Landscaping & Design/curly willow arch

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Expert: Marc Chapelle, RLA - 6/29/2009


Question
hello.  i have 2 curly willows approximately 15 feet away and would like to have them arch together to create a 'natural arbor' - i'm also interested in 'living fences' -- any recommendations?

Answer
As to letting the willows grow together for a natural "arch", I think you've picked fine plant material to accomplish this.  It may take a while for them to grow together, but they can get upwards of 30-feet tall.  Bbent over in an arch would be much less, of course!

http://www.naturalfencing.com/images/additional1/177_resized.jpg
http://www.theecologycentre.org/assets/images/Willow_tunnel.JPG

I’m sure yours will be much nicer than these two quick pictures I grabbed off of the internet.

As to "living fences" here is a link:
http://landscaping.about.com/cs/hedgesfences/a/privacy_fences.htm

The hedge-rows of Europe actually took up quite a bit of space, but were very thick and impenetrable to only the toughest of garden pests (and specially equipped allied tanks!)

If you are refering to vines growing though an established fence or frame, there are even more possible plants you could use - Climatis, morning glory, night-blooming jasmine, to name a few out of thousands of possibilities.

~Marc

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Marc Chapelle, RLA

Expertise

As a licensed Landscape Architect, I can answer general questions about style and design, ideas and suggestions for site amenities, larger site-planning issues, or recreation and park design. IF YOU ARE GOING TO ASK FOR A PLANT SUGGESTION GO HERE: http://www.growit.com/PlantInfo/LandScape.htm I prefer you ask somebody else why your petunias are not as perky as they should be...I'd LOVE to tell you how can use those petunias to increase your home's value!

Experience

20+ years of working with homeowners, contractors, developers and local civil engineering/architecture firms. I am located in the dry Great Basin area (Greater Nevada/Utah), so the use of landscape materials OTHER than plants is emphasized. As a licensed Landscape Architect I've worked on both the East and West Coasts.

Organizations
ASLA (ASLA.org)

Education/Credentials
BSLA in Landscape Architecture, 1989 Licensed in NV, CA, & VA - but can answer Q's across the country Many additional seminars, educational venues, and classes (both taught & attended)

Awards and Honors
Best Multifamily project, 1993 Best Model Home Landscaping, 1993

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