What's That Again?

More answers to the questions most frequently asked at nurseries:

Q. The neighboring shopping center is rather run down. What trees can I use for screening and privacy?

A. Whether you are trying to block an objectionable view or simply looking for some privacy, trees with an abundance of foliage can provide a screen in your landscape. Keep in mind your options really depend on how much space you have in your landscape. Some great candidates for medium to large areas include podocarpus, ficus, melaleuca, prunus caroliniana and ligustrum. For especially large areas, layer or tier them using many trees. For smaller areas, plant a single, medium-sized weeping tree such as a willow.

Q. What is a good ground cover between stepping-stones?

A. Two things are important when choosing a ground cover to place between stepping stones – the intensity of the sun in the particular area and the amount of foot traffic. In full to partial sun, good ground covers include Creeping thyme, dymondia, Scotch moss, Irish moss and mints.  However, between stepping stones in the shade, choose soleirolia ‘Baby’s tears’ or pratia. All of the plants noted will tolerate light foot traffic.

Q. I want to landscape near my swimming pool, but I don’t want to have to fish leaves and debris out of it all the time. Any suggestions?

A.  It pays to think ahead. Plants placed around pools should be as litter-free as possible, and there are many available. Palms, cannas, anigozanthos, feijoa, camellias, hydrangea, pittosporum, limonium, raphiolepis and strelitzia are just a few that will add beauty but not a lot of extra work around pools.

Q. I want to incorporate a tropical feel into my landscape, what plants can I use for tropical effects?

A.  Everything grows large in the tropics so think big and lush for greenery. And flowers have a lot of competition for propagation, so their blooms are typically brilliant to attract the birds and bees and such. To recreate the effect, choose Palms, cannas, musa, bougainvillea, mandevilla, philodendron, zantedeschia, passiflora and most ferns to create your tropical setting.

Q. What trees have vivid and unique flowers?

A. Many trees are known for their unique flowers and beauty. Some of the most vivid are Coral trees, Hong Kong Orchid trees and Gold Medallion trees. Coral trees have brilliant blooms ranging from greenish-white, to yellow, light orange, and light red to orange and red. The blooms from the Hong Kong Orchid trees are deep maroon and purple to pale rose pink. Gold Medallion trees are known for their deep yellow flowers.

This feature is provided by Miramar Wholesale Nurseries, Southern California’s leading supplier of landscape plant material and supplies. MWN grows a wide variety of perennials, shrubs and distinctive trees at each of its three locations to supply landscape professionals and nurseries in the region and around the country with high-quality plant materials. MWN is a member of TruGreen LandCare, a ServiceMaster company.