dwarf evergreens

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rampbrat Abilene, TX(Zone 7b) Mar 14, 2010

I have a small yard and I'm looking for some evergreens to put along our north fence (wind block). I need something that can handle our hot summers. I love pines and spruces, but I don't know what's out there that can handle our heat and will remain fairly small. I've looked at arbiviteas, but my mom said that they have problems. Any suggestions?

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Mar 14, 2010

Unfortunately small shrubs are pretty much useless at blocking the wind--you should really be looking for something tall and skinny so that it blocks the wind but doesn't take up too much space width-wise in your yard. I don't know what zone Abilene is, but around here a lot of people use Cupressus sempervirens (Italian cypress) so if you're in a warm enough zone that it would be hardy you might consider it. It handles summers here just fine, but your summers are likely a bit warmer so I'd look around and see if you see other people in your area growing them before you run out and buy a bunch. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53329/ They're super tall, so you could go with something shorter than them and still get good wind-blocking in a small yard but dwarf things are not going to do what you want. Some arborvitae species can get quite tall too so if you find out that they do well in your area then just look for one of them that gets to a decent height.

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rampbrat Abilene, TX(Zone 7b) Mar 15, 2010

I'm in zone 7b. I thought about Italian cypress, but I have to deal with drops and other lines in the alley (my north fence is along the alley). Afghan pines can handle the heat, but are too big.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Mar 15, 2010

I just had another thought...does your wind really come from the north? Anywhere I've ever lived the prevailing wind generally comes from the west so a windbreak along a north facing fence won't help much anyway even if you are able to plant something that's tall enough.

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rampbrat Abilene, TX(Zone 7b) Mar 15, 2010

In the winter our prevailing wind is from the north and in the summer from the south. Our patio is unfortunately on the north side of the house and in the winter it catches all the cold wind .

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Mar 16, 2010

Here is a little info for you. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/xeriscape/table4.html

http://www.ehow.com/list_6069712_top-10-small-evergreen-shrubs.html

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/trees/msg081149492354.html

http://randolph.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+20

http://www.p2pays.org/ref/20/19122/LandscapingEnergy.html

http://local.bobvila.com/Energy_Efficiency_Cedar_Hill_TX-t2654_Cedar+Hill+TX.html

http://www.homelinkmag.com/Articles/HomeLinkMag_Landscaping.pdf

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rampbrat Abilene, TX(Zone 7b) Mar 18, 2010

Thanks, I should have known the Aggies would have the info. I'm going to check out the others, too.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Mar 18, 2010

You are welcome. I always try to find a source as close to home as possible. I have discovered that from trial and error....just cuz it says it thrives in Northern Arkansas, that doesn't mean it will thrive as well in So central LA Grin But, That doesn't stop me from seeking opinions.... Moon

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