Trees, especially evergreens make great privacy fences. There are a few varieties that really stand out when you think about privacy fences–They each have their own list of benefits and faults.
Arborvitae or Thuja varieties like “Green Giant” and “Steeplechase” are the fastest growing conifers, growing 3 to 5 feet in one year. They are incredibly dense, require very little maintenance, and give your garden that very desirable elegant evergreen look at a relatively low cost. And, they are hardy to a wide range of climates. Thujas are very symmetrical and require no pruning—they may be pruned for hedging or topiary designs, but are beautiful if untouched.
Hemlocks, very popular in Canada and Northern USA, are the most cold-hardy of the privacy trees, surviving well into the arctic. They do not tolerate warmer climates well, and they are vulnerable to a few pests. However, they are excellent privacy trees with distinct foliage and a long tradition of use in landscaping. And of course, the ever-popular southern alternative, the Leyland Cypress, which stays tough in the hottest and most humid regions of the country.
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Fall is the best time for planting those lovely flowering shrubs–it ensures that your will have an excellent show in your garden next spring. One of the showiest garden favorites is hydrangea. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planting yours this fall.
- Planting your hydrangea early in the fall would be ideal, if you plant them in the summer, they will need a lot more water in the beginning to establish the root system.
- Most varieties will thrive in full sun to part shade as long as they are planted in moist, rich soil. So choose a nice spot in your garden with good soil, or amend if you must.
- Water deeply once a week, and maybe more, if the weather is particularly hot or dry. Hydrangeas love moist soil, but just like most of the plants in your garden, watering too much will cause root rot.
- Fertilization of hydrangea could vary greatly depending on your intentions because certain elements of the fertilizer will effect the soil pH, which is a major determinant of bloom color in the pink/blue Hydrangea varieties, but a good all-purpose slow release fertilizer is always a good idea.
- Always do research about your particular variety before doing anything. There are so many different varieties hydrangea that have different needs for things like pruning, light, moisture, and nutriment.
Good luck with all of your fall planting! Check out two of my favorite Hydrangeas, Hydrangea Annabelle and the ever-popular Endless Summer Hydrangea.
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As any experienced gardener knows, moderation and balance are the keys to success in any landscape. This means that open spaces with plenty of sunlight should be evened out with shadier areas too. Sometimes it can be challenging to find plants which will grow just as well in shaded places, but fortunately we’ve got plenty of options for those sun-spare nooks and crannies.
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Try an The most common garden Irises are the german bearded Irises, Siberian Irises, and the Japanese Irises. Most of the irises you buy will be cultivars of species from one of these three categories. The Iris is a striking plant with a unique bloom shape–one of the most readily identifiable flowers in any garden. Most iris will be some shade of blue or purple, adding a very cool feel to your garden. Many spring flowers have overtly warm tones, yellows and reds, but irises make a nice contrast.
The bearded irises are easy to cultivate and propagate, and have become very popular in gardens. They grow in any good free garden soil, the smaller and more delicate species needing just a little organic material, either peat or loam, for better drainage. The Japanese and Siberian Irises do well in very moist soil, some varieties even work well as water plants. If planted this fall, your iris bulbs or rhisomes will become well established over the winter and give a great performance next spring.
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