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nafex - Re: [NAFEX] Off topic - landscaping advice wanted

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  • From: "Stephen Sadler" <Docshiva@Docshiva.org>
  • To: "'North American Fruit Explorers'" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Off topic - landscaping advice wanted
  • Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:50:32 -0700

Also - there are some ornamental dogwoods and Japanese maples that would
probably fit the bill; and several trees or shrubs that could be trained to
the desired shape, I just don't know how much maintenance you want to do.

~ S

-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Stephen Sadler
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 7:36 PM
To: 'North American Fruit Explorers'
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Off topic - landscaping advice wanted

How about aronia melanocarpa? More than hardy enough, makes great juice and
jelly, may hold itself to 3 feet wide, looks good, grows 5 feet tall, will
love the drainage, will stand light shade.

~ Stephen

-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of list@ginda.us
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 7:54 AM
To: NAFEX
Subject: [NAFEX] Off topic - landscaping advice wanted

Well, it's not completely off-topic, as it would be fun to get a
fruiting plant. . .

I have a sort of built-in concrete planter between the driveway, the
house, and the staircase to the front door. It's 3' by 3' wide, and
at least 4' deep - I doubt there's actually a "bottom" but there's
probably not great dirt lower down, since there's foundation and
stuff under there. Right now it holds a large arborvita, which is
currently weighed down with snow and bent over the staircase.
There's a matching arborvita on the other side of the garage (at the
corner of the house) and a much nicer one at the other corner of the
house.

The arborvita that blocks the staircase has to go. I am looking for
a suitable replacement. I might replace the one on the other side of
the driveway at the same time, for symmetry. Whatever I get needs to

*thrive in zone 6, with the protection of the house
*do okay in shade from nearby white oaks
*stay no more than 3' wide when mature
*be satisfied with the 3'x3' pot
*be at least 4' tall. Anything up to 15' or 20' could be okay, and a
mature height of 8'-10' is probably optimal
*look nice year round

The house faces south east, and white oaks don't cast deep shade, so
there's enough light for many plants (the arborvita is pretty happy,
and I grow impatiens and yew and grass in slightly heavier shade
nearby.) But maybe not enough light for fruit? The soil is
probably somewhat acid, this being New England, and is otherwise
pretty good. Sort of mixed loam and chunks of granite and rotting
oak leaves. Actually, I wonder if the proximity of the concrete
changes the pH of the soil?

Ultimately, I suppose I'll go to some nearby nurseries and see what's
available, but I'd like some ideas of what I ought to look for.
I've been experimenting with cold-hardy camellias, thinking that
might be fun, but they aren't reliable enough for such a prominent
position. I've also considered an upright sort of blueberry - one
with red stems might be nice in the winter, but they grow awfully
slowly, and I'm not sure there's enough light there.

Thanks,
Ginda

eastern Mass., zone 6, digging out slowly. . .
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