On the pattern, no comments. But I think most viburnum are TALL plants, too tall to wave to anyone over them, but I could be wrong.

Okay, I'll give you a question re the pattern.

You list a row of TRXXXTRXXXTR etc. and then in front a row of RXXXXRXXXXR.

Does this mean there will be a row of shrubs in front of the back row? If so, what does "R" stand for? (or did you mean "TR" for the front row?

Glen

Yes 2 rows, staggered to lessen the "single lane wall" feel by breaking it up. Instead of 3 feet apart, maybe 5 feet apart and the back row staggered so visually it is only 2.5 feet apart?

The R in the second row was the same tree above (gave extra room) it was hard, the format kept coming out wrong on the post.

I didn't realize viburnums are so tall. I am not as familliar with trees and shrubs as I am perrenials.

Thanks!

There are Viburnums of every height. Viburnum opulus 'Nanum' grows only about 3 feet tall. Viburnum 'Bailey's Compact' grows about 5 feet tall. So, don't necessarily give up on them. Check around and see if you can't find some of the dwarf or compact varieties.
Jan

Viburnum Blue Muffin is one of the shorter ones too. If you do decided to use Viburnum (which I think is an excellent choice) consider that you will want a couple of varieties for cross polination. There are a number of posts in the shurbs forum on the subject so read up before you decide.

For the tree, have you considered Amelanchier? It's a multitrunked tree/shrub that should stay low enough under your lines and it has multi season interest. I love them and think they are underused.

Please choose carefully, if you want a plant you can see over, don't get a big one and plan to sheer it - get the right plant for the space. It is quite a long space to fill and I think it would more interesting if you occasionaly included some taller shrubs as well. Also to prevent it from looking too formal, consider alternating the groupings so that you have more variety. so TrXXXXXTrYYYShZZZZZTrYYYTrXXXX where Tr is tree, X is one variety say viburnum blue muffin, Y is another like Ivory Halo dogwood, and Z is a third like dwarf lilac and Sh is a large shrub like ninebark or amelanchier.

Other easy care shrubs to consider - korean lilac, red twig dogwood (cornus), winterberry (Ilex), dwarf or conifers like mugo pine.

Are you made of money or patience? If it's the later I recently posted on sources of tree and shrub seedlings. They are basically rooted twigs but economical for such a large project.

Thanks everybody.

I agree I'd like to break up the straight line of the same shrub with something.

I am definately made of patience, not money!

I will look at your exchanges. I will also look into the shrubs (and viburnums esp) and trees listed here. I am just worried I will make a bad/unresearched decision, and not like all those shrubs!

Thanks!
Holly

That's why a variety is so important - you might even change your mind on what you like as the plants mature.

The image search on google is a great tool to see a variety of shots of different plants. The other thing I do is wander around neighborhoods that are at least 5 maybe more like 10 yrs old and look at what plants look like once they've settled in and matured. Sometimes I've thought I liked something but when I saw it in a landscape I changed my mind. Those cute little Alberta spruce come to mind. Gosh - 2 ft high cute as a button, but once established it just looks odd to me. The other way works to - the Nishiki willow was passed over at the nursery with hardly a glance but I saw it bording a house last week and it took my breath away!

Thanks for the tip on the image search. I feel the same way about the alberta spruce. I think I am goingto get the compact burning bush for hte base shrub(on sale at Linders for 6.50 right now, fits in my budget better, than the viburnums, plus a 4 year guarantee). I have to figure out the tree. I will check out and make sure at the arboretum next week before planting, so I can return anything that scares me off. I think soem red twigged dogwoods mixed in for winter interest arounf the trees may help break it up and a garden at the corner.

Holly