Classical entrywayTraditional Landscape, San Francisco

Plants, like the rest of us, have genetic destinies; so if a tree "wants" to grow 20 feet tall, keeping it smaller will require ongoing pruning — and keeping it both smaller AND attractive will require meticulous attention. (Bonsai artists are the pinnacle of this work.) If you really love the cypress and no other species will do, you could take advantage of its slow growth: enjoy it while it's young, and replace it with another when it ultimately gets too large for your liking.

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Wonderful creation and more importantly, great answers. Unlike so many questions on Houzz which go unanswered, you have been generous with your responses. Hope the many other providers learn from that. Bravo.

Thank you, Sucheta! You just made my evening.

As landscape architects in Illinois I can advise you that neither the fig nor cypress would survive outside in the Midwest. Try Skyrocket Juniper or other juniper species. Also try cultivars of Chamaecyparis - false cypress, which has a similar narrow, upright habit. Columnar Oak is deciduous and will easily attain 5' in width and 25' in height, so make sure you have space for it.

emerald arborvitae works in my climate, the Atlanta area. It's not quite as skinny but has similar effect. This is quite beautiful by the way and I'm trying to recreate it for my new entryway to my backyard. Thank you for showing us amazing things in small spaces!

I need some very narrow trees and shrubs to put by a fence. The space is one foot five inches. I would like some Evergreens that will grow in Duluth, Minnnesota.

Mabel, Duluth is well enough outside the area I work in that I couldn't begin to recommend plants for you. I would start with either a local landscape designer (a quick search at www.apld.org yields http://www.northernlightslandscaping.org); or just stop into a garden center near you to describe your space and see whether they can recommend something. Good luck!

—John

What are the white plants on each side of the walk? It looks like maybe 2 different varieties. Just beautiful!

Thank you! I'm glad you like them so much. There are white Impatiens as well as white 'Darwisnow' tulips in these spring borders.

—John

Love this look. We live in central Florida and want to re do our front entrance. Is the blue stone slippery when wet? We have a earth tone brick house with salmon and orange.
The brick borders are brilliant for step safety.

Glad you like the look! Connecticut bluestone is a sandstone with excellent slip resistance.
-John

The skinny evergreens are 'Tiny Tower' Italian cypress, see http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1028/tiny-tower-italian-cypress.php
These grow somewhat narrower than columnar junipers, and have a darker green color than 'Skyrocket,' which tends to be a bit blue-green.

Verdance Landscape Design, you have the patience of a saint to answer all the questions with patience and passion. Mahalo! Lovely landscaping by the way.

According to Monrovia, the growing zone is USDA 7-10: http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1028/tiny-tower-italian-cypress/ . To see what growing zone you live in, you can check your ZIP code at the USDA website: http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ . Good luck!
—John

That looks awesome

Thanks for asking! The "hedge" behind the juniper trees actually is a wall covered in Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila). The large shrub in the back corner is English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus).

Stuning! Wish this could work in Virginia!

Those are Delta white pansies(annuals).

Hi, those actually are white Impatiens. This is a cool-season annual that should be readily available at nurseries. Thanks for asking!
John

Thanks for asking! In the background there is a creeping fig (Ficus pumila) on the wall, with compact Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens 'Tiny Tower') in front. Other shrubs providing structure include Osmanthus fragrans, Viburnum davidii and Spiraea japonica; then the white flowers include perennials such as Francoa ramosa, as well as annual tulips ('Hakuun' is a nice white variety), pansy and impatiens.

Check with your local garden center or nursery to see whether they stock, or can order, Cupressus sempervirens 'Tiny Tower' from Monrovia Growers. (The generic variety 'Compacta' should have a similar growth habit, but Monrovia's patented version would be more reliable.) The price will vary depending on source, species and size.

Thanks for asking!
—John

Check with your local garden center or nursery to see whether they stock, or can order, Cupressus sempervirens 'Tiny Tower' from Monrovia Growers. The generic variety 'Compacta' should have a similar growth habit, but Monrovia's patented version would be more reliable. Thanks for asking!

—John

Carolyn, this is 'Tiny Tower', a patented variety of Cupressus sempervirens developed by Monrovia Growers (see http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1028/tiny-tower-italian-cypress/). According to Monrovia:

"Very slow growth to just 8-10 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide in 10 years, eventually to 25-30 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide."

Thanks for asking!

—John

Check with your local garden center or nursery to see whether they stock, or can order, Cupressus sempervirens 'Tiny Tower' from Monrovia Growers.

—John

Thank you for asking. Although I design only in the San Francisco area -- particularly in the Mediterranean climate of Palo Alto and Menlo Park -- the Connecticut bluestone and red brick are classical New England hardscape materials that I'm sure can withstand any type of weather if properly installed. As for the plants, although the white impatiens and tulips are annuals that can bloom once almost anywhere, the taller cypress trees and creeping fig vines are evolved to a mild climate and probably would not survive New England winters. Check www.apld.org to find a garden designer near you who could speak more authoritatively to all of this!

—John

This front entry garden was one part of a larger design, so it's difficult to estimate the cost for just this area. The entire project budget was greater than $100,000.

Anastasia, I'm glad you like it! The walkway is Connecticut bluestone with a brick border. It's wet in this photo, so the colors are very rich; dry it is more of a pale blue-gray with some tan and purple mottling.

