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| Small townhouse with small fenced in backyard. I've sheet mulched the former turf between the fence and an established (by the developer) parking lot side bed. I'd like to find the right plants for this spot and am envisioning broadleaf evergreens. Which probably aren't "right".
So,
So, what do you think? I'd love rhody, pieris, azalea but I think everything is wrong except the exposure. There is not a single evergreen in my life so the red twig and some sedum are IT for winter interest. This bed was ready to go last summer but I had no inspiration. And, well, there were cantaloupe. Ideas? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| What about some barberry or boxwood or Holly. If it's not evergreen, a nygrangea nay fit the bill. Paul |
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- Posted by prairiemoon2 zone 6a/MA (My Page) on Mon, Apr 23, 12 at 8:14
| I second the Boxwood or Holly for an evergreen shrub for winter interest. If you don't mind trimming a boxwood or shaping it those are otherwise easy care and you can keep them in shorter sizes. A blue Holly, like Prince / Princess will give you carefree, no trimming unless it gets too big. Moderate growth rate. Berries for birds and winter interest if you get both male/female. They are great as a backbone of your garden bed. Rhodies, Pieris, Azalea are all acid lovers and love a good humus content in the soil. I attempt to grow them and I have a neutral soil that is a loamy clay with good humus content for the most part. PIeris has not liked me at all. Although the one I have left, I am going to move and try in another location. Azaleas grow sparsely in my East facing location. Rhodies have not performed well at all. I am attempting this spring to fertilize well with Hollytone, so we will see, but I would say it is more of an effort to 'baby' these shrubs when you don't have the right conditions. If you LOVE them, why not try one small one and provide what it needs? Another suggestion, if you want a vertical accent is Ilex 'Sky Pencil' These grow very well in our garden and are easy too. They are slow growing but get tall and fairly thin until they are mature, and by that time, can be only 3 ft around. If you are adding evergreens, you might want to consider using them on the north side of your bed, so you won't block the sun from other plants you are trying to grow. Are you planning on using any perennials at all? |
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| I have boxwood and love them. They like more acidic soil. I use Miracid twice a summer on them. Otherwise, I'm not an evergreen person. My favorite shrubs are Smoke Bush, Bridal Wreath Spirea and Dogwood (which has variegated leaves). Never tried a Rhodie. Azalea failed to thrive so it got pitched. Sounds like you've got good sun. Have you considered a rose or two? |
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| Oh that Smoke Bush is cool! I had completely forgotten about holly. I'm off to research. I remember hearing about the male/female thing. |
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