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Variageated Foundation plant
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Posted by gamecox SC (My Page) on Sun, Aug 19, 07 at 10:31
| I'm looking for some kind of variagated shrub to use as a foundation plant. In front of them, I'm planting Wheeler's pitts, so I'd like what goes behind it to be different in color and texture. I LOVE the look of the variegated privet. It's color and texture is perfect (i really like the small pointed leaves). And the Swift Creek cultivar grows to be about 5-6', so it's perfect except for the fact that it's, well, a privet. I don't want something I'm going to have to wrestle with and that is very invasive. Any suggestions? I was thinking going red like with the Ever Red Sunset Loropetalum, but the foundation is brick, so red on red might get lost. The foundation is 3' high, so I'd like something up to 4 or 5' that I can prune back. Planted about two feet from the house. I live in central South Carolina, and I'd prefer an evergreen.
Any suggestions? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Variageated Foundation plant
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| Variegated Pieris or variegated Daphne might be some ideas to consider. I have variegated Daphne next to my front porch and it has grown well. I used Walter Reeves's special soil recipe. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Variegated Pieris
RE: Variageated Foundation plant
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| I wouldn't advise you to plant privet in your foundation planting. My neighbor has variegated ones that are 8'x8'. It would be a fight you probably couldn't win. You're also right about the loropetalum. When they bloom, it would be a ghastly sight against red brick. It's not evergreen, but the white variegated hydrangeas would be beautiful with your pitts.
Or, Nandina domestica's texture would be gorgeous with them. You get the bonus of the red berries and red winter color that would look nice with your brick. The named varieties are not big wanderers and are pretty easy to control.
Have you thought of golden Acuba? It requires shade. |
RE: Variageated Foundation plant
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Variegated osmanthus (Osmanthus heterophyllus "Goshiki" Euonymous "Silver King" are variegated and evergreen and TOUGH!
Susan. |
RE: Variageated Foundation plant
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| I grow Goshiki too! Don't know why I didn't think of it. It's positively gorgeous and would be perfect for a foundation plant. It grows slowly so order the biggest size you can afford. |
RE: Variageated Foundation plant
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| I saw a variegated fatsia on TV that was sensational. I think there are some dwarf willows that would look alot like a privet but stay smaller. |
RE: Variageated Foundation plant
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| What about Euonymous japonicus "aureo-marginatus"? It has nice golden-yellow color and is easily pruned to maintain a formal hedge. Its growth is also not to fast. |
RE: Variageated Foundation plant
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| If you haven't planted yet you may want to try Jack Frost Ligustrum, I know it sounds ferocious but it only reaches about 4ft and can be trimmed. It has gorgeous variegated leaves and an arching growth habit. |
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