I need to identify some evergreen shrubs for a foundation plant. It needs to be in the 3-5 foot wide and high. It will be on the west side of the house behind a coral bark maple.
Hilary, I like Anise (Illicium parviflorum ) and although it can grow taller than 5' it is easy to control with pruning. The olive green foliage looks good all year. Another possiblility would be the inkberry holly, Ilex glabra 'Compacta.'
Erica, good point on the Anise, since it can grow large it might be an issue. Thinking of color behind the coral bark maple, the anise has a tendency to have a much more yellow foliage, whereas the inkberry will provide a much darker green. I think the darker green will provide a nice contrast with the Coral Bark Maple. The spring color of the coral bark foliage is a light green, again, close to the Anise, but the inkberry will be much darker.
You might also consider some of the smaller cultivars of Pieris, or andromeda, which, in addition to shiny evergreen foliage will provide clusters of lily-of-the-valley-like flowers in early spring.
Thanks for the wonderful suggestions. When I checked on the mahonia it said 'full sun' in zone 7. I have not used this before. My experience with shrubs that require full or part sun behind the Coral bark is that they are leggy and more prone to disease. Any other experience?
Hilary...I have had good luck with the mahonia 'Fortunei' and 'soft caress' in semi shady areas. They may have not been as shady as your situation. Have you seen the Dwarf green Aucuba?
Globe arborvatae is a favorite that grows to the size you are looking for. It is easy maintanence because you don't have to trim it, and the needles are soft. The only downfall is that if you buy small, it is a slow growing bush. However it is a very dense bush that is good for foundaton planting for it's insulation factors.
Hilary, I would say that if it is deep shade (shady all the time) then most plants will be slow to establish. What about Camellia sasanqua 'White Doves' which has dark green foliage and white flowers, a lower growing type that may work in your setting.
Erica, I have a large Maple tree at the end of my front porch and my arborvatae are flurishing. I live in northeast Pa. so it's not paticularly hot here. It's true arborvatae do better in the sun but will grow fine in a shady area as well.
If your house is red brick, the White Dove mentioned by Erica would probably be better. But
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for someone with a white house, the pink color blooms may stand out better. You always have to watch out for an ugly color contrast between plant colors as well as the house color.
It should do well.
Erica, my experience is soft caress mahonia is a very slow grower in shade. Is this normal in Atlanta?
I may do the Camellia or the mahonia. Thanks for all your help.
If your house is red brick, the White Dove mentioned by Erica would probably be better. But ...»