand the walk to the front porch. The existing walk is a 1950s camper walk.

The Japanese maple shrub is going to eat too much window space over time. Where I show a purple shrub would be a better place for it. Then it could get as big as it wants. And some low growing, flowering perennials would be a better plant for below the windows ... as in a flower box effect but where they are planted in the ground. Simplify the color plantings flanking the stoop. Too many little things don't read as strength, but busy--ness.

Interjecting here only because I dislike anyone using absolute statements :-) There are many pines that would fit in this area, as well as scores of other conifers. But they will all be small, dwarf selections that are unlikely to provide much of that 'Christmas tree' look or offer the height balance you think you would like.

I do think the area would be enhanced by enlarging the planting bed....as well as the walkway. And enlarging would allow greater flexibility for including something with more height, like a tree form hydrangea. But at a maximum height of somewhere shy of 12', it is not going to provide that much height balance with the structure.

Invincibelle® is a breeders' series of Hydrangea arborescens that come in a range of sizes. There are several dwarf forms including Wee White, Limetta and Mini Mauvette.

Pinus strobus 'Stowe Pillar' is a fastigiate white pine that would fit that location nicely and because it is a narrow, mostly vertical grower, it would not outgrow its location for a very long time.

https://www.singtree.com/plants/details/stowe-pillar

There are actually many pines that would fit that location that are either fastigiate, dwarf, or strict weepers. Pciadopitys verticillata 'Joe Kozey', Pinus sylvestris 'Spaan's Slow column' , Pinus sylvestris 'Green Penguin' , Pinus thunbergii 'Koto Buki' , Pinus strobus 'Angel Falls' to name a few. There are lots. =)

Oops, cross out the 'Koto Buki'. Michigan is too cold for thunbergii. I think you could grow Pinus parviflora 'Aoi' it's narrow but very very slow to start.

One of the Swiss Stone pine cultivars?

"One of the Swiss Stone pine cultivars?"

That could work!! Pinus cembra 'Silver Whispers' is described as a "nearly perfect compact, very hardy evergreen for spatially challenged landscapes" :-) LOL!

"Excellent choice for smaller spaces between overly-close buildings. Sized for planting areas around front lawns of city or suburban homes. Excellent specimen for Christmas outdoor lighting".

I'm going to be doing Norway/Red Pine next to my house.....they will be at least 30-40 feet away though!

I was thinking of Pinus cembra also along with a few others.
Here's 'Blue Mound' that I've been growing for more years than you would think from its appearance. Great tree, one of my favs...slow grower...