'Tiny Tower' is a patented variety of Italian cypress, botanical name Cupressus sempervirens, developed by Monrovia Growers (see http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1028/tiny-tower-italian-cypress/). As with pharmaceuticals, once a plant's patent expires (17-20 years after issue), a market for "generic" versions opens up. So, even if you can't find 'Tiny Tower,' you may be able to find a similar, non-patented cultivar of Cupressus sempervirens sold as 'Dwarf Compacta', 'Compacta', 'Dwarf,' or similar.

According to Monrovia:

"Very slow growth to just 8-10 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide in 10 years, eventually to 25-30 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide."

Monrovia doesn't sell directly to consumers, but your local garden center should be able to order it (you can also use the Monrovia web site to find local garden centers who sell Monrovia plants). Prices will vary depending on the size and cultivar you purchase, so ask your local garden center or nursery.

Good luck!
—John

Reva, I'd suggest calling around to local nurseries or garden centers and asking for the availability and prices of the trees in different size containers.

—John

Sorry, Tex, I have no idea. I'd say, call your local nursery or garden center and ask whether they can tell you the prices of the trees in different size containers.

—John

Sorry, Tex, I have no idea. I'd say, call your local nursery or garden center and ask whether they can tell you the prices of the trees in different size containers.

—John

Hi, those are white Impatiens. This is an annual that will do fine in shade, just don't expect them to last beyond the cool season. Thanks for asking!
John

Carolyn, per the growers at Monrovia: "Very slow growth to just 8-10 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide in 10 years, eventually to 25-30 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide."

Carolyn, per the growers at Monrovia: "Very slow growth to just 8-10 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide in 10 years, eventually to 25-30 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide."

Carolyn, according to the grower (Monrovia, http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1028/tiny-tower-italian-cypress/):

"Very slow growth to just 8-10 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide in 10 years, eventually to 25-30 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide."

Thanks for asking!

John

Eslee, the 'Tiny Tower' cypress is the tall, narrow evergreen tree along the fenceline in the back of this photo. 'Tiny Tower' is the trade name for the variety of compact Italian cypress that was patented by Monrovia Nurseries: http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1028/tiny-tower-italian-cypress/ . Thanks for asking!
—John

Cupressus 'Tiny Tower' should be available at any nursery or home-improvement center where Monrovia plants are sold. Many growers also carry a "generic" version often called 'Compacta'.

Cupressus 'Tiny Tower' should be available at any nursery or home-improvement center where Monrovia plants are sold. Many growers also carry a "generic" version often called 'Compacta'.

Cupressus 'Tiny Tower' should be available at any nursery or home-improvement center where Monrovia plants are sold. Many growers also carry a "generic" version often called 'Compacta'.

'Tiny Tower' is a patented variety of Italian cypress, botanical name Cupressus sempervirens, developed by Monrovia Growers (see http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1028/tiny-tower-italian-cypress/). Monrovia doesn't sell directly to consumers, but your local garden center should be able to order it (you can also use the Monrovia web site to find local garden centers who sell Monrovia plants).

As with pharmaceuticals, once a plant's patent expires (17-20 years after issue), a market for "generic" versions opens up. So, even if you can't find 'Tiny Tower,' you may be able to find a similar, non-patented cultivar of Cupressus sempervirens sold as 'Dwarf Compacta', 'Compacta', 'Dwarf,' or similar.

Good luck!
—John

Cupressus 'Tiny Tower' is a patented form produced by Monrovia Nursery, one of the country's largest growers — I would expect that most garden centers would be able to order it for you. Alternately, there is a "generic" dwarf form commonly called Cupressus 'Compacta'; but as with most generic anything, there may be variations from crop to crop and plant to plant. If you find a reliable source for 'Tiny Tower,' please share it with us… good luck!
—John

Well, "odd" is in the eye of the beholder — for the classical style of this home, in my opinion bamboo would have looked odd. But your tastes and opinions may be different, and that's OK too!

There may be many different options to choose from to create privacy screening. A landscape designer would consider the specific conditions of your site before considering looks: sun/shade exposure, damp/dry soil, narrow/wide planting area, to name a few. Then within the set of plants that will thrive in those conditions, I would consider the functional attributes of the plants themselves: evergreen/deciduous, clumping/spreading, toxic/nontoxic, short/tall, fast/slow growth, high/low water needs, and so on. Finally, within that subset of plants that have appropriate features, I would choose the plants that fit the aesthetic look you prefer: the Italian Cypress used here work well with a formal, classic style, while bamboo species (and there are many!) may convey a more tropical or Asian feeling. Even the same plant could be used different ways: Pittosporum tenuifolium can be clipped tightly to create a formal hedge, or left loose for a natural, shrubby look.

While the aesthetic choice is purely personal, the site conditions and plant attributes are non-negotiable. Figure those out first, and you may find that your plant choice is made for you. Good luck!

—John

Those are white tulips and white Impatiens, both of which bloom in late winter/early spring here in the San Francisco area. I don't recall the specific cultivar names, but for bulbs like tulips one of my favorite sources is www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com . Happy gardening!

That "hedge" actually is a vine on the fence: evergreen creeping fig, or Ficus pumila.