| Author | Content |
sempervirens
Northern, NJ
(Zone 6b)
April 23, 2008
04:50 AM Post #4851045
| Both the burning bush and Japanese Barberry recommended as hedges are invasive plants in NJ. They have invaded local forests and take a huge volunteer effort to be removed. Weed Wrenching them out of the forests is very labor intensive. Unfortunately they are still widely sold in nurseries and big box stores and planted regularly in gardens by unsuspecting gardeners. Please be wary and check your area for invasive status before planting. Cultivars that are sold as sterile have proved to be able to reproduce. |
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
April 23, 2008
10:45 AM Post #4851964
| Even the DWARF burning bush? I groaned at the sight of that cute little burning bush, because my house was over-planted with the monster variety, and I always wished we had compactus instead. xx, Carrie |
Plantedz
Marlborough, MA
(Zone 6a)
April 23, 2008
11:07 AM Post #4852063
| I have both the burning bush and the Japanese barberry in dwarf variety and so far so good. Both are maintainable and do the trick for me. I can imagine that the larger varieties could be a problem, but I've had them for several year and love them.
z |
sempervirens
Northern, NJ
(Zone 6b)
April 23, 2008
12:12 PM Post #4852366
| carrielamont and Plantedz,
Both Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and European Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) are on the prohibited plant list for Massachusetts.
http://www.mass.gov/agr/farmproducts/Prohibited-Plant-Index2...
It is not in our gardens that the problem exists with these shrubs but how they escape into the natural areas. I had no idea of the degree of problem some plants caused until I volunteered to help in a forest regeneration project.
Every state -country has different invasives. If we just check lists for our own area I think we'll have half the problem licked. |
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
April 23, 2008
04:33 PM Post #4853438
| I know, Semper, and I would NEVER plant another BB of ANY size - but who will come help us get rid of the ones we have? Our only error was not knowing enough to stipulate their removal when we bought this bargain house 15 years ago.
My personal campaign is with the Norway Maples. Thank heavens the state of Mass no longer plants them along the road, but they take over every lawn that is not Chem-Lawned to death/life, and God help the open spaces. Now They are planting Bradford Pears for us instead!!!
xx, Carrie |
crisincincy
Cincinnati, OH
April 23, 2008
05:00 PM Post #4853523
| What I am looking for is something for privacy. Our backyard seating area is in full view of one of our neighbors. I like them, but some "alone" time without them would be nice also. What can you recommend that would (eventually) grow to about 6-8 feet and be rather full? |
irisMA
South Hamilton, MA
April 23, 2008
07:46 PM Post #4854156
| The plants in place in MA don't have to be rooted out, but no new ones. I would just as soon try & help them deminish. I friend in MO is contrmplating copper sulfate injections in neighbor's mulberry trees which are invading her property. I wonder if it would work with Norway maple. I like shagbark hickory, miss the one we had in CT. |
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
April 23, 2008
08:10 PM Post #4854259
| The Norway Maples I abhor are on town property so far, until they fall onto mine...
And of course you can be chief biddy - it's a hard job, but somebody has to do it! x, C |
Plantedz
Marlborough, MA
(Zone 6a)
May 02, 2008
09:52 AM Post #4896009
| Thanks Semepervirens. I had no idea of the big picture! Wish I had looked at this list and read information before buying barberries and the burning bush. ; - (
z |
NE_Gardener
Oxford, NY
(Zone 4b)
August 24, 2009
08:51 AM Post #6982320
|
I am just planting a privacy garden hedge on two sides of my property here in central NY that had almost nothing planted on it when I bought it over a year ago. Deer are a big problem.
I recommend viburnum for a thick scented Hedge plant. There are several varieties. The deer haven't bother the two I planted so far. Although the lawnmower got one early on but it has recovered.
I have put a long hedge in front of my house. It is in the beginning stage. I have found that the deer love the Purple leaf plum and purple leaf sand cherry. I have had to make cages around them.
Also the elderberry, which they are not supposed to like they keep trimming. Also the weigela and dogwood get pruned regularly. If I want to grow these to a size that the deer will no longer bother I will have to screen or cage them all! Or put up a temporary fence until the plants mature. Not very pretty on the street side of the house.
Even fir trees are not immune to deer nibbling.
Good news:
BUT a really good hedge plant, besides viburnum is a Rosa Rugosa. It comes in various sizes and varieties. But common R. rugosa is excellent. Good to zone 4 or less, it will grow 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide with repeat roses all summer and lovely rose hips for the birds. If you plant enough you can make rose petal jam or syrup. Yum
I am going to post this on the hedge conversation also.
Hope you all do well with your gardens. |
