Hello please refer to my photo attached. I would like to grow a dense shrub against my exterior front wall. I will be removing the existing plants. I was thinking 3gal hicks yew for this project. Would love your recommendation and how far apart should they
Be planted?
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners about a dense evergreen shrub for the border bed along your front wall. The photo makes clear what you are aiming to achieve.
Hicks Yew is a great choice for under your home’s front window. This attractive and easy to grow shrub does well in hardiness zone 4, and therefore well adapted to Toronto’s growing conditions. It’s does well in sun to shade and well drained soil. Is this your soil type? I include resources further down about how to achieve healthy soil for garden beds.
Hicks Yew is a slow growing shrub so it’ll be easy for you to control the size and shape so it compliments your space. Follow the instructions on the tag from the nursery to determine planting distance. I encourage before you settle on quantity and size to buy, you go through the the resources I provide below about how to pick and care for shrubs, including evergreens.
The first is a Gardening Guide by Toronto Master Gardeners that details how to choose the right shrubs for different growing conditions. And who knows? You may notice another equally suitable dense shrub or shrubs that fit within your vision for your garden. SHRUBS FOR VARIOUS LIGHT CONDITION
The second resource is specifically about Hicks Yew. ABOUT YEW
I wish you all the best planting and growing your new evergreen shrub.