tall evergreen shrubs
There you go...now that appeals to my sense of humour.
Portuguese Laurel is nice but poisonous. Ilex are wonderful but can be slow. Fastigate Yew is a good one but poisonous again. How tall is tall?
After all my silly word play this morning, I'm not surprized you think I did that Terry, but honest I didn't!
Thanks for your suggestions Nicola and here's the rest of Robin's enquiry that posted in full on her note in the Guest Book today.
Her summers would be shorter and milder than ours down here - more like UK's, but her longer winter would hit lows from -5 to -20F (-26 5to -29C) in USDA Zone 5a.
From Robin in Ohio:
I am rather new at this whole internet thing as well as gardening, but I need some help. Our house sits on a gasline and we are not permitted to have trees anywhere within a 30ft easement, so I want to grow something large and evergreen that could possible take the place of a tree and provide some shade. I have put in a small island in the front yard and plan to put my selections up there, they will get plenty of sun almost all day long from morning till about 5:00. I live near Cincinnat, but I'm not sure what zone that is. Any help anybody can offer would be appreciated. Thanks
Robin Bobst
Indian Springs , OH USA - Tuesday, August 01, 2000 at 12:45:05 (CDT)
Robin, it sounds like a few conifers in varied heights, shapes and hues might make a nice planting in your island bed. I am not familiar with the best varieties for your local, but I do suggest visiting the nearest arboretum or botanical gardens for specifics as well as investigating Nicolas suggestions further. They do sound like good ones to me too.
Anyone else have some more ideas?
Hi Robin. I just wanted to add a suggestion to the good advice above. Contact your county extension agent and get a list of evergreen shrubs that do well in your area.
Try Berberis darwinii, small green holly like leaves, orange flowers in spring followed by blue berries, a slow starter but fast once established, max. height about 10 feet (3m). Even better if you want pseudo trees are Cotoneasters Rothschildianus (yellow berries in autumn/fall) and salicifolius (red berries), both grow to about 15 feet (4.5m) tall. There are many other Berberis and Cotoneasters that may be suitable, but those three I grow and all are trouble free and fully hardy for me, although the Cotoneasters do lose some leaves in winter.
Just a thought, the definition of a shrub is woody, multistemmed and smaller than a tree. Many beautiful Acers are smaller than large shrubs, some are even classed as shrubs, most have beautiful foliage and are very hardy. They are not evergreen but would look lovely mixed with evergreens to give some changes with the seasons.
Excellent suggestion, Terry.
I would suggest perhaps planting some spring-blooming bulbs on the house side of the island to brighten things up, and then some low-maintenance perennial flowers for summer enjoyment.
I do love that idea of Japanese maples among the evergreens Terry!
Here is a link to the site of our forum bud, Susan who has done some beautiful shrubbery plantings with acers.
Worthog Garden