We are making some major changes to our lot. A previous owner planted American holly on each end of the porch foundation. The southernmost is also about a foot from the house foundation. The northernmost is also a foot or two from the front sidewalk. Between them is about a 6 foot high privet hedge along the front porch.
The northermost holly is around 22 feet high. The southernmost is around 35 feet high. Both hollies have spreadingroots. The northernmost holly may have been responsible for the smallcrack in the front sidewalk. I am worried about both going into the foundation as well as undermining the front steps. I LOVE hollies..they are great all year, flower very early & pollinators LOVE them..and in lare winter a mockingbird, HUNDREDS of robins, and some cedar waxwingshave a feeding frenzy on the berries. I loathe privet for its invasiveness and the fact that it really doesn't do much except grow...meaning no other features like attractive or scented flowers, food for wildlife, etc.
So...it's early in our process but I am looking for options. I do love hollies for a variety of reasons. I am thinking of going with some lower growing holies to use as an evergreen hedge hoping they are thick enough to screen the street. To replace the American hollies, maybe Italian cypress/pencil pine...hoping for roots that will go straight down and not spread into the foundation. I am also hoping for the same from the lower growingholly roots.
If I could work in bananna magnolia and Korean spice viburnum and not worry about root damage...also great. Can anyone comment on these issues? Recommend other plants? Plants with multiple considerations are plusses...
BTW.. 3 story Victorian house, not much landscaping on the front of the houses on either side (which are close) so statement planting would help all of us.
