Wichita Blue never worked for me here in WV--some kind of wilt/blight/fungal thing. Would Spirea 'Ogon" or some Viburnums take zone 4? All quite deer resistant.

Laceyvail, I’ve never tried Spirea ‘Ogon’, but the early flowering can be a problem up here. Sometimes it works and is amazing, but more often than not a hard freeze will inflict major damage to the flower structure. I thought of Spirea as a replacement, but would really like to be bird friendly.

I have read on many lists (I bet I’m not the only garden list reader) that Viburnum dentatum is less preferred by deer, but that has not been my experience. I’ve got V. d. (!) ‘Red Feathers’, and it’s a popular item on the buffet line.

Ken, I understand what you’re saying, but doesn’t it sometimes make sense to plant a grouping of woody plants? I’m not saying I made a good choice with the carppy scopulorum, but sometimes planting more than one of something would seem to make sense. Have you never done this?

I often lose the flowers on the 'Ogon' too, but the foliage makes up for the loss. And the fall color is really nice too. I have three of them backed by a purple ninebark--nice combo.

Rocky Mountain juniper often seems to have problems away from the generally drier climate of its native region. What would make sense would be to fence the deer out, then you won't have the often rather severe restriction on plant selection that their presence is apt to impose. Anything that is novel to the particular individual deer visiting a site can be browsed. Including native species that might grow fairly close by elsewhere in the district.

Then there is the rubbing off of velvet using specimens that might otherwise never be damaged (by browsing).

Perimeter fencing would solve a lot of problems, but I’m afraid it’s a nonstarter. My spouse and I have had this conversation and one of us is strongly opposed to the idea. I got lazy this past winter in working to limit deer damage, but that’s an age-related issue that will likely continue.

The three small conifers in the background are Norway Spruce, which are planted on the property line. They had to be moved when we built a garage a few years ago and ended up here. They’re starting to take off and should make a nice backdrop for shrubs in front of them (where the junipers were). The space is roughly 10’ deep x 18’ wide.

I’m considering Aronia melanocarpa and Amelanchier alnifolia for this spot, but nothing has been decided. This would be a great time to offer some design and/or plant recommendations.

Three plants a monoculture makes? I'll keep that in mind. I tend to plant things in groupings, hardly ever singular.

I knew the problem as soon as i read the title. J. scopulorum, moving east. Long term problems. There's J. virginiana, but a) no blue and b) winter discoloration.

Exochordia?

Three plants a monoculture makes?

==>>> with this plant it does.. lol ...

back in the day ... i planted a number of these cute young blue babes .. around my 5 acres ... grew like the weeds Js are in MI .. then i dont know.. 3 to 5 years later ... they all got juniper tip blight ... and eventually they made nice bonfire exhibit ...

ken

“I have three of them backed by a purple ninebark--nice combo.”

That sounds nice! I’m drawing a mental picture. :)

Wayne, interesting you mention Exchorda. I happened to run across ‘The Bride’ at an Eau Claire-based home improvement retailer and went mmmm. I know almost nothing about it, but it seems to me the U of Minnesota released a cultivar several years ago. I don’t think it has been a huge success, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the right plant. Do you see these used in garden settings and how do they look?

Ken, I can’t argue with your logic. Digging out three junipers that were planted in the fall of 2011 was a frustrating task. Not the digging, but knowing I’ll be starting over and lost seven years of growth. Yes, it is an opportunity to plant something new, but I find greater enjoyment from watching a plant settle in and thrive.

I grow E. The Bride and a newer cultivar that is either Snowday Surprise or Snowday Blizzard. I like both of them very much. The former is more weeping (the stems never root themselves) and the latter upright, but nicely shaped. After the bloom they're done showing off for the year, but they're handsome looking background plants and the bloom is really quite spectacular. The Bride would look really nice weeping over a stone wall.

Exochordia is never going to be a smash hit. It's similar to spring flowering spirea...white, largish, with long branches that bear flowers. The rest of the year, it's just there. I think it deserves more use, but so do a lot of other plants. Some are better, some aren't...but there's always room for personal discretion.

I know a prominent local designer who thinks no landscape is complete without mockorange. Preferably next to the main entrance of multimillion dollar homes. clipped formal hedges...and mockorange. planted in groups of three. A monoculture.

Got room for Eucommia ulmoides? or Magnolia sieboldii?

I’ve got a M. Sieboldii, but have never tried Eucommia ulmoides. I think I’ve seen an arboretum specimen of the latter, but couldn’t tell you where. I’m going to remove a fairly large weeviled White Pine, so that will open up an opportunity for a mid-sized tree. Are you promoting it?

BTW, I had a Mockorange at our main entrance. I wondered why it didn’t work for me and now I know: We don’t have a multi-million dollar home!

Laceyvail, what part of WV are you located? We spent a couple of days traveling through the state in 2013 and enjoyed the beauty. I distinctly remember Beartown State Park — very interesting place.