I had a contractor cut down about 10 Rose of Sharon full grown trees to install a window. I need to have something planted to replace them at a reasonable cost, maybe about 6′ tall. Can you recommend something and they are also planted very close to my foundation. Is that a problem?
Thank you for any assistance and information.
I am sure you miss the long lasting blossoms of the Rose of Sharon trees.
Since I don’t know the orientation of your yard (which direction the window faces), it is difficult to answer your question properly. What I can do is recommend some reading on the topic of small shrubs and trees. Your local library and the library at the Toronto Botanical Garden will have a great selection.
I highly recommend Landscape Planning by Judith Adam. It’s my go-to resource for top ten suggestions for every situation in the garden
Some nurseries have done a great job of describing their plants on their websites and brochures.
The fact that the garden is right next to the foundation is a big factor in choosing the plants. This can be one of the driest areas of your yard. Be careful to choose plants whose roots will not damage the house or the water pipes.
If your Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) trees were happy until they were chopped down, then it would be ideal to replace them with some of the dwarf varieties. Look up Lil’ Kim Rose of Sharon and you’ll discover that it loves the environment you have described. You didn’t say where you live, but this variety can survive the winters of up to Zone 5, which goes up to Georgian Bay!
