In a Squeeze? Use narrow plants!

Sometimes you need a skinny plant to slip into a tight spot. A specimen that has great ‘posture’ and completes the design puzzle. Here are a few woody plants, evergreen and deciduous, to consider when you are literally ‘between a rock and a hard place’: (pictured right Boxwood ‘Graham Blandy’, photo ncsu.edu)

Evergreen

Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ) ‘Graham Blandy’ 6’-9’ tall, 2’-3’ wide. Sun – Shade. Z 5-9
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) ‘Sky Pencil’ 6’-8’ tall, 2’-3’ wide. Sun – Part Shade. Z5-9

Blue Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) ‘Skyrocket’ 15’-20’ tall, 2’-3’ wide. Sun. Z4-9 (photo right, Monrovia)
Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) ‘Degroot’s Spire’ 12’-16’ tall. 3’-4’ wide. Sun – Part Shade. Z4-8

Flowering Shrubs

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) ‘Purple Pillar’ NEW 10’-16’ tall, 2’-3’ wide. Sun. Z5-9 (photo Proven Winners)

Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’ 12’ – 15’ tall, 5’-7’ wide. Huge reddish-purple flowers. Sun. Z5-8
Elderberry (Sambucus) ‘Strait-Laced’ NEW 6’-8’ tall, 3’-4’ wide. Chocolate-black, feathery leaves with pink flowers. Sun. Z 4 – 8
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) ‘Tiny Wine’ 3’-5’ tall, 3’-4’ wide. Sun. Z 3-8
Columnar Apple Tree 10’ tall, 18”-24” wide. Sun. Z4-8