Photina; Fast growing border plants

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Question:

I’m am looking for some type of shrub (preferably evergreen) to create a border along a chain link fence I have along the back of my house. I would like to to grow to be at least 6′ high. I am looking for something that grows fairly quickly. The area I want to plant in does not get an awful lot of sunlight. I am located in the Northwest. Photina has been suggested to me, does this meet my requirements? Any other suggestions? Also, let me add I don’t want to have it be relatively inexpensive. Mike Wallach

We have planted a variety of pittosporum in a place without a lot of light (up against the house, facing east, only early morning sun). They grow well, and some varieties get very tall. They are also pretty, and they bloom with white flowers that smell lovely. — –Mindy Mindy Machanic (AG Communication Systems/Quality Engineering, Phoenix, AZ) (This space available for interesting messages and the usual disclaimers…)

Response:

I have photinas on the N. side of my house in SE Virginia. They grow considerably taller than 6′, and they grow quickly. I now know that if you want a 5′ hedge, it’s unwise to use bushes that have to be pruned severely every 20 minutes to keep them from covering the windows. The photinas are reasonably attractive, with new foliage coming out dark red and turning to glossy green at maturity. It also has fairly insignificant white flowers in the Spring.

Response:

Wallach) writes: I’m am looking for some type of shrub (preferably evergreen) to create a border along a chain link fence I have along the back of my house. …. Photina has been suggested to me, does this meet my requirements? I have photinas on the N. side of my house in SE Virginia. They grow considerably taller than 6′, and they grow quickly. I now know that if you want a 5′ hedge, it’s unwise to use bushes that have to be pruned severely every 20 minutes to keep them from covering the windows.

It depends upon which variety of Photinia you get. The Japanese Photinia will only grow to 6′ to 10′ tall, and the "fraseri" grows to about 10′. Beyond those two, the Chinese Photinia grows to 35′ unless pruned, and the "villosa" grows to 15′. The above information was taken from the Sunset Western Garden Book. I was not at all impressed with this particular book when I first looked through it, but I have found it to be invaluable as I have been designing the landscaping around my house. It takes a little getting used to, but it is very good. bills — Women and cats do as they please. Men and dogs had best learn to live with it.

Response:

<The above information was taken from the Sunset Western Garden Book. <I was not at all impressed with this particular book when I first <looked through it, but I have found it to be invaluable as I have <been designing the landscaping around my house. It takes a little <getting used to, but it is very good. I’m just curious. What is it about this book that you found took some getting used to? And why weren’t you impressed at first?

Response:

Re:Summer seeds don’t bloom I bought some packet seeds for summer from England. Then I brought them back to Singapore, and planted them in pots, which were put in the shade. The plants have grown, and the foliage is fresh and green. But the blooms are not appearing. I have put the pots out in the sunshine, but there are still no blooms. I have also fed them with plant food. Can anyone on the net advise me on this? Thanks

Response:

Depends what plant the seeds are????? If it’s a temperate plant, your 12 hour tropical days are probably not long enough to induce flowering. Try withholding water to stress the plant and using a fertilizer with PK only, no nitrogen. By the way, speaking of Singapore, do you eat Durians?

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