Well you don't want anything fruiting as that could damage the patio I'll take the liberty to advise.

I'd think in your situation, a selection of Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) that is a sterile clone would be perfect. Sterile meaning that no seeds are viable, so no weeds. They also are very drought tolerant and disease free. They are not evergreen.

Some sterile clones (sterile triploids) which also bloom longer than other Rose of Sharon's are:
'Aphrodite' - rose pink with deep red eye.
'Diana' - pure white.
'Helene' - white with deep red eye.
'Minerva' - ruffled lavender pink with reddish purple eye.

Source: Sunset Western Garden Book (1997).

Thank you so much, Conifers, for your helpful response. I forgot to mention that my patio has eastern exposure with morning sun until about 12noon or 1pm. Do Rose of Sharon require full sun or do you think they would be okay in this area? Also, about how tall do they get?

Rose of sharon leaf out very late, much later than the other shrubs I have in my garden, so not much privacy early in the season. Unpruned, they'll grow to an easy 8-12 feet, but they bloom on new wood so are easily pruned early in the spring.

Rose of Sharon will be fine. The privacy issue laceyvail describes really isn't that big of an issue.

They're perfect for your situation. Prune anytime although spring is when I prune mine too.

Dax

I have viburnums and sambucus and jeepers, just a heck of a lot of fruiting species around my patio. My patio is certainly not ruined! A hose and sometimes a bucket of sudsy water is sometimes needed, so I'm not sure I understand the ruined point of view.

Since a friend of mine in zone 6 just lost 2 of her Rose of Sharon's, it's not something I would suggest and it does leaf out late and since you said you planted the lilacs as a privacy screen, I take it that you want privacy, Rose of Sharon won't provide that. I would suggest something along the lines of Calycanthus floridus, Lindera benzoin, Hydrangea quercifolia or Physocarpus opulifolius. Staphylea trifolia is another one that would work good. Or a mix of them all?

Hi terryr,

You're a bit flimsy with your words. Staining a patio is a precautionary warning. Heck you said yourself that washing is necessary. I personally could care less, but there are some people who might of wish they were warned, hence your silly statement about I don't know what I'm talking about.

So Rose of Sharon leafs out a little bit later. Who cares? You compare privacy with a week or so later in leafing out as 'non-privacy' - how silly.

And your friend in zone 6 - "crud happens baby." Early spring freezes dominated across the US as well as despicable winter weather. There were people in zones 6 and 7 losing Acer palmatum left and right.

Maybe now you understand. And frankly, there's more than one shrub for this situation. I'd appreciate a little brain-work on your part to keep this thread flowing, rather than to embark on a mission to tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. Rose of Sharon is maitenance free, disease and insect free; flowers practically it's whole season in leaf; And can be pruned anytime while other shrubs can be more difficult to the homeowner.

I don't argue for "my" pick, I'm just here to help. And certainly I don't bash other peoples thoughts. There's more to do in life than hang around and pick and choose works from others posts and regurgitate the truth.

Dax

I second the Rose of Sharon as an option. I am in zone 5 and mine, which, only 2 weeks ago, had nothing but bare stubs after very severe pruning in early Spring, is now almost fully leafed out. Though it is not my favorite plant (it came with the house), it has been extremely low maintenance (except for severe pruning which I choose to do to keep it small) and provides blooms late in the season when most of other blooms in the area are long gone.

Dax,
Please do share exactly where I said that you didn't know what you were talking about. I never said anything about staining. I use a bucket of soapy water to get the bird poop off, not any staining. Please re-read my post. And please, like the friend of yours in Southern IL, please do not put words into my mouth that I never uttered. I suggested 5 different types of shrubs that the PO could use instead of only using my brain work to suggest one. I'm also confused on the bashing aspect you feel. Because I didn't oooh and awwwww over your Rose of Sharon suggestion? Please. This is an open forum for people to give their suggestions and to share their experiences.

You read what you wrote:

I have viburnums and sambucus and jeepers, just a heck of a lot of fruiting species around my patio. My patio is certainly not ruined! A hose and sometimes a bucket of sudsy water is sometimes needed, so I'm not sure I understand the ruined point of view.
Since a friend of mine in zone 6 just lost 2 of her Rose of Sharon's, it's not something I would suggest and it does leaf out late and since you said you planted the lilacs as a privacy screen, I take it that you want privacy, Rose of Sharon won't provide that. I would suggest something along the lines of Calycanthus floridus, Lindera benzoin, Hydrangea quercifolia or Physocarpus opulifolius. Staphylea trifolia is another one that would work good. Or a mix of them all?

Dax

And??

hence your silly statement about I don't know what I'm talking about.

You compare privacy with a week or so later in leafing out as 'non-privacy' - how silly.

