Zone 5.
I own a center hall colonial. My planting scheme in the front of the house
is going to be a bit formal. I was thinking of putting some skyrocket
junipers, and perhaps some oakleaf hydrangeas surrounded by boxwoods.
Wondering what else you might use in this situation. Going for a
symmetrical look.
Thanks.

Hi Jack,

Oakleaf hydrangea is not a formal shrub and is not evergreen. Sounds like you have full to part sun. Are you looking for something that blooms? How tall and wide?

Newt

I just really like the oakleaf's, thats why I wanted them in front. The
look we want is less leafy, but some blooming (if that makes any sense.)

I always see lots of plants in the nursery I like, I just never know where
to put them !! For example, saw a beautiful mockorange that I have no idea
where I would put three of them


"Newt" wrote in message
...

Jack Wrote:
Zone 5.
I own a center hall colonial. My planting scheme in the front of the
house is going to be a bit formal. I was thinking of putting some
skyrocket junipers, and perhaps some oakleaf hydrangeas surrounded by
boxwoods.
Wondering what else you might use in this situation. Going for a
symmetrical look.
Thanks.


Hi Jack,

Oakleaf hydrangea is not a formal shrub and is not evergreen. Sounds
like you have full to part sun. Are you looking for something that
blooms? How tall and wide?

Newt


--
Newt

Hi Jack,

I haven't forgotten you, just trying to come up with some ideas here. I don't think you ever answered my questions, so help me out here.

How tall?
How wide (how deep is the bed)?
Full sun, part sun, part shade, shade?
Evergreen since it's in front of the house?

Also, how about Irish Yew instead of the sky rocket junipers? They have more girth, though they will get tall if you don't trim the tops.
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/tabaf3.htm

One more observation on my part. If you put the narrow and tall junipers (or any other tall plant that isn't rounded) on the outer corners, then you will be accenting the boxy shape of the house. They are like an exclamation point. You might want to look at some landscape design books, especially on Colonial houses.

If it were my house, I would definately use evergreens as a base, especially in zone 5.

Newt

Is this a Colonial, or Colonial Revival house?

--
David J. Bockman, Fairfax, VA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7)
email:
http://beyondgardening.com/Albums

Jack wrote:
Zone 5.
I own a center hall colonial. My planting scheme in the front of the house
is going to be a bit formal. I was thinking of putting some skyrocket
junipers, and perhaps some oakleaf hydrangeas surrounded by boxwoods.
Wondering what else you might use in this situation. Going for a
symmetrical look.
Thanks.


Maybe you should spend a day at Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown and
Jamestown. Note the plants they used and how they were arranged.

"Jack" wrote in message news:C8che.286$KQ6.18@trndny02...
Zone 5.
I own a center hall colonial. My planting scheme in the front of the
house
is going to be a bit formal. I was thinking of putting some skyrocket
junipers, and perhaps some oakleaf hydrangeas surrounded by boxwoods.
Wondering what else you might use in this situation. Going for a
symmetrical look.
Thanks.

You should avoid the symmetric look. If this is for a foundation planting, I
would avoid skyrocket junipers since they really do skyrocket once
established. You want something that is a little slower growing. One common
mistake is also to plant too close to the house.

Where are you located?

-al sung
Rapid Realm Technology, Inc.
Hopkinton, MA
Zone 6a