I'm looking to replace some overgrown arborvitae that are getting ripped out tomorrow. A while back, I had my landscaper remove a yew hedge and I insisted on low-maintenance plants because I hate trimming. Unfortunately, these emerald arborvitae have turned out to be a lot of work! I'm in zone 7 with a northern-facing yard that gets full sun, and there's some existing landscaping around, including a Weigela and Rudbeckia. I could really use suggestions on plants that would thrive in this setup and not overshadow or smother the existing ones. Ideally, I'm hoping for something that stays around 3 to 4 feet tall, but I'm open to options!
2 Answers
It’s also important to think about your specific region in Missouri. Not all plants thrive everywhere! I recommend checking out some native options like Butterfly Weed or maybe some compact ornamental grasses. They’d look nice and blend well with your existing plants.
Make sure to consider the size you're aiming for! Since you mentioned 3-4 feet, a few great options could be dwarf boxwoods, which are hardy and easy to maintain. You might also want to look into hydrangeas like Little Lime that won’t overwhelm your space and provide some lovely blooms!
Yeah, boxwoods are a solid choice! If you're into flowering plants, maybe some dwarf spireas or azaleas would work too!

Thanks for reminding me about natives! I hadn’t considered those but they could definitely work well!