My plan is to use two spruce cultivars, perhaps a Picea punges 'fat albert' and Picea orientalis 'skylands' as part of a quasi screen to hide a corner of my property which must be left a wood pile. The spot is midway up an 800 ft gentle slope. One spot will be in the sun from 10 to 5 over the summer. The other from sun-up till just before 5. Clay base soil but thanks to the hill it drains well zoysia grass taking over... An interesting variable are two 25 ft walnuts growing up through the weeds so juglone tolerance is necessary. A pair of 8ft attractive redbuds growing in the front of the pile. They are loosing their lower branches though and no longer providing screening. Invasive Honeysuckle and annoying Grape vine in the weeds on my neighbor's side so I have to leave a 4-6 foot path for my mower to pass between the screen and the "weed pile" The attachment is a MS Paint sketch. So my questions are: 1 - Can I expect to grow both these Piceas here? I understand the Skylands might benefit from more shade so perhaps it should swap spots with Fat Albert? 2 - I'll take random shrub suggestions. Otherwise I love barberries (Berberis amurensis), a freaky variegated Holly (ilex) and viburnum.
Probably what I will do. Gotta figure out how to get a casual look out of the two trees. Perhaps if I have no two matching shrubs in the mix it will do. Having the bigger yard nothing is really 'manicured'
