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Flowers with year-round foliage?
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Posted by tammieaw Zone 6, NJ (My Page) on Fri, Mar 4, 05 at 18:18
I am a beginner, so please be kind to me! We just moved into a house from an apartment in North-Central Jersey (NE Morris County). I am looking for a rather low-growing - 2-3 foot - plant for the front of a porch. I want to cover an open space on the front of the porch where the lattice-work doesn't meet the ground. Because we are renting, I'm not comfortable with anything that climbs. I've been considering dwarf azaleas for this area, but think it may be a tad too sunny there. I think the foliage remains on these plants year-round - is that correct? Foliage year-round is needed, but I do not want any evergreen shrubs or hedges.
If I put in azalea plants this Spring, what can be expected from them this year? Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably priced nursery in this area? I am tempted to order them from Spring Hills catalog, but will be pleased to find them locally. I also need herbs and veggies! Sorry this is so long - I'm just so psyched to get digging and winter sowing! Thanks! Tammie |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Flowers with year-round foliage?
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| if you want to cover an open space, I wouldn't order from a catalog. quality is good, but specimens are usually small and you might be disappointed. I love abelia. they don't lose all the leaves, fragrant clusters of trumpet shaped flowers. not expensive. good luck! |
RE: Flowers with year-round foliage?
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- Posted by JimShy z7 Brooklyn, NY (My Page) on
Mon, Mar 7, 05 at 15:29
| You should also consider mountain laurel (Kalmia species): evergreen, very tough, and (to me, at least) a prettier habit than many rhododendrons. I also second amyg26 on buying from a local nursery if you don't want to wait years for a little cutting to turn into a full-sized shrub. If you're feeling gutsy, there are a number of newer camellias that are hardy in your zone, if well-protected the first few years -- again, ask at nurseries to make sure you're getting a proper type for your climate and position. Jim |
RE: Flowers with year-round foliage?
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Amy & Jim - Thanks for your ideas. In checking both plants, though, I notice that they are rather tall. I only want something about 2'-3' tall. Since they will be right in front of the porch, where I hope to sit and watch the river across the street, I'd prefer that they do not attract bees, either! Can either of these plants be kept at a small size without too much effort?
Again, thanks for your ideas! Being that there is snow falling as I type, I don't think I'll *ever* be able to plant!! ;-) Tammie |
RE: Flowers with year-round foliage?
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- Posted by Lee1 z7 Long Island (My Page) on
Fri, Mar 11, 05 at 16:34
| Prunus'Otto Luyken' (Cherry Laurel)and Buxus'Wintergem' (Boxwood) both grow 2-4 feet in height and can be easily maintained. The 'Otto Luyken' gets insignificant white flowers in early spring (which could draw insects) and the boxwood is an evergreen which I use frequently in exactly the same set up that you have there because it is low maintenance and just the right height under a porch. Hope this helps. |
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