Baffled by gardening - hedges

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by Unregistered, Nov 19, 2004.

  1. I have an 8 foot cedar fence along the rear of my yard (facing north) that borders a neighbours property. He has cedars along his side to about 10-12 feet but keeps over pruning leaving huge gaps and a resultant loss of privacy. My solution plant our own hedge... but what?

    The hedge will also be under my walnut tree which because of rigourous growth and despite continued best efforts, results in a fair bit of shade. I love the tree so it's going nowhere but I do want to cover up the bare fence year round.

    Help!!!
     
  2. HortLine

    HortLine Active Member 10 Years

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    Since many plants in the walnut family contain a toxic substance called "juglone", the roots of surrounding plants coming into contact with the roots of the walnut tree may cause the plant to die. And of course apart from walnut toxicity, competition for moisture, nutrition, and light could affect a hedge planted nearby.
    One plant that has been proved to survive under walnut trees, is fast growing, and tolerates shade is Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). You would need to be vigilant with watering during dry spells in summer, preferably by using a soaker hose.
    Hope this helps.
     
  3. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Plant an informal grouping of various shade tolerant shrubs that catch your interest, rather than a straight line of one kind of plant. Especially if clipped, any failures will stand out noticeably, whereas a loss here and there in an established, informal grouping may not matter so much to the screening effect.
     

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