landscape planning for spring

As I make spring landscaping plans, I need advice on a particular area:

I have a wall in the front of my house (below the porch) and it varies in height from 9 feet up to about 4 feet. There is about 3 feet space between the wall and the front stairs/sidewalk.

I would like to plant something that is evergreen and grows quickly and easy to manage. My intention is to have the wall masked by greenery.

Would anyone have any suggestion to a variety or species that may do well in this application?

Thanks,

Martin

 

Hello martin_30

It would probablly help to know what planting zone or geographic region you are in as well as which direction your wall faces (North/South/etc). Is it a free-standing wall that you want to hide on both sides or is it the foundation wall of your porch? Do you mind if the plant anchors itself to the wall, or will you want to guide and hold it there with a trellis, wires or have it free-standing? How dry is the area you want to plant in (or is there irrigation available)? Although you can replace the soil if absolutely necessary, what type is already there... (too many questions, I know...)

There are a number of evergreen or semi-evergreen vines that might suit your needs or you could use some shrubs like a hedge. The varieties which will tolerate your particular climate and conditions will depend on the above information.

If you get back to us on this forum, someone should be able to give you some suggestions...

Howie

 

Wall is part of foundation. Wall faces west (gets plenty of sun). I live in Pennsylvania, so we have all four seasons. Would like an evergreen type schrub or tree that grows quickly and can easily be pruned. Don't want anything that anchors to the wall.

Thanks

 

Hi again Martin_30

Any of the junipers or cedars would probably do the trick, but take a look at the upright form of the yew (Taxus sp.) if you have any books, catologues, internet or (even better) a local nursery. Yews are usually a dark green with red fleshy berries (not edible - the seeds are considered poisonous) grow relatively quickly, hold their form well and take very well to pruning and shaping. There are also yellow tinged varieties available.

If you are in a garden centre, it wouldn't hurt to look around a bit to see what else they have & I'm sure there are lots of other suggestions out there - (Anyone...?)...

Good luck with your search

Howie