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Sat, Apr 10, 10 at 11:53
| I need a little help choosing a shrub to plant. I have two large "kidney bean" shape mulch areas in front of my house. One has 5 crape myrtles (light pink flower) and the other has 5 of what what my wife calls tulip trees, although they are a type of magnolia with light pink flowers in bloom now, that are about the shape of a crape myrtle right now (about 5 feet tall or so). I am wanting to plant shrubs around them. I was thinking of surround each tree with five shrubs/grasses/etc.
I would need 50 total plants. I was thinking of getting two different types and either having each bed have their own unique type, or splitting them up evenly, not sure yet. The area has a clay soil (north of Raleigh), and receives a lot of direct sunlight. I want something with some color to it, not just dark green leaves all year. I had some lingstrums and azaeles there two years ago, they did not do very good (not sure if it was my fault or just a bad choice of plants). Anyway, I transplanted them to a different area. I have some lorapetlums by the house that are doing great, but not sure if that would be too much purple if I planted them as well. I also have some cypress mops against the house I just planted. Any advice on what I should plant? The lower maintenaince the better (I do not mind pruning once a year, but not every month).
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| Maybe have a look at this. Or visit the Raulston Arboretum for inspiration, if you are able to. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Shrubs - NC State University
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| A more common, common name for your tree is Saucer Magnolia. So pretty right now, aren't they? |
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- Posted by dave_in_nova VA zone 7a (My Page) on Mon, Apr 12, 10 at 9:12
| For nice low mounding shrubs that take the heat and have year-round good looks consider Indian Hawthorn. A nice one I have called 'Bay Breeze' has pinkish blooms and dark, glossy leaves. Looks like it would stay lowish with not too much pruning. Also, maybe Abelia 'Kaleidescope'-- has chartreuse variegated new foliage (would need pruning). Also, how about a few Knock-Out roses? If you are in zone 8, consider Pittosporum tobira. For plain-green spreading mounds, Yaupon (I. vomitoria) and 'Soft Touch' Holly (Helleri variant) would look nice. |
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| _Pittosporum tobira_ is an excellent suggestion for the type of landscaping you're involved with. However, there is a more cold-tolerant Korean form of _Pittosporum tobira_ that is identical in appearance to the more commonly grown Japanese version, except that it is a little more compact in its habit of growth. Korean _Pittosporum tobira_ is hardy into Zone 7 and is available from Camellia Forest Nursery in Chapel Hill, NC, and Woodlanders in Aiken, SC, two highly reputable mail-order nurseries having easily navigated, secure Websites. _Pittosporum tobira_ makes an elegant garden specimen and lends itself well to hedge work. Allowed to grow naturally _Pittosporum tobira_ forms a beautiful small tree. It also tolerates shearing extremely well and is frequently used in the landscaping of public spaces as well as private grounds. In late spring, it produces clusters of creamy white flowers with an orange-blossom fragrance. The flowers are followed by clusters of small red fruit in the fall. |
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