Our front garden has come a long way since building our home 4 years ago here on Camano Island. A big challenge is developing the best approach to hiding the two large propane tanks that sit at the NW corner of the house.
We can’t plant anything directly in the ground as this is also where all the septic and electric lines are buried that run out to their destinations. Our thinking is to use two large containers, placed right at the corner of the house (so as not to crowd access to the propane tank or septic control).
We think some type of evergreen shrub or bush, in large containers, would be good and we are looking for ideas and suggestions. Something dense enough to form a screen and hide the tanks, and would do well being potted.
Himalayan Sweet Box, Dwarf Japanese Skimmia, and Oregon Grape have caught our interest. We are just not sure how well they would do potted, and in this area that gets partial sun during the morning and late afternoon.
Thank you for any ideas and suggestions!
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Replies
Camano Island is such a great place. I think you would need something a bit taller than the plants you are considering. Ideally the plants should be 2/3 of the total height needed with the container being 1/3. Some things that would do well are yew (Taxus bacata, Taxus hicksii, or cephalotaxus harringtonia fastigiata), which would all do well in pots for a long period of time. They also tolerate sun or shade. You could also use a couple of rectangular containers with a trellis on the back. This would give you the opportunity to grow a dense fragrant vine or espallier. The trellis adds a quick screening element while the plants grow. Hope these suggestions help