plant species for geometric hedges
Feb. 24, 2008
Hi, all--this is my first time online, but I've been a Fine Gardening reader for 11 years since starting my garden outside Bloomington, Indiana. My secret pleasure on warm- weather gardening days is napping on the bridge over my little pond, screened from the street by hemlocks, grasses, and ferns. I've recently started a moss garden and am ready to talk moss any time!
Just now, I'm requesting large-shrub suggestions for a specific design. I've been following the work of Piet Oudolf and am interested in his geometrically shaped hedges defining meadow-like expanses. I'd like to create a curved hedge about 6 feet tall and +/- 3 feet wide, 20-30 feet long, to serve as backdrop to a group of three dark-gray, mature tree trunks limbed up to about 8 feet. Either evergreen or deciduous species would work (but please--no privet or forsythia) as long as the twigs/needles are light in color. The hedge needn't be opaque but should be twiggy enough in winter to stop the gaze and showcase the tree trunks. But what species are fairly fast-growing and can handle shearing and the dry, part-day shade near the trees? Your generosity in making suggestions or giving advice is much appreciated, and I hope to get a chance to return the favor.
With best wishes to all of you for whom gardening is its own reward, Saihoji
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(post #15381, reply #1 of 12)
I know a lot of people really hate them, but perhaps one of the non-spreading bamboos? I had a hedge in my garden in Houston that was there when I moved in, so I don't know the variety. It grew beautifully in full shade. It was in a very dry spot under two huge live oak trees, was easily kept trimmed to 6 feet in one area and 12 feet in another and looked really pretty. It didn't spread and didn't come back in the area that I removed it from. I wish I knew the name, because it was lovely. A light green most of the year and golden in the late winter. I wish I had some here for a troublesome spot.
zone 6 gardening in the woods with 30,000 deer
zone 6 gardening in the woods with 30,000 deer
(post #15381, reply #2 of 12)
Feb. 25, 2008
Hi, SarahC-- Thanks for your helpful and prompt response!!! I've got some bamboo species myself--"big-leaf bamboo," a slow spreader to about 6' tall in my garden; and quick-spreading but seductive variegated bamboo, a ground cover. Latin names supplied on request, I just want to get this message out without the delays of proper research :=)
I appreciate your suggestion of bamboo, though neither of my present species seems quite suitable--the tree trunks I want to highlight do so clearly announce themselves as temperate-zone plants, in contrast to the tropical nuance of the coarser-leaved bamboos. What do you think of the Fargesia species, which do well here in mid-south Indiana and have a fine texture? I would need to keep them somewhat trimmed and tidy in order to be clear that they're only backdrop while the handsome trunks of tulip poplar stand out. Have you any experience with shearing otr pruning your bamboos?
Best regards, Saihoji
(post #15381, reply #3 of 12)
I've seen Oudolf's work, but for the life of me I can't remember which plants he uses for his hedges. I'd think it wouldn't be too difficult to research. Of course, there is the zonal problem, but I'm betting some of his choices would work where you are.
“For me, patriotism is the love of one’s country, while nationalism is the hatred of other peoples.”–Dmitri Likhachev
http://regality3.livejournal.com/
http://regality3.livejournal.com/
(post #15381, reply #4 of 12)
Feb. 26, 2008
Dear Regality,
Enjoyed your thoughts on hedges as well as food and wine talk on your site. As far as Oudolf, I've seen articles where his species choices are identified--such as beech trees. He works at a much larger scale than I'm able to, and his tall hedges appear to be 8-15 feet high, if not more. I could use a tree species but would have to prune it an awful lot. Maintenance isn't my strong point! Do you garden yourself, have hedges?
Regards, Saihoji
(post #15381, reply #5 of 12)
I do garden, on a much smaller scale than Oudolf. *L* And no, I don't do hedges. I had way too much intimate knowledge of them at the end of the hedge clippers when I was a teenager at home. Vowed to never create one myself and I have kept that vow. However, I do admire anyone with the enterprise to keep up the upclip.
And yes, his hedges are definitely in the tall range.
