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I have a narrow planting strip 3' at one end, 5' at the other) that runs between an upper and lower driveway on a sloping lot. A beautiful (old and very well constructed) basalt rock wall separates the two levels, such that the planting strip sits atop the wall, with good planting depth. There is an old dogwood tree anchoring the strip at one end which is deeply troubled by anthracnose, but I am hoping to save it.
I think I need 3 or 4 repeating landscaping elements (exclamation points) around which to build the planting design. Because of the narrowness of the strip and the height of the wall, I think these need to be a narrow profile and 6'(min) - 10'. I'm nervous about putting something whose root structure will compromise the wall integrity. Thought about Karl Foerster grass, but don't think he is tall enough. Want something with more than one season of interest because the strip is so visible in the landscaping.
Shrub / grass / tree ideas? Would a small tree damage the wall if there is enough depth of soil for the roots?

Why not junipers although their roots do spread. I like Blue Pacific.

but Blue Pacific is a prostrate juniper. OP asked about something 6 - 10 feet tall.

How about sky pencil juniper

[img]https://smallplants.com/images/ilex%20cren%20sky2.JPG[/img]

or sky pencil holly

[img]https://www.brighterblooms.com/images/D/Sky-Pencil-Holly.jpg[/img]

If I'm understaning correctly, the wall is level and that is why it is 5ft high on one end and 3ft on the other. Are you trying to hide something? Why do you need a screening 9ft to 15ft tall? Can you plant trees behind the wall and some smaller shrubs and cascading plants on the wall.

Welcome to the forum

Eric

I think he is saying the planting strip is 3 feet WIDE at one end and 5 feet WIDE at the other end. And he is looking for 6 - 10 foot tall narrow shrubs to be repeating elements as in my photos.

I.e. something like the sky pencils, that gets tall without branching out so that it fits in a narrow space. And no, not for screening.

This is why I think pictures are so vital.

My questions are still valid.

Eric

Hey Hogpen, we need you to come back and clarify!

First off, I'm envious of your location as you can grow just about anything with extreme success. I would pick a Chamacyparis obtusa 'Wells Form', and a grouping of Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'. Both of these plants offer seasonal interest with a nice contrast in texture, color, and form. The Wells Form is one of my very favorite plants and serves as a living sculpture. Neither will cause any root/wall problems. The 'Sky Pencil' and especially the 'Skyrocket' that were mentioned have major issues here in the Bluegrass State. Winter die-back with the holly and tip-blight with the juniper. Picea pungens 'Blue Totum' is a very nice plant as well. Stay away from the identical looking Picea pungens 'Fastigiata' because it opens up with age or snow and is not attractive at all.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Spiralis' is REALLY cool too, by the way.

WildcatNurseryman wrote:First off, I'm envious of your location as you can grow just about anything with extreme success. I would pick a Chamacyparis obtusa 'Wells Form', and a grouping of Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'. Both of these plants offer seasonal interest with a nice contrast in texture, color, and form. The Wells Form is one of my very favorite plants and serves as a living sculpture. Neither will cause any root/wall problems. The 'Sky Pencil' and especially the 'Skyrocket' that were mentioned have major issues here in the Bluegrass State. Winter die-back with the holly and tip-blight with the juniper. Picea pungens 'Blue Totum' is a very nice plant as well. Stay away from the identical looking Picea pungens 'Fastigiata' because it opens up with age or snow and is not attractive at all.

The chamacyparis obtusa is aka Hinoki cypress and the camagrostis acutiflora is feather reed grass.

Sorry. I usually skip the common names, especially with False Cypress, to avoid any confusion that comes into play with a plant that includes hundreds of varieties. Habit.