Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: What are your plans for your co-op trees and shrubs?, 1 by Brent_In_NoVa

Brent_In_NoVa wrote:
Okay, since I kicked this thread off, I guess I should share my plans. My order consisted of 36 plants (12 Nikko Blue Hydrangeas, 8 Oakleaf Hydrangeas, 6 Japanese Snowball Viburnums, 6 Sweet Shrubs, 4 Kousa Dogwoods).

The image below shows the primary location for my new plants. The empty area on the left used to be covered with bamboo and there was a Pin Oak that was knocked down in Hurricane Isabel last year.

4 of the Viburnums are going along the fence line. Behind the Tulip Poplars on the right, there are some Forsythia bushes that I plan on removing and replacing with 3 or 4 Sweet Shrubs. I plan on putting three of the Oakleaf Hydrangeas along the fence on the right and another three along the fence on the left. I am planning 5 Nikko Blue Hydrangeas along the fence to the left next to the Oakleafs.

I am not exactly sure about the Kousa Dogwoods, but I liked them too much to pass up. I am going to plant a tree or two in front of the Viburnums, but I am not sure if I want to use a Dogwood or something with more color (maybe a 'Forest Pansy' Redbud). I may plant a Dogwood along the side of the house or plant a couple as understory trees in the wooded area behind the fence.

There is another area along the side of my house for the rest of the Nikko Blues and another Sweet Shrub. I ordered an extra or two of each plant just to make sure enough survived the winter and looked nice.

Last weekend I spent a number of hours hauling mulch for this area (after this picture was taken). I have the basic bed lines in place and I have been working to finalize the planting layout. I have a terrible time visualizing on paper, so I have been out driving stakes to help visualize the layout.

- Brent