Need an evergren recommendation

Need an evergren recommendation (post #15405)

pino on Sat, 07/11/2009 - 23:49

Inspired Design

Hello all.

I'm in need of an evergreen to fit under the canopy of three 80' white pines. We're looking for something that is more shrub or bush-like in shape; no Christmas trees in you know what I mean.

Trying to find something that will provide a naturalized screen in a corner of this plot near a side walk. There is also a 40' maple nearby under which this evergreen would fit.

We already have pink and white dogwoods, as well as a Franlkinia in this understory area, all thriving well.

Oh, and we're zone 5 just outside Chicago.

I'd appreciate any suggestions you might offer.

When you write 'White Pine' - (post #15405, reply #1 of 5)

by Noel-in-England in reply to pino [original] on Mon, 02/15/2010 - 10:47

When you write 'White Pine' - is this the 'Mexican White Pine' (Pinus ayacahuite) or [more probably, yes?] P.monticola the
Western White Pine or maybe, even P.parvifolia (Jap. White Pine)

Anyway, I'm reckoning that it's not THAT important - the probability is that its going to be shady, with bone dry & hard
soil.

To get anything to grow underneath there - I 'd try to plant what is going to establsh in-the-wild, where the parent plants shelter the next generations of their species; - which will be YOUNG examples of that same species.

You may have to plant up several in groupings for an effect.

Rhodies are pretty common in (post #15405, reply #2 of 5)

by SteveA in reply to pino [original] on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 11:43

Rhodies are pretty common in that situation. Or Kalmia.

Do you have a deer problem?

--Steve Aitken, Editor, Fine Gardening

Hi pino, I notice this is (post #15405, reply #3 of 5)

by Abbie in reply to pino [original] on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 13:47

Hi pino,

I notice this is about a year after your first posting but would you consider a daphne or two for your area?

http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/...

Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.

I have a similar area and I (post #15405, reply #4 of 5)

by gardengal4 in reply to Abbie [original] on Sat, 02/20/2010 - 19:46

I have a similar area and I planted 3 evergreen hollies... Ilex mesearve 'Blue Princess'. They get some morning sun. I planted them as fairly large specimens (4-5' B&B) and gave them a lot of TLC (water!) the first couple of years. I was afraid anything smaller might have a hard time competing.

One tip about watering an area like that is not to water JUST the new specimen plants. Its important to water the entire root zone of all the neighboring plants, so the big trees will not send their roots into the new fella's rootzone.

Great advise on watering (post #15405, reply #5 of 5)

by southernsoil in reply to gardengal4 [original] on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 09:39

Great advise on watering gardengal.

Need an evergren recommendation