Companion Shrub?

[grendelsma]

I have a small hosta garden (that I'm hoping to expand!). At the moment, it is adjacent to a row of arbor vitae that provide a privacy screen between my yard and our busy street. I am not a fan of the arbor vitae, because they block too much airflow into the yard, and I prefer evergreen shrubs with leaves rather than needles. So, I'm planning to replace that with a different kind of privacy screen. Do you all have suggestions for something that won't be in competition with my hostas? Or, should I resign myself to getting a fence in that location?

Thanks for taking the time with this new gardener. I hope I'm not cluttering up this informative board!

[kaylyred]

Welcome to the forums! It's like kindergarten here--there's no such thing as a dumb question, and please don't ever think that you're "cluttering" the board by asking something we will likely all learn from.

When you said evergreen, with leaves instead of needles, the first thing that jumped to my mind was boxwood. I don't grow them, myself, but I know that other hosta people do. I'm sure someone with more firsthand experience will have some great answers for you.

[party_music50]

I'd say Rhododendron.

[kHT]

Sun or shade? Or where are you? Welcome!! We here in the Pacific Northwest have Hydrangea in our shade garden. Not a pine lover either.

[grendelsma]

Thanks for the ideas and the cordial welcome.

Boxwood and rhododendron are good ideas. I'm in NE Pennsylvania, and this area of my yard is part shade. I do love hydrangeas, and I think they would grow well there, but they wouldn't give me any privacy from the road in the winter. I live in a 100-year-old farmhouse, which is only a few feet back from the road in what is now a fairly busy urban neighborhood. So, I do want some protection from the traffic and privacy from passers-by, but maybe not such a thick wall as the arbor vitae give.

Thanks again.

[NancyL]

I would agree with hydrangeas - especially when you need privacy cover. They do that really well. If you want some more structure, height and flowers, Kolkwitizia is nice too. It grows pretty quickly and is easy care, a pruning every few years to increase blooming. Bloom length is dependent on heat - they are lasting well this spring. This was taken yesterday. It can take 50-60% shade. The hostas are Komodos and Abbys.

[Schattenfreude]

I'm not sure you can have your cake and eat it, too.

Personally, I'd much prefer the privacy afforded by the arborvitae hedge year-round than an increase in air circulation, especially if a busy street were present.

Kevin in KC

[thy]

Welcome to the forums

I do not know for your area, but here all boxwoods are facing a new fungus illness - Cylindrocladium buxicola and the new small plants have it too.

If I understand you correct you want somthing evergreen with leaves

Rhododendron are nice but take up a lot of space.
A fence do not take much space and you can plant right up against it, but it will not protect you against the noise as much as the arborvitae or similar.

Sorry, no good ideas

Pia

[thy]

What about a fence with ivy... not the poisionous one ... the other

[Eleven]

I inherited yards with lots of full grown Rhododendrons, azaleas, and evergreens that provide buffering. Dividing the front and back yards is a rhodie wall, then chain fence (previous homeowners had dogs), and then evergreen shrubbery (boxwoods?). The back is finished with rhodies and then a wooden privacy fence. We have a wonderful sense of privacy with no loss of airflow. Of course, whatever you choose will be limited by your space.