Need plant ideas (evergreen)

amz05

This is my lovely picture I made in paint. The area slopes downward so it was built up iwth the rocks to make it more level, its about 5-6 ft wide

 

We currently have emerald green arborvitae here, just planted last yr. The ones all the way to the right didnt seem to get enough water last yr after planting so they need to be replaced this yr.

my question: is there something else that could be planted here besides arbs?

 I'm looking for something that stays green in winter, i think we are zone 5 or 6, south, full sun, prone to winds, fast growing a plus

~NB~

Sure, lots of things could be planted there instead of arbs.

How many arbs died? What is it about them that you dislike (so nobody suggests something with the same objectionable characteristic)?

amz05

there are 4 that died.

One thing I dislike about them is their tendency to get spider mites, also it seems that they always get brown in the middle, which can be related to mites.

in general I hate that plants can show the same symptoms if they are over watered or underwatered. So a plant that could handle more or less water would be nice.

for instance I know willows can be difficult to over water, so I wouldn't worry about watering them too much, with arbs, its harder for me to tell.

TarHeels&Rebels

Have you thought of putting soaker hoses in the bed?  That way all you have to do is turn on the spigot and not stand there with a hose.  You can even buy an auto-timer so you don't even have to turn on the spigot.

 

 

amz05

TarHeels&Rebels:

Have you thought of putting soaker hoses in the bed?

yes I have. I even have one sitting in my garage.
 I just wondered if there was a possibly a better/different plant for the area also

MMP

Hollies. 

~NB~

It is almost impossible to overwater plants that are in the ground. Unless you see standing water that remains pooled on the surface for over an hour, it is unlikely that they're being overwatered. If you see symptoms that might indicate lack of water or too much water, I would put my money on LACK of water every time, unless there's been a flood and the plants have been submerged for a while.

When you pull the dead arbs out of the ground, were the roots dripping, or wet and slimy? If not, they didn't die from excess water and root rot.

GoldenGibson

I would venture to guess that your problem is not plant selection, it's plant care. Generally plants need to be well watered until they are established and it seems as though that may have been your downfall. Also, what time of year did you plant them? How big were they when you planted them? Arborvitaes are very hardy and I would normally say difficult to kill...

I would also say that it would look silly to half half a row of arbs and half a row of another evergreen...

amz05

~NB~:

It is almost impossible to overwater plants that are in the ground. Unless you see standing water that remains pooled on the surface for over an hour,

that's a great tip, thanks!
We haven't pulled them out yet so I can't check their roots.