Tall-ish Narrow Evergreen for Zone 6B, Partial Sun?

5 years ago

Hello. I feel like I am looking for a unicorn. Does anyone have suggestions for a tall-ish (preferably 5'-10'), narrow (1'-4') evergreen that will grown in Zone 6B on the north side of my house? I am in densely populated area (close to Boston) without deer. Some possibilities I have come across in my research:

-Dee Runk boxwood

-Green Spire Euonymus

-Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae

-Stonehenge Yew or Skinny Stonehenge Yew

-Fernspray Gold Hinoki Cypress

-Sky Pencil Holly (I'm concerned there is not enough sun, given my Zone (6B))

I would love any thoughts on the above, or any other suggestions! (Are there any pieris/ andromedas that have a narrower shape?).

Thank you!

Sarah

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

5 years ago

The Hinoki will get wider as well. And not so 'very, very slowly' :-) This is an intermediate form of C. obtusa with an annual growth rate of 6-10" and will eventually become 12' tall and 8' wide.

Both the yew and the boxwood could work but these DO grow very slowly so could be years before they achieve what you are looking for.

In my area, the euonymus has issues (scale, powdery mildew, random dieback) and therefore tends not to be widely carried any longer.

My first choice would be the Japanese holly. It is easily as shade tolerant as the box - probably even more so - has an acceptable growth rate and stays narrow......usually :-) Can get some splaying of exterior branches but those are easily confined or pruned out.

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Comments (8)

Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Mahonia (now Berberis) 'Winter Sun'. A bit spiney, but hey, evergreen.

Green Spire is great if no deer. Also, if no deer, maybe Euonymus 'Chollipo'. Would have to be sheared ocassionally.
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I am in 6b and love my Thuja 'Degroot's Spire' on the north side of my home. If you set them out a bit from the structure (like you should anyway) they get plenty of light. They will get taller than you specified but behave so well it's hardly an issue. And if you make sure to get single stem plants they don't get hugely wide either.
Sarah TB thanked cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
a pic of the spot might get you more ideas ..

the yellow ribbon will get much wider ...

the hinoki will grow very very slowly to height

ken
Sarah TB thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
in my MI ... you will be very lucky.. in shade.. to get a hinoki to grow on the fast side of gals annual numbers ... especially with the months of ground freeze ... my only point .. i think your closer to my MI than her PNW ....

regardless.. we both seem to vote against it in your options ...

ken
Sarah TB thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Sara Malone Zone 9b
5 years ago
The 'Dee Runk' is serviceable but not showy at all. 'Sky Pencil' is more attractive. I have DR in almost full shade and it does fine.
Sarah TB thanked Sara Malone Zone 9b
Sarah TB
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks to everyone. This is all very helpful!
Embothrium
5 years ago
There is much related discussion of 'Sky Pencil':

Sky pencil - GardenWeb - Home Design Discussions
Sarah TB thanked Embothrium