And your friend in zone 6 - "crud happens baby." Early spring freezes dominated across the US as well as despicable winter weather. There were people in zones 6 and 7 losing Acer palmatum left and right.

I'd appreciate a little brain-work on your part to keep this thread flowing, rather than to embark on a mission to tell me I don't know what I'm talking about.

And certainly I don't bash other peoples thoughts. There's more to do in life than hang around and pick and choose works from others posts and regurgitate the truth.

Ahhh sorry Terry. My apologies - I'm an idiot.

Hi Velvety-Blue Elvis,

Mine are about ready to bloom. I guess the truth of the matter after having read another thread just moments ago (and I did know they leafed out 'later') is that these shrubs can be late at times to start in the garden. It's really difficult to comment when one year they might leaf out a month later for a person than the previous five years. I've seen some variation in my pruned 6 footers, but it's usual for me that they begin blooming the end or middle of June. As to growth. I planted 2-gallon plant root-systems in 2001 and the plants were maybe 2 feet tall but stocky (probably were pruned/pinched back for several years before being sold) - and.........they grow moderately fast to answer your question. Mine already this year have already put on a foot of growth as I look out my window.

Hope this helps. Please don't be mad at me terry.

Regards, Dax

I went and bought five more lilacs. The neighbors barking dogs are going to be the end of us. Likely if they don't stop barking we'll be the end of them. I've never met a dog I didn't like before. :~/

We're planning to put a eight foot tall privacy fence on the property line. I want something to either grow fast in front or bush out and be thin but tall behind the lilacs. Obviously they'd have to end up being monster bushes as these particular lilacs are to be 12' tall. I don't want to see the hounds from hell and I don't want them to see me.

So, any suggestion on putting the ROS behind the lilacs? How tall do they get? I'd probably have thought dwarf lilacs in front and the ROS behind if I had it to do over. Similar with what I did with box to cover my hydrengas leggy early spring awkwardness.

So now perhaps a bush that could go in front probably not ROS but would stay somewhat smaller, say 5-6 foot that would have summer color and fall interest.

p.s I wasn't mad, I'm tired from lack of sleep from the aforementioned hounds from hell.

small, summer color and fall color too.

continuous summer blooming - Daphne at. 'Summer Ice'

Blueberry - require a lot of water and good drainage.

too early in the morning but I'm trying. Hopefully you'll get some other suggestions...

Dax

I saw blueberry plants at the farm store. It never occurred to me to use them as a shrub. I am also trying to attract birds. That would do it I suppose :~) I thought they were grown in bogs in Maine though? Are there two kinds of blueberries? How big would they get? Very intriguing.

What about planting Sambucus canadensis for attracting the birds? They grow fast and will get in the 5-6 ft range and attracts a lot of birds. There's a Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and there's also a Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium). If you do a search for shrubs to attract birds, it brings up a lot of good reading. A mix is always good, bringing you in a variety of birds.

Dax I'm not mad nor was I ever mad.

I have used red-twigged verigated dogwood (cornus alba elegantissima) for privacy screening in various places. Very attractive. Hardy to zone 3. Low maintenace. Winter interest. No fruiting issues. The only thing you do is to cut out a few of the older less colorful stems in late winter.

The verigated leaves also give a lighter feel that keep people from feeling hedged in.

Cornus alba elegantissima is 5-7 feet tall. Some other cultivars are less tall.

Why not try one of the Meserve hollies (or two or three) ?I think Blue Prince and Blue Princess are the best. You can prune them easily, they are evergreen, and as long as you have one Blue Prince you'll have lovely red berries!

I do like the holly idea. That would give the hounds from hell a run for thier money when they try to eat my bushes. They ate one small lilac clear to the ground last year. I have about a forty foot stretch. I have a line of lilacs, ten I believe. I was thinking about the blueberries in the middle perhaps three or five. Then other plants on either end. As I don't personally like eating blueberries an entire row of them would be a bit much.
The dogwood is also interesting. Anything has to wait until next payday anyway or when the renter finally pays her rent. :~/

Update: I bought five blueberry bushes and four Red Prince Weigala's and planted the five bb's in the middle and the weigalas on either side.

Update two: NOW NFH want to take down the privacy fence that borders our regular lot and the home we live in and park a hearse in the yard. The HFH will bark and we'll have to look at that. The easement is bordering our driveway and there is nothing we can do about it if he does. I feel our property values declining significantly. :~/

This past winter we had a bad ice storm in Missouri and it weighted down one of our Rose of Sharon bushes. We have an Aphrodite and it came back wonderfully for only being 1 year old. It is now 4 to 5 feet tall and full of blooms. The problem we are having is the limbs are so weak that they are almost laying on the ground. Can someone tell me what is going on and do you have a fix for this beautiful plant