I have an area I am trying to come up with a design for, that for the life me I am having a hard time finding a plant will work in this challenging location. The area is in the backyard of a rsidence and is on a fairly steep slope. The soil is extremely dry and rocky shale, very little organic matter. Really its mostly fill material that the builder used for the final yard grade. The area I would descrbe as dappled shade throughout the day and is in zone 6. The homeowner wants some screening evergreen plantings to form a living fence of sorts and block the view down the hill of a bunch of trash and brush in the woods. I figured maybe pocket planting using some good loam soil and using either Arbovitae or Viburnums, and without pocket planting or bringing in a bunch of topsoil, I dont see much thriving in this soil. Any suggestions?
Perhaps a small retaining wall or even a series of small pocket retaining walls could be budgeted for this project. One thing to keep in mind with conifers would be to keep with more vertical accents rather than allowing for something that has a huge horizontal spread. For example Black Hills Spruce would easily survive and thrive until it quickly widens out to say 35 - 40 foot.
I'd look at Columnar Norway Spruce or any number of "Compacta" or "Inversa" varietals as well.
I'd go more vertical on a slope as it would mean an easier transition for a B&B'd tree and depending on the slope the tree would in most cases need less trimming; less stress on any lower branches and give a cleaner look at maturity.
Though I am not sure of the definition of steep in this case might be. Ever transplant a tree from a hillside to a level area? Never easy. Now do this in reverse.
I'd ask as to what else may or may not be growing on a similar slope in the area as well. What do mature trees look like? Can you find another instance of pine (pinus, picea, etc.) A comparison of another mature tree could be an invaluable guide for down the line so to say. Trees on hills have to fight gravity more so as they age. So thick horizontal lines (boughs and limbs) will probably add stress overtime. You could prune some of the lower limbs but that in itself becomes problematic and may leave the tree looking a bit lopsided. Going vertical eliminates a host of potential problems in the long run in my experience.
- beads (Forrest Gardening and Horticulture Master with hilly landscape and edibles most folks have never heard of...)
I would be inclined to think horizontal.....for reason of having a lower sense of gravity.
We've planted many burms....not hillsides.....in going over your response....going vertical would allow for a stream lined gravity....kinda makes sense
Interrupted too many times in the past day or so to include using the pockets or retaining wall as a possible security feature. I have learned that people tend to avoid low walls particularly at night as no one wants to go head over heels because they can't remember just where that wall was. Possible cross sell if applicable.
The vertical works long term as you mention. Many clients here have hilly property but finding good sources for verticals can be a challenge.
good suggestions everyone. Do you think the Juniper would do well in the medium shade? The retaining walls are not feasable due to a tight budget, but I think pocket planting might be the way to go. To say the soil is poor would be an understatement.
Jumiper and most other needle leaf evergreens will not do well in partial shade. Most broadleaf evergreens would do well. The combination of the poor soil and slope limit the broadleafs, though.
Western Red Cedar might be a good choice for bigger vertical. I'd say Hemlock, but the wooly aldegid (sp?) is a huge problem with them. Mahonia would do well in crappy soil (looks similar to holly, but from western U.S in similar conditions of poor soils and dry periods).
Some that would do well include Autumn Olive (invasive in a lot of places, banned in some), Arrowwood, Red Twig Dogwood, Serviceberry (shadblow), and yews will do allright if you pocket plant.
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