[JML]

I am having a huge problem thinking of what to put on the side of this building. I haven't done any design work in months, and my head hurts just looking at it? Any ideas...
He wants to keep it as low cost as possible. I was thinking a hedge, but what should I put in for some height? The planting area is roughly about three feet wide... Thanks

 

[JML]

the other half.

 

[Grassmechanic]

What is the exposure? If it's not a northern exposure, I'd go with Anthony Waterer Spirea broken up every now and then with a Skyrocket or Wichita Blue juniper.

 

[dvmcmrhp52]

What about some tall grasses with other perennials in between?
Looking for height all along or just to offset?

 

[GLAN]

I would do Emerald Green Arborvitae at the columns

Yew Densiformous in between.

Liriope under the window towards the front.

 

[mdvaden]

I like that "at the columns" idea, but for the earlier suggested Wichita Blue Juniper.

Blue on red is a great pair of colors.

Maybe use Moonglow Juniper, it can be 1/2 the price of Wichita.

The Moonglow should be sheared at least once per year, twice is better to prolong its existence in the space to maybe 2 to 3 decades.

There's a photo of a sheared Moonglow on my pruning page at www.mdvaden.com

In between, I'd either go with Emerald Arborvitae, sheared at 4' maximum height, or vacate winter foliage between columns and plant:

Pennisetum alopecuroides (several varieties) - Fountain Grass

 

[JML]

I was thinking about the arbs and the liriope, you re inforced my decision on using it. I like the idea of the hedge. Was thinking about maybe like a holly that gets berries.. What could I use to add a little height other than the arbs.. Think a small magnolia would look good? Thanks again guys...

 

[GLAN]

Originally posted by JML
I was thinking about the arbs and the liriope, you re inforced my decision on using it. I like the idea of the hedge. Was thinking about maybe like a holly that gets berries.. What could I use to add a little height other than the arbs.. Think a small magnolia would look good? Thanks again guys...

You don't have much space. Magnolia is out. Remember your in a parking lot. Plantings are basic and simple with hassle free plant material.

The Wichita's have been problematic in our neck of the woods. The color contrast is nice though. Junipers would be double the cost of the Arborvitaes.

Or if you need more height from the hedge then Hicks yews

 

[NCSULandscaper]

I would try to go with skyrocket junipers and white indian hawthorns in between. Cant get anymore low maintenance than those.

 

[Grassmechanic]

Glan - what's the problem with wichita's out your way? Ours here are just beautiful, and hardly anyone uses them. Highly underrated juniper, if you ask me.

 

[GLAN]

Yes highly underated.


Not sure exactly. We had used them a couple years cause the blue is fantastic. I had replaced all with the exception of a small hedge at one home.

We found that they cannot tolerate the watering from irrigation systems for one thing. Very prone to blights. They never trimmed well, anyway you did them. They just tend to die back after trimming.

Now a days they are no longer in the nurseries. Once in a while I will see a couple but that's all.

The other thing if they are against a wall the back died out and the plant becomes side heavy, would fall or lean.

 

[GLAN]

Hawthorn?

The needles?

Not low maintenance that I have ever seen.


The Indian is common for lower lattitudes not up here

 

[Team Gopher]

Hi JML,

How about ornamental vines?

 

[Rtom45]

Why not try to espaliate (sp) some pyracantha along the walls?

 

[GLAN]

Originally posted by Rtom45
Why not try to espaliate (sp) some pyracantha along the walls?

Again the Thorns. Not low maintenance.

 

[NCSULandscaper]

Originally posted by GLAN
Hawthorn?

The needles?

Not low maintenance that I have ever seen.

The Indian is common for lower lattitudes not up here

Indian Hawthorn has no needles. Low growing evergreen mounded shrub that requires little to no maintenance.

 

[NNJLandman]

I was thinking boxwoods or Manhattan Euoynomous in between the pillars. With one arb at each pillar or this nice tall shrub with red smallish round leaves....can't think of the name.

Jeff

 

[GLAN]

NCSU


That variety is not very common up here. Though there are many other varities making their way into the nurseries in the last couple years. Let me find out about them.

JML says he's Jersey shore, now north our south I don't know

Regardless we both are in the same zone.

 

[NNJLandman]

Sand Cherrys was the shrub i was thinking of.

 

[Turfdude]

JML,

Since you list the Jersey shore, you would want to take into consideration the heat (multipled of course by the black top) and of course the winds. Since the planting area is not too wide, I'd suggest sticking w/ some basic junipers that will thrive down there. For height, go w/ either spartan or moonglow junipers. There are a plethora of grasses that will thrive down there too. Barberry is okay, but not too many since they're deciduous. You may be able to incorporate some steeds upright hollies too. They'd make for a good hedgerow and stay fairly columnar.