Question
Hi Thanks again for the response

Not sure which tree i have. My guess would be the Eastern Red Cedar.  It is a faily narrow tree.  There are no branches until about 8-10 feet up.  Grass grows really well underneath the trees with the exception of really hot August. Your question about what I a looking for is:  Colorful(not white flowers) shrubs that bloom mid to late summer and coverage between properties. I would like to see something pink or red
thanks
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Thanks for getting back to me so fast.  How can I tell what kind of Cedars I have? Is there a way I can send you picture?  Anyway, I guess what you are saying is depending on what kind of cedar trees I have depends on whether I can plant the "pinky winky' underneath, right?  As I said before, I am looking for cover between properties that have a pretty flower during mid to late summer, so if the "pinky winky' is not going to work, do you know of something that would?
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I was thinking of buying several of these perennials as a divider between properties. Something with color.  I have two questions.  How fast do they grow? How long does it take for these shrubs to get at a good full growth?  Also, I am planting then near cedar trees.  WIll they do ok or will they complete with the cedars.  It is also partial to full sun area
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Th "Pink Winky" test-tube Hydrangea Hybrid from Belgium is the latest work of Johan Van Huylenbroeek, a Flemish scientist.  He treated the popular, Barbie-esque, white-to-candycolored "Pink Diamond" Hydrangea Paniculata with a chemical that alters its chromosomes; ultimately his results yielded dramatically different offspring, and some of those genetically engineered mutants survived.  And one produced "Pinky Winky".  Cool, eh?

One of its biggest talents: Pinky blooms on new wood.  In some regions of the world, this is the Hydrangea they have all been waiting for.  Cold winters that used to destroy all of next year's blooms - no problem!  Pinky's 2007 flowers will not form until well past the last freeze.

But that's not the only reason two-toned Pinky Winky swept this year's Oscars.  Named by the good Doctor in homage to Tinky Winky, who gained world attention as the "gay" Teletubby for his purple costume, Pinky flowers all summer on strong, stiff stems that lift up the bicolored flowers.

All Hydrangeas take several years to begin looking their best.  The more work that goes into preparing the soil where this plant will grow, the better the outlook for your own Pinky.  Results also depend on the condition of the plant at the nursery when you bought it, the weather, and what you do to keep it happy.

As for venue, Cedars would win any competition, if there was ever going to be one.  Cedars are on the short list of plants that live long, healthy lives inside the dripline of the Black Walnut tree.  Most plant life ceases there; the roots of Black Walnuts and their relatives, Butternuts and Hickories, ooze with Juglones, a toxin that shuts down respiration in groundcovers and most other things you would normally grow without trouble under a tree.

But certain "Cedars" - the Eastern Red Cedar, at least, which are actually varieties of Juniper - remain nonplussed over Juglones.  Although there will inevitably be competition for light, air and food, there will be no mysterious fainting spells under your new trees that I know of.   At least among those trees belonging to the Juniperus
genus.  Shade under a Cedar is not usually "deep" as you would find under say an Oak or maple.

For clarification, I would need to know which "Cedar" you are contemplating.  The kind that is a Juniper, or the kind that is a Cedar, or other.

Thanks for writing, Caroline. rsvp!






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Look at these pictures and see if anything looks familiar:

Leaf sample illustrations for Northern White Cedar, Eastern Red Cedar, and Rocky Mountain Juniper: http://forestry.about.com/library/treekey/bltree_key_id_cedar.htm?terms=cedar+ju

Eastern Red Cedar (i.e., a juniper): http://forestry.about.com/library/tree/blerced.htm?terms=cedar+juniper

Eastern Red Cedar bark closeup: http://forestry.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.forestryimages.

Closeup, common Juniper, berries, Juniperis communis: http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/art-6178.

Eastern Red Cedar cones: http://forestry.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.forestryimages.

Description of different Cedars and links: http://forestry.about.com/cs/treeid/a/the_cedars.htm

Photograph of the Utah Juniper, Juniperus osteosperma: http://forestry.about.com/library/tree/blutahj.htm

Or, failing all of the above, or just for fun, see what you can do with the Tree-Finder: http://forestry.about.com/library/treekey/bltree_key_id_start.htm

Here's one writer's experience with Eastern Red Cedars, which you'll notice is a fairly narrow tree, with an extensive root system:  "...The cedars had grown so large that they not only closed the canopy at the site where they stood, but they also shaded out ground cover as far as 30 to 40 yards from the tree trunk. Also, the shallow lateral root system (typical of eastern red cedar), combined with heat reflection from the tree itself, was stunting natural ground cover by reducing available moisture..."  He was intent on leveling them to make way for other shrubs.

Let me know what you figure out you have.  Hydrangeas are useful in the right situation.  But are you looking for a colorful screen between the 2 properties?  Or just something to delineate the properties?  Let me know what you think you have and we'll pick up from there depending on what your goal is.  Thanks for your prompty reply.

Answer
Assuming you are in Zone 7, then, you might try the Pinky Winky introduction, which sounds very promising and will gradually get better and better.  It is undemanding and maintenance free except for watering on hot summer days and some friendly fertilizing.

Other shrubs you might consider: Kleim's Hardy Gardenia Jasminoides (a slow grower to about 4 feet but it is terrifically fragrant), Buddleia Davidii (several colors and varieties are available, and they grow very quickly), and Hibiscus ("Rose of Sharon"), a quickly establishing shrub which is more vertical than horizontal but blooms reliably.

Of these, the slightly fragrant Buddleia grows taller and thicker, more quickly, than the rest.  It blooms around mid-summer and continues through September.  Blossoms are usually blue.  And butterflies love it.

These need the sunniest spot you can give them under your tree.  Plant as far from the trunk as you can and prune tree branches high if that is possible.

Let me know if you need any more help with this.