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Posted: Jan/26/2006 7:47 PM PST
I am planning some changes to my yard this year, and I am looking for some ideas for establishing a nice backdrop around the perimeter of the yard using trees and shrubs. One particular area I am having trouble with is my front walkway: I have a garden at the side of the garage that is about 3 1/2 feet deep by about 10 feet wide. Right now it is an eyesore! I want some narrow, compact shrubs in there for greenery, and then I can plan for some flowers after that. (I have only one large awkwardly-placed but beautiful bridal veil spirea there now) Ideally I'd like something that would not get too wide but could get as tall as 5 feet? Maybe I should keep looking at climbing vines instead? I just worry that many ivies have been known to do damage to the brickwork. It happened at my childhood home, what a mess. I had thought of cultivating a climbing hydrangea on the garage wall as a backdrop, only my research has indicated that it is NOT fast-growing, and would need 5-7 years to get established. I'm still going to try one, but in a different area.  Also I have only 2 trees on my property, both maples. I want a locust, as I really like those....and I am wondering about other trees that grow fairly rapidly? I will only be at this house for maybe 7 more years but I'd like some privacy while I'm here! Suggestions? |
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Posted: Jan/26/2006 9:28 PM PST
Oh Daisy! A picture would help us visualize! We are not the wordy sort! |
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Posted: Jan/26/2006 10:19 PM PST
Not the wordy sort? Oh come on! LOL!!!! I am just wondering about different types of shrubs and vines...maybe something you are particularly fond of? Don't need a layout, just some leads... Can't give you a pic anyway, because everything is under a layer of snow. Maybe when it melts! |
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Posted: Feb/08/2006 8:50 PM PST
Daisy, How about planting Clematis...they are fairly easy to grow and would be beautiful climbing up your garage wall, or you could train a climbing rose bush there too....or how about Honeysuckles? they are fast growing and grow good on a tellis... ....... as for the greenary, how about some good old fashioned boxwoods? you can keep them trimmed, neat and compact.... As for taller shrubs, how about Weiglas? they are colorful, spread 5-10ft wide, and 4-10ft. tall...a couple of those in your back drop would be awsome! the do best in full sun though....yes, and a picture would help too... As for trees, I'm not sure, sorry, no help there.... |
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Posted: Feb/08/2006 8:59 PM PST
Honeysuckles I have had no luck with. Love them though. I am in zone 5, but maybe there are varieties that are hardier for my zone? Thanks Alammy...I will look at the Weigelas at the nursery to see what I think of them. And I do plan to add some boxwoods, just because they are so darn cute. |
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Posted: Feb/09/2006 12:17 AM PST
Daisy, Well what do you think about the Clematis idea? Hey another idea, is Rose of Sharon!..they are super easy to grow, and you can get them to climb on a trellis...they are gorgeous!...I planted two of those in the spring. I was looking at Forsythias in this book of mine you can plant them as a hedge, with some juniper bushes in front of them, and then in front of that you can plant some daffodils I want to plant some of these beautiful bushes like the weigela and forsythia somewhere in my yard too.......good for zones 5-9..not sure what zone your in there in Ontario...but they sure do look pretty..bright yellow..they bloom in the early spring...you will figure it out!..:banana-wa |
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Posted: Feb/09/2006 8:30 PM PST
http://msucares.com/pubs/publications/p0456.pdf Has an article on the process and several plants listed as suitable. I have seen the firethorn (pyracanthra) done very effectively as well as a pear. Really awesome look. This provides a nice effect in the witner too with the shape showing against the wall. Some of the plants can grow 2 feet a year, so it might be worth the curb apeal later down the road. |
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Posted: Feb/09/2006 8:35 PM PST
IR2: Thanks for the link! |
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Posted: Feb/09/2006 8:51 PM PST
Daisy, I'm in zone 4 and at the end of the season I picked up a honeysuckle half price. Can't tell you which one as the tag is still on it and under the snow. I'll let you know what happens in spring. There is some wild honeysuckle growing up the very back of my yard...........or there was before they culled my brush last year before building the house on the property behind mine. They always did very well and attracted all sorts of birds once the berries came on them. Clamatis takes a few years to establish and produce. |
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Posted: Feb/09/2006 8:54 PM PST
Hmm. Interesting. I am all for Honeysuckle as we always had it at my childhood home. I have 3 different clematis already, 2 are doing fine-- but the 3rd one is taking forever to amount to anything. I inherited these when we bought the house. |
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