Shade tolerant shrubs for z5 that are ok for cats

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2mulch2mulch Westborough, MA Jun 07, 2014

My daughter's backyard ends in a steep slope that goes into woods. She wants a border of large shrubs across the edge of the level area that can pretty much go wild. She lives in Massachusetts west of Boston zone 5. She has 2 outside cats and she decided not to plant mt laurel because they are poisonous. I looked at these possibilities - some of them I liked when we grew them in S.C., but I don't know how they will do up here. I would appreciate any comments about them: (She only needs 4-6).
Red twig dogwood
Andromeda
Service Berry (Amelanchier alnifolia}
Aucuba japonica
Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel)
Fothergilla gardenia (Dwarft Fothergilla)
Kerria japonica
Aesculus pavia (red buckeye)
Viburnum carlesii (Mayflower viburnum)
Leatherleaf viburnum
Sweet viburnum
Thanks in advance for your help!

Post #9861886
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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Jun 07, 2014

Are these on a 'not poisonous to cats' list? (just checked...)
Like I thought, Andromeda is on this (toxic) list:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants?field_toxicity_value%5B%5D=02

As for growth habit, screening and so on, you can google each plant to see its habit.
How tall a screen do they want? Get something that gets perhaps 25% taller, but not more than that.
It is OK to mix plants, too. 2-3 of each until your screen is wide enough to do the job. If you like some that are a bit smaller, then plant a zig-zag row with the taller plants toward the back and the smaller ones in front.

Check out the location for sun vs. shade, and water. If it is a damp shaded area certain plants will do well. If it is a dry sunny area you want other plants.

Post #9861941
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2mulch2mulch Westborough, MA Jun 08, 2014

Thanks Diana for some nice ideas. The location is dry and mostly shady, some sun in winter & spring. We want something that grows well and requires mimimal tlc. : )

Post #9862807
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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Jun 09, 2014

Mostly shady, with sun only in the milder parts of the year would be shade plants. Anything that demands more sun will not work as well in that setting.
So double check your list, and eliminate anything that is going to grow to sparse under shady conditions.

Post #9863975
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