Planting Area for Emerald Arborvitae or Spartan Juniper
M Cven
3 years ago
Hi all,
We are interested in planting either emerald arborvitaes or spartan junipers on either side of our porch as a privacy screen. There is approximately 32" between the side of the porch and our driveway.
Is this enough planting room for an EA or SJ to establish itself for healthy growth? We are based outside of Chicago.
Thanks in advance!
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years agoM Cven
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Planting Emerald Green Arborvitaes
Comments (7)If I understand correctly, this 80' row of emerald green arborvitae would be 'sandwiched' in a long, 2 foot wide row bordered by a 1 foot higher retaining wall behind, and a 2 foot drop-off by retaining wall before them. Or something like that. Consider that with a big drop-off retaining wall, during dry times you may have to do quite a bit of supplemental watering, since I assume ground water will drain out that retaining wall pretty fast. I'm not familiar with how moist your soil stays in summer. But if you ever have droughts, especially during the first couple of years getting established, get reading for a water bill. I might be tempted to 'mix it up a bit,' either with a few golden arborvitae forms here and there (e.g.: yellow ribbon arborvitae comes to mind, but there are others), a couple of Boulevard false cypress, maybe a few Blue Point Juniper if conditions are good for it there. Good visually, and that way if bag worms strike while you're out of town a week or two someday, maybe your wall won't be quite as decimated. Richard....See MoreSpacing and planting of Emerald Green Arborvitae
Comments (5)I've read they can get 12 - 14 feet tall. That should take time; I've already read once established you might be looking at 6" - 1' growth per year, if memory serves. Is that clay soil? I know on the forum some people plant slightly above grade with clay soil in areas prone to prolonged wetness, for some trees. I've read discussions about rows of these guys (because I planted 14 last Fall). Some people plant them 3' apart so they fill in a bit faster; some 4 feet so each has plenty of personal space, thinking they SHOULD eventually fill in mostly (albeit it could take a long time). I've not heard of anyone planting them 4'7" apart, though. Here's a trick people talk about on the forum for hastening hedges; plant another row of them in front of that row, staggered (blocking the open spaces), for a more rapid fill-in effect. OR, consider making that front row a different species or cultivar, for variety. For example, I wonder how yellow ribbon arborvitae or Holmstrup's yellow (not plain Holmstrup) would do? Perhaps blue point juniper? I'm not familiar with planting in New Jersey, and aesthetics are personal. I like Boulevard False Cypress (the regular form, not those poodle-cut 'topiary' versions that look like pom-poms). Richard....See MoreThuja occidentalis (Arborvitae) 'Emerald' in North California
Comments (6)Thank you. How would Thuja's growth rate compare with "Spartan Juniper" (Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan')? Around here I can get 15gal 5'-6' tall tree for about $50 both of thuja and juniper or 24" box 8'-9' feet of thuja for about $200. I was trying to lookup info on "juniperus viginiana burkii" but I am getting that they are 10-15' in diameter, right? I think that there are other juniperus which would work better (i.e. Spartan, Skyrocket, Hetzii Columnaris). Vadim This post was edited by kutsyy on Wed, Jul 3, 13 at 20:09...See MoreSpartan juniper or emerald thuja?
Comments (6)thuja are not really cedars ... just fyi ... they are thuja... lol ... aka .. arbs ... and when they cone.. they have thuja cones.. not pine cones.. lol .. but i digress ... no kidding ... z6 is about half the US.. can you give us a big city idea where you are ... if you want us to discuss conifers for a 'narrow' spot.. we need to know how narrow ... when surfing the web for information ... you are best off converting from the common name.. to the full latin name... and then going to the IMAGEs side of the results.. and see the potential of the plants ... i did the first for you ... based on what i see there .... i wouldnt call them narrow ... the narrowest thuja i know of is Thuja occidentalis 'DeGroot's Spire' ... google it ... especially if you get single leader plants.. and maintain them as such .... ken https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Juniperus+chinensis+%22Spartan%22&t=ffcm&iax=images&ia=images...See MoreEmbothrium
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
3 years agoDitto the recommendation for DeGroot's Spires- I find them wonderfully useful in smaller beds- they just behave very nicely. They were one of the few conifers that did not experience any damage from this winter's ice storm.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years agoM Cven
3 years agoAttached is a picture of the full project. We added the porch to our existing home. If there are concerns on DeGroot's, are there other suggestions that may be better suited for this space that still provides privacy? Installing a trellis will be a tough sell...
@Embothrium--Good call out, though we aren't expecting much of an overhang on the bed in question.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
3onthetree
3 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoEmbothrium
3 years ago
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