We're looking to replace a couple of hedges in front of our house with new leafy evergreen shrubs, either flowering or not. See attached photo. We would take out the two flat-topped hedges shown. Does anyone have any suggestions? So many choices out there and I don't have an eye for this stuff. Thanks
Shrub recommendation (front of house)
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The choice of shrubbery would be a personal choice, but make sure you plant them at least 3 or 4' from the house. Too close and they will infiltrate the house's surface and become obnoxious. They will look odd at first, but once they fill out, they will look better.
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I love these scrubs...we have both of them. They stay low and they’re
lush and beautiful.
mugo pine & birds nest shrub
https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1975/dwarf-mugo-pine/
https://www.thetreecenter.com/birds...t spruce shrub&utm_content=Bird’s Nest Spruce
lush and beautiful.
mugo pine & birds nest shrub
https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1975/dwarf-mugo-pine/
https://www.thetreecenter.com/birds...t spruce shrub&utm_content=Bird’s Nest Spruce
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One thing to consider if you are thinking of flowering shrubs is how much light that area receives. Without sufficient light, the shrubs may establish but might not flower or flower well. Also, whenever they flower most only flower for a certain period of time and for the rest you are left with looking at the leaf-only bush.
Do some research for your space. Some nice looking scrubs can grow higher and wider than you want once they mature. We have some Purple Sand Cherry which have a nice flower and fragrance but can get away from you and end up being quite spindly. Ours came with the house and weren't well attended so we inherited the latter.
We have a lot of Spirea. They are fairly compact and just about bullet-proof. Lots of flowering varieties and bees love them. I also like Potentilla and may plant some this Spring. Yellow flowers.
Do some research for your space. Some nice looking scrubs can grow higher and wider than you want once they mature. We have some Purple Sand Cherry which have a nice flower and fragrance but can get away from you and end up being quite spindly. Ours came with the house and weren't well attended so we inherited the latter.
We have a lot of Spirea. They are fairly compact and just about bullet-proof. Lots of flowering varieties and bees love them. I also like Potentilla and may plant some this Spring. Yellow flowers.
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@debiasio, nice to meet you!
You indicated that you wanted broad leaved, evergreen flowering sbrubs.
Though I'm in California now, I lived in the Cleveland area for many years before coming here. Our climate in Ohio is similar to yours, though, thankfully, we don't get nor'easters . . . .
I concur with everything @lenaitch said, and add:
You already have what looks like two rhododendrons. Those are really pretty when they bloom; they're a bit fussy about soil, but it appears that you have already met the conditions. "Rhodies" come in a variety of colors, and white, as well as combinations. I suspect that your blooming season is either here or coming up soon. If that's the case you might want to get a couple more Rhodies.
Hydrangeas bloom later in the warm season, and they have pretty broad leaves, and some turn a bright blue in acid soil, which you have, because Rhodies have to have acid soil, too.
Those are pictured below. Even when not blooming the plant has a lush, leafy look, though it's deciduous.
If you have to have evergreen, but don't want more Rhodies, maybe consider "Andromeda" or "Lily of the Valley" shrub. They're evergreen, and in addition to the flowers, they have pretty new leaves in spring, and berries in the fall.
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You indicated that you wanted broad leaved, evergreen flowering sbrubs.
Though I'm in California now, I lived in the Cleveland area for many years before coming here. Our climate in Ohio is similar to yours, though, thankfully, we don't get nor'easters . . . .
I concur with everything @lenaitch said, and add:
You already have what looks like two rhododendrons. Those are really pretty when they bloom; they're a bit fussy about soil, but it appears that you have already met the conditions. "Rhodies" come in a variety of colors, and white, as well as combinations. I suspect that your blooming season is either here or coming up soon. If that's the case you might want to get a couple more Rhodies.
Hydrangeas bloom later in the warm season, and they have pretty broad leaves, and some turn a bright blue in acid soil, which you have, because Rhodies have to have acid soil, too.
Those are pictured below. Even when not blooming the plant has a lush, leafy look, though it's deciduous.
If you have to have evergreen, but don't want more Rhodies, maybe consider "Andromeda" or "Lily of the Valley" shrub. They're evergreen, and in addition to the flowers, they have pretty new leaves in spring, and berries in the fall.
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You can quickly narrow the field of choices by paying attention to the hardiness zones of a selection, soil and moisture requirements.
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EDIT: EDIT:
My house is facing west.
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In addition to what great advice others have given, I would like to add the following:
Before you plant anything, take a sample of your soil to a garden center or your local ag service our county extension to have it tested. You want to see if you need to add anything to your soil to make it more welcome to new plants/shrubs.
As others have mentioned, make sure you check to see what your hardiness zone is. Probably 4, maybe 5. It all depends on how cold it gets in the winter.
Now is the time to go shopping, your local garden center will have a good selection of plants and shrubs to choose from. They will also help guide you to items that will meet your needs.
Another thing to look at before buying anything is how wide things will grow. You will need to keep this in mind when you are planning what goes where as well as when actually planting things.
Don't worry when you actually place them, as it will look strange and seem bare. The plants will fill in quickly when you feed and water them. It might take a season or two, but they will fill in.
One thing to also consider is a mix of plants and shrubs. Shrubs, if they flower, only flower one time. Perennials also typically only flower once a season. However, they don't all flower at the same time. So, plant a mix of perennials that bloom at different times.
And of course, there are Annuals. You can incorporate them in planters, in flower beds or in other ways.
Don't forget to use mulch, and water in thoroughly. And make sure to use a slow release fertilizer. Organic fertilizers are thend to be made with slow release (water insoluble nitrogen)
Before you plant anything, take a sample of your soil to a garden center or your local ag service our county extension to have it tested. You want to see if you need to add anything to your soil to make it more welcome to new plants/shrubs.
As others have mentioned, make sure you check to see what your hardiness zone is. Probably 4, maybe 5. It all depends on how cold it gets in the winter.
Now is the time to go shopping, your local garden center will have a good selection of plants and shrubs to choose from. They will also help guide you to items that will meet your needs.
Another thing to look at before buying anything is how wide things will grow. You will need to keep this in mind when you are planning what goes where as well as when actually planting things.
Don't worry when you actually place them, as it will look strange and seem bare. The plants will fill in quickly when you feed and water them. It might take a season or two, but they will fill in.
One thing to also consider is a mix of plants and shrubs. Shrubs, if they flower, only flower one time. Perennials also typically only flower once a season. However, they don't all flower at the same time. So, plant a mix of perennials that bloom at different times.
And of course, there are Annuals. You can incorporate them in planters, in flower beds or in other ways.
Don't forget to use mulch, and water in thoroughly. And make sure to use a slow release fertilizer. Organic fertilizers are thend to be made with slow release (water insoluble nitrogen)
Yes the one by the flag has some green-yellow leaves, and some spots. It has gotten worse since a storm knocked a tree down in our front yard, which provided some shade during the afternoon.
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No experience but reading it looks as if a dwarf cultivar may be suitable for you. Another that's common is Boxwood and we have a son in the 6 hardiness zone with Boxwood doing well.
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