| Author |
Message |
    
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 454
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 5, 2004 - 6:05 am: |     |
The front yard of our little cape cod bunker needs some color. There are some decent, and decently maintained green bushes, but I love azaleas and similar to give that spring-time shot of color.
Anyone know how early I could put some in this Spring? We moved here last year too late for this sort of thing (and there was snow, come to think of it). I'm a garden dabbler, so I seek more informed folks ideas. Plus, the climate is just enough different from our old home that I feel uncertain!
Thanks much! |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 2320
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 5, 2004 - 7:07 am: | |
Azaleas should do well. They can handle full sun to considerable shade as well as fairly dry conditions. |
Maplewoody
Real Name
Username: Maplewoody
Post Number: 486
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 5, 2004 - 7:09 am: | |
Buy the largest Azalea you can get, they are slow growers! |
thegoodsgt
Real Name
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 400
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 5, 2004 - 8:44 am: | |
A source for answers to all your questions:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/#subs |
wharfrat
Citizen
Username: Wharfrat
Post Number: 1003
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 5, 2004 - 9:00 am: | |
Cynicalgirl-
Your neighborhood is full of wonderful shrubs, blooming at different times of the year. You would do well by walking along Midland Blvd. each month through the growing season an make not of the shrubs in bloom.
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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 455
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 5, 2004 - 9:34 am: | |
Thanks to all. I'm reading that forum for some advice, the goodsgt. Maplewoody, I like your thought, too. My old house had a mess of mature azaleas that were there when we moved in (11 yr ago) so I never knew what it would take to start fresh.
Anyone know how dogwoods do around here? We had some previously, and I'm considering...
NEED SPRING COLOR!!! Thanks to all for your advice.... |
wharfrat
Citizen
Username: Wharfrat
Post Number: 1004
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 5, 2004 - 10:42 am: | |
We have a Kousa dogwood. It is not "native", but it is disease resistant. It thrives in full sunlight and can be kept as a shrub, or trimmed to look like a tree.
It also flowers in June, which is pretty cool.
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Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 982
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 5, 2004 - 11:01 am: | |
Consider rhodys as well for spring color and for filling in space. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2824
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 5, 2004 - 1:50 pm: | |
Hydrangeas are good too... |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 52
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 5, 2004 - 8:01 pm: | |
...and hydrangeas come in such amazing colors now.
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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 460
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 6, 2004 - 7:23 am: | |
We've got some rhodys...Say, we're zone 6, right? I was reading the site referred to above, on azaleas, trying to learn what types work around here.
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barbara wilhelm
Citizen
Username: Bartist
Post Number: 155
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 6, 2004 - 11:04 am: | |
Azaleas bloom at different times. So if you want a lot of color at the same time buy the same color azealas. Williams on Miesel Ave just past route 22 has a nice selection but go early. Also on the corner of Highland and Midland there is the most beautiful azalea that I have ever seen. Rumor has it that is was dug up and brought here from Newark and is about 80 years ago. |
Alicia Vance
Citizen
Username: Avance
Post Number: 3
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 2:44 pm: | |
You can plant azaleas and trees now, although it might be kind of messy. Ideally, plant things like that from late March to late April.
Dogwoods do well in this area and a disease that was killing a lot of them a few years back (can't remember the name of it) seems to be under control. So it's mostly safe to plant them again. They do well in partial shade but you'll get more blossoms in full sun. Sunset Cherokee is a nice variety, nice leaf color in summer and fall, and beautiful flowers in spring. |
mim
Citizen
Username: Mim
Post Number: 324
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 4:04 pm: | |
I assume you want broadleaf evergreens, correct? (That's your typical foundation planting.) My azaleas aren't real happy near the house -- I've read that could be due to the foundation's alkalinity (azaleas like acid soil), although I tend to think it's just drier there. Andromeda and mountain laurel would be good alternatives; I also like sarcococca, though I've never grown it myself. (I do see it around, however, so it must be hardy.) |
Lydia
Citizen
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 226
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 5:02 pm: | |
When we moved here we had a mess of old Rhodeys and Yews and sad bushes that weren't flowering anymore - I tried to coax them to bloom and did some serious pruning but they looked like Dr. Suess pictures when I was done. I hired a landscape architect last spring who took a few walks w/ me around my yard and discussed what I like and drew up plans that I could do myself or hire someone to do. I have different plants that flower one after the other, and the yard looks lush and organized but still informal. With the new structure, the plantings I add myself compliment the whole design, instead of sitting alone amidst horticultural chaos.
The plans cost less than $200 and she did a job that was worth easily 10X's that. She also came and supervised the plantings and placement and gives advice when I'm not sure how something will fare up here.
Privateline me if you want her info or if you want to see some of her work.
Good luck!
Lydia |
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