Posted by Higgs Boson on May 5, 2010, 8:09 pm
On May 5, 1:42 pm, u...@att.net (Una) wrote:
> Judging by the photo, the location is at the end of the front walk, at the
> sidewalk, and in full sun year round.
> If I didn't mind watering, I might plant azaleas and some large specimen
> rocks. But I think I would rather have small trees there, that would make
> a refreshing cool pool of shade on the otherwise hot sidewalk in front of
> the house. Pick something with interesting bark and nice form, and not
> too big. Decide if you require evergreen or if deciduous is acceptable.
> Decide if highly attractive flowers are important, or not. Re form, I'd
> be looking for trees that can be pruned to a T shape: single trunk and a
> wide low crown.
You're reading my mind! Most of these are also my requirements.
(Except it's too exposed for azalea.) I'm also a "nice bark" and
"form"
freak, and definitely it can't be too big. I'd prefer evergreen, all
things
considered; I really want low maintenance. Flowers would be nice,
but not the prime determinant. Doubt if I can go for actual trees
unless
they can be really constrained, but am keeping mind open.
Tx for helpful suggestions.
Persephone
> For ideas walk around your neighborhood, visit nearby botanical gardens
> and nurseries, and look at trees wherever you go around town.
> Una
Posted by Phisherman on May 7, 2010, 2:41 pm
On Wed, 5 May 2010 11:38:25 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson
>OK, I finally got those big bushes removed from front of house. (Had
>posted earlier for ways to remove stumps.) Turns out, after I
>thoroughly wetted the base, gardener was able to dig it out, except
>ran into little problem -- water line! Other stump coming out Friday,
>not on water line, one hopes!
>Here's current view:
><http://tinypic.com/r/1zn8lli/5 >
> (Hope link works!!!)
>NOW: What to put in their place? I have been kicking around ideas,
>getting more and more confused.
>Need your recommendations. This is So. Calif coastal, North facing.
>Plenty of sun all year.
>1. Expen$ive decorative planter with tall-ish shrub (what kind????)
>Gardener cautions it might be stolen.
>2. Ordinary terra cotta planter with (tall) (short) shrub, but not
>too spreading, or it will get in the way of the front walk like
>the old shrubs did.
>3. Home Depot has blueberry bushes that don't spread too much (it
>said). Have been waiting decades for blueberries that will work w/o
>winter chill. (I don't care if people pick a few as they pass)
>4. Forget pots, shrubs, trees, etc. Create a low-lying semi-
>circular area with pebbles/rocks/succulents/cacti.
>5. Your suggestions?
>WOULD REALLY VALUE YOUR INPUT ON THESE FIRST THOUGHTS.
>TIA
>Persephone
>T
Planting annuals will give you more time to think about it, plus give
you some color. For perennials crassula and sedums are good choices
requiring little water and little care. I recall seeing beautiful ice
plants in So CA--they seem to take the salty air just fine and have a
brilliant metallic appearance.
I got blueberry bushes that are growing well in east TN. I have the
climate and soil condiitons for them. They may need special care to
grow well in So CA--is your soil alkaline? Without bird netting you
wont get many berries, plus from a landscaping view it won't win a
prize (there are much better looking plants for your front yard).
Blueberry bushes, at least the wild ones, like dappled sunlight on the
edge of a wooded area.
XML site map
> sidewalk, and in full sun year round.
> If I didn't mind watering, I might plant azaleas and some large specimen
> rocks. But I think I would rather have small trees there, that would make
> a refreshing cool pool of shade on the otherwise hot sidewalk in front of
> the house. Pick something with interesting bark and nice form, and not
> too big. Decide if you require evergreen or if deciduous is acceptable.
> Decide if highly attractive flowers are important, or not. Re form, I'd
> be looking for trees that can be pruned to a T shape: single trunk and a
> wide low crown.