replace this hedge

replace this hedge (post #15406)

SarahC on Tue, 07/28/2009 - 13:23

Inspired Design

I have a ovalish bluestone patio. On the back it is bordered by pfitzers (Juniperus chinensis var. Pfitzeriana 'Gold Tip) -- photo attached. I hate them, because they give me a rash if I get too close, plus they are overgrown, completely naked on the back under the ironwood (to the right) and the deer eat them all winter so they look raggedy most of the time. I want to replace them with something nice, but what?

After 9 years DH has given the OK, but he wants all the same plant. The rest of my garden is so haphazard he likes the order this brings. I want something evergreen, since the birds nest in this and I don't want to rob them of too much nesting space. Zone 6, something deer don't eat. Any ideas?

zone 6 gardening in the woods with 30,000 deer

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by roxanna in reply to SarahC [original] on Wed, 07/29/2009 - 12:22

hi Sarah! lovely photo. my personal recommendation for replacement would be boxwood, which deer do not like generally. even last year's ice storm which had them browsing other shrubs (vibrunum and holly!) did not entice them to sample my boxwood. and they make a lovely hedge!

granted, it's not the fastest plant to make a hedge, and you'd need to find the more winter-hardy varieties, but the uniformity probably would appeal to your DH, and as i say, they are very handsome. my box hedge is in a raised bed (backing peonies, astilbe, columbine and daylilies), since the swamp is so near. they have done well and i love the look. i don't shear them, just let them "go natural" with a bit of shaping when i think of it...

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by SarahC in reply to Anonymous [original] on Wed, 07/29/2009 - 15:24

Thank you! I do have one little box ball which hasn't been eaten, even last winter, the year of the mass munching. So that is a great idea! The one I have is a mini, not supposed to get bigger than 2x2, so I can't use the same variety for behind the bench-- that needs to top out at around 3-4'.

Anyone here have experience with box in zone 6? What looks good in winter, won't burn and can get really dense, so the birds can hide in it?

Also, anyone have experience with Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) Do deer eat it? That was another idea I had... I get a rash from almost every needle plant, inc. cedars/junipers though, so I'm a little leery.

zone 6 gardening in the woods with 30,000 deer

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by jeana in reply to SarahC [original] on Wed, 07/29/2009 - 17:18

Someone posted a pic of some nice hypericum earlier for and ID. Have you thought about those? They take some shade and still get full.I don't know if they'll get as tall as you want, 3' or so, but deer don't eat them. There's also fragrant sumac, Rhus aromatica. It looks disturbingly like poison ivy, but it isn't. It makes a great, very tough shrub and deer don't eat it either. There's a variety you find most often, 'Low-Gro'. I don't like it as well. The straight species is really nice. There are males and females, the females have red berries that the birds love. It's a native in the east. I don't know a place that sells sexed plants. If I did, I'd buy them. I had them at my last place and it's my favorite native shrub.

Jeana

Never try to baptize a cat.

Jeana Never try to baptize a cat.

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by Abbie in reply to SarahC [original] on Sat, 08/08/2009 - 19:51

Hi Sarah,
I was going to recommend privet hedge since I miss seeing them - they don't seem to thrive in Zone 7. On checking with Google, I find that people are adamant either that deer don't like them or that they do like them. You'd have the beautiful scent when they flower - assuming you like that scent - but if you didn't want them to get fifteen feet high, you'd have to prune them rather regularly.

So I am positive that privet is either a great or a terrible choice. Your call.

Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.

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by Blueberry_Babe in reply to SarahC [original] on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 03:05

I have a Japanese holly hedge that is about 10 years old and I keep it cut to 4 feet. I have had deer come in the yard but they haven't eaten the hedge. It gets a very inconspicuous blossom that attracts honey bees.

SW Washington, zone 7

Have you looked at the (post #15406, reply #6 of 7)

by jenhicks in reply to Anonymous [original] on Tue, 01/26/2010 - 07:19

Have you looked at the Evergreen Barberry? It's gorgeous and sounds like it would suit your requirements really well.

Box - yes that's not a bad (post #15406, reply #7 of 7)

by Noel-in-England in reply to jenhicks [original] on Mon, 02/15/2010 - 08:49

Box - yes that's not a bad shout but it does need an annual shape.

Also the shrubby, evergreen Honeysuckles;-

Lonicera nitida & its colorful variety L.n. 'Baggesen's Gold'
and L. pileata - which to my eyes is a bit like privet - dull/boring.

If you've just 'gone-off' the J. 'Pfitzers' - you could try hoicking just SOME of those you have out & substituting J.media
'Old Gold' or the 'Pfitzerana Aurea' ?

replace this hedge