Knowledgebase

replace box wood with native plants #861086

Asked March 10, 2024, 10:40 PM EDT

I live in a condo in downtown Portland where the builder used boxwood and juniper accent plants. What native plants would you recommend to replace the boxwood and juniper? I would like to use native plants like oregon grape that are low maintenance and low water users.

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question, Brooks.  Are these to be planted in native soil, or containers?  That's important to selecting the right mature plant size.  It's also important to know how much sun they get, whether the soil drains, and whether there are condo restrictions on species and/or size.  I suggest that you use the following plant finder to select the appropriate species for this specific location:  http://pnwplants.wsu.edu/Search.aspx
Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied March 11, 2024, 3:26 PM EDT
Thanks for the WSU extension pointer. It looks daunting. The  boxwood and the juniper are all in containers. Some with good drainage and some not so good. Partial sun everywhere. All the boxwoods are short (2ft) hedges. The Junipers are tall stand alone plants.
What would you use?
Thanks for your help,,
brooks hickerson
Pinnacle landscape committee


At some point in life the world’s beauty becomes enough. You don’t need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough.

Toni Morrison


On Mon, Mar 11, 2024 at 12:26 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 11, 2024, 4:44 PM EDT
Brooks:  I am somewhat leery of providing suggestions because I am a Master Gardener, and authorized only to provide suggestions on home horticulture.  I have tracked down a photo of your roof garden; the structures seem to be few and far between, and, from what I can see, have juniper which will, in time, become rootbound, and their roots will cease to have enough space to take up enough water and nutrients.

Perhaps you can answer a few more questions:  how often is water and fertilizer applied, and by whom (homeowners, committee members and/or landscape professionals)?  Does your HO committee want to stick with landscape plants, or are they interested in a "green roof" that can produce vegetables and fruits (in addition to cooling the surface to reduce heat on the upper floors)?  Here's an OSU article about some of the considerations for doing that:  https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9202-vegetated-roofs-low-impact-development-fact-sheet  (Note that there are load and construction necessities in order to do this safely.)   The Portland Building has an eco-roof, but nowhere for tenants in the building to use the space for socializing, etc.  If you could please let me know of your goals, that would be helpful.  But, if you're just looking for replacements for the boxwood and the junipers, this searchable website can help you match your roof's environment with many native plant possibilities:  http://pnwplants.wsu.edu/Search.aspx
An Ask Extension Expert Replied March 11, 2024, 7:41 PM EDT
Thanks. You are very helpful. I did not know we had a green roof. They dont let the residents up there. 
You are right about the juniper and boxwood getting overgrown and root bound in pots. We hope to replace the concrete pots and these plants with something native. This is a 7th floor deck. We have a professional care company, but less care required is better. I will check out your suggested websites, and any suggestions you can offer will be most helpfull.
Thanks,
Brooks
PS. I dont like boxwood and juniper.

Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being given the opportunity to do so.

Doris Lessing
http://www.pleinairbrooks.org/



   

On Mon, Mar 11, 2024, 4:41 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 11, 2024, 9:24 PM EDT
Brooks: your boxwoods may be suffering from several diseases,  effects such as underwatering and/or overwatering, or sunburn.  Ditto the junipers.  What do you mean that "they don't let residents up there"?  Who are "they"?  If this is a common space, it should be available to all owners.  You probably don't have a "green roof" because it isn't designed to be eco-friendly.  (Quote's aren't helpful.)
An Ask Extension Expert Replied March 11, 2024, 9:50 PM EDT
THanks Ask, i will check to see if we have a green roof. not to worry about what is killing boxwood...we plan to replace them with new pots/soil/plants.
I am just looking for advice on plants to replace boxwoods and junipers.
I appreciate your pointers to plant selection tools.
Thanks,
brooks

At some point in life the world’s beauty becomes enough. You don’t need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough.

Toni Morrison


On Mon, Mar 11, 2024 at 6:50 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 13, 2024, 2:38 PM EDT
I suggest that you look through the "Shrubs" listed in the following, so you can see what they look like, how large they get (many at least as tall as treed), and what their sun and water needs are.  https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1577-gardening-oregon-native-plants-west-cascades#selecting-plants

If these plants appear to become too large for the space, you might consider some of the "Perennials and ferns" listed further into the article.  Groupings of them with similar needs--especially water--could be far more interesting than shrubs.

I hope this is helpful.


An Ask Extension Expert Replied March 13, 2024, 3:49 PM EDT
Very helpful. thank you.
brooks
At some point in life the world’s beauty becomes enough. You don’t need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough.

Toni Morrison


On Wed, Mar 13, 2024 at 12:49 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 13, 2024, 7:52 PM EDT
Welcome!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied March 13, 2024, 8:01 PM EDT

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