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Landscape Design

Need help picking shrubs/plants for my backyard - 7a NJ

4 years ago

I have a large unused mulch bed that runs across the entire back of my property. The area shown is roughly 10' deep and 60' long to where the shed is. (it runs another 30 ft. past the shed to the left but not looking to plant there).

The pine tree is awkwardly placed off this mulch bed, there's a small Japanese maple to the left and the other tree on the fence to the right. The fence is facing NNE so this area gets about 5-6 hours of sun per day but the pine and two large oaks behind the shed keep a-lot in the shade.

Im looking to fill the majority of this area so plants that are low maintenance and cost effective have a plus. Im thinking larger, colorful shrubs along the fence and short "forest floor" type stuff in the front? I'd also like to block off the area behind the shed right after the small maple tree. Not sure how to "end" the plantings but any advice would be appreciated!

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Comments (4)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
I think your 'pine' is really a spruce :-) And it is very awkwardly placed. I'd seriously consider removing it to open up the view to this planting bed and allow more light to the area.

There are lots of shrubs that will tolerate varying degrees of shade and if you purchase with an eye to their mature size, they typically involve minimal maintenance once established. Flowering evergreen shrubs could include rhododendrons and azaleas, camellia, pieris, kalmia and skimmia. Possibly abelia if enough sun. Deciduous shrubs could include kerria, hydrangeas, witch hazels, wintersweet, clethra, fothergilla and almost too many more to name.
Dan Rumbauskas
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks so much - just shows how much I know lol We had originally considered removing it but the other side of the fence is commercial on a busy road. Once all the other trees drop their leaves this is the only thing blocking all of the ugliness.

Ill have to do my homework on your suggestions and try to come up with a plan!
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PRO
Yardvaark
4 years ago
A couple of large flowering shrubs according to the light conditions, a taller groundcover below the "pine," and a lower groundcover everywhere else. Maybe there could be a couple of patches of perennial color strategically placed in front of the fence.

Your arrow-straight bed line does not make sense the way it connects to the garage bed. Adapt a new, curving bed line in front of it.
Dan Rumbauskas thanked Yardvaark
Dan Rumbauskas
Original Author
4 years ago
Wow thanks for taking the time to do this! I hadn't even considered ground cover, and for the amount of space I'm looking to cover it seems like a no brainer. This "mulch bed" continues into both adjoining neighbors property so I'd need to make sure I find something somewhat manageable that wouldn't go and take over their property as well. Thanks again!

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