“For me, patriotism is the love of one’s country, while nationalism is the hatred of other peoples.”–Dmitri Likhachev
http://regality3.livejournal.com/
Edited 2/26/2008 8:56 pm by Regality
Edited 2/26/2008 8:59 pm by Regality
http://regality3.livejournal.com/
(post #15381, reply #6 of 12)
Don't know if I am too late with this post and you already have your hedge planted but here is my suggestion. It is Acanthopanax sieboldianus "Variegatum" It is the variegated five leaf aralia. I have used the fregular one in the past and it was great. This will be the third season for the varigated variety and so far so good. The foliage is so beautiful and light which would look great aganst the tree trunks and it is one tough shrub. It is dry shade tolerant and very tolerant of city conditons. I have mine planed with cold coastal salt gale blowing on it all winter. I have mine planted as two small curving hedges which should look great when they fill in.
Would like to hear what you have done/not done!
(post #15381, reply #7 of 12)
The variegated arelia is a good suggestion! I wound up putting my planned hedge on the back burner last season, but hope to get it done in 2009.
Here's my idea: I'm going to photograph the trees I want to showcase, then find some arelia photos online and try to Photoshop them, somewhat to scale, where they would go behind the trees.
This move is intended to inspire me. If I can attach photos, I'll post the result. Probably about six weeks from now.
(post #15381, reply #8 of 12)
The photoshop thing is a great idea.
(post #15381, reply #9 of 12)
That would be fun to see. I'm just new at the computer so can just do the basics. I'm a landscape designer and do all of my designs by hand. I was at a Horticulture conference in November and speaking with many deigners, most found that they didn't save a significant amount of time doing the design itself on the computer. It did help with making changes, compiling material lists, and of course doing any photo graphics.
Hope that you are able to find that shrub, I lucked out here as it is not a common one.
Wendy
(post #15381, reply #10 of 12)
When you get more comfortable with the computer, you have a treat in store!
I was able to quickly find and download pictures from the Internet--both the aralia and a shade-loving bamboo, Fargesia (another suggestion for my hedge posted to this thread). The images are copyrighted, but the copyright notice that downloads with each image isn't a problem for my purpose of mocking-up a planting for my own garden. And I trust that this temporary personal use doesn't infringe the copyright!
I've seen the Eleutherococcus or Acanopanthax genus, described as below, in several online plant catalogs, for example:
Eleutherococcus sieboldianus ‘Variegatus’ - Hardy Variegated Aralia — Rare and handsome, this thorny shrub has leaves which are very distinctly margined with creamy white in the spring, becoming a softer silver-white in the summer. Growth to 8', but takes clipping very well. (Source: http://www.greergardens.com/TREES%20%26%20SHRUBS_D-G.htm)
I don't find the computer faster either for making a garden plan, but then I haven't yet tried software programs specific to that purpose.
As soon as my cat finishes napping on the box where I keep my camera :=), I'm going to start working on my "virtual hedge!"
(post #15381, reply #11 of 12)
I have grown the Fargesia here and really like it, it is very well behaved and lovely. I don't think that it is used enough!
My partner and I have just bought a house with 3/4 an acre of land, some lawn and older trees, a small orchard and grapevines and basically no landscaping so this is going to be a great project. My botyfriend is a landscaper and artist so he is a great help with a wonderful eye, so we are going to have fun.
I wanted to experience the property in all of its seasons before we did anything so I am making lots of notes. It's one thing designing for other people but quite another for yourself!! Just need to get some photos taken to have before and after pictures! Love those!!
(post #15381, reply #12 of 12)
Hi....I am in Bloomington also and wanting to connect online with other gardeners. Compared to your property my garden is modest. I gardened for many years in Johnson County north of here, then moved into an apartment in Bloomington. I thought my gardening was going to be limited to my balcony. Well, the complex dug up some dirt, so I am back in action!
I am a perennial, hardy annual, fanatic. If you have any questions about these let me know. I have learned to make garden plans using only the Draw tool bar in Word. Do you know of any online resources for garden design graphics?
Getting acquainted, Pat/Lunaria