Green Screens: Choosing Evergreen Plants that Offer Privacy
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Landscape Specialist Austin Lohin discusses the best evergreen trees and shrubs to plant for added privacy in the garden. Get advice on how to care for evergreen trees and shrubs, and learn about common mistakes people make when planting privacy screens. Whether you are screening the neighbors, a pool, or a busy street there is a tree or shrub that will suit your needs.
Plants Mentioned in this Webinar:
Tall & Thin Screening Plants:
Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja)
Mature size: 3-4' wide, 15-20' tall
Highlights: Stays full and leafy all the way to the ground.
Common Problems: This tree is not native to Tennessee, and may need more watering and care in times of heat and drought.
Taylor Juniper (Juniperus)
Mature size: 3-4' wide 30-40' tall
Highlights: Native to the United States, this tree is extremely drought resistant once established.
Common Problems: This tree has a tendency to defoliate a bit lower down, leaving the trunk exposed.
Tall & Wide Evergreen Screening Plants:
Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja)
Mature size: 8' wide, 30' tall
Highlights: Heat tolerant, attractive pyramidal form, fast-growing.
Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis)
Mature size: 8' wide, 30' tall
Highlights: Attractive pyramidal form.
Common Problems: This tree is susceptible to canker disease, which can affect the look of the foliage.
Arizona Cypress (Cupressus)
Mature size: 10-12' wide, 30' tall
Highlights: Blue hued foliage, drought-resistant, fast-growing, and stays wide from the base of the tree to the top of the tree.
Hollywood Juniper (Juniperus)
Mature Size: 8-10' wide, 20' tall
Highlights: Interesting and unique contorted growth habit.
Nellie R. Stevens Holly (Ilex)
Mature size: 10-15' wide, 25-30' tall
Highlights: Glossy leaves with abundant berry production, nice pyramidal shape, fast-growing.
Common Problems: Hollies get large! Do not plant them close to house foundations or privacy fences, as it will make them difficult to prune.
Lower-Growing Wide Hedges
Needlepoint Holly (Ilex)
Mature Size: 10-12' wide, 15' tall, but can be pruned to 6-8' tall.
Highlights: Fast growing, glossy leaves
Common Problems: Hollies get large! Do not plant them close to house foundations or privacy fences, as it will make them difficult to prune.
Schipkaensis (Schip) Laurel (Prunus)
Mature Size: 5-7' wide, 10-12' tall. Can be pruned to 6-8' tall.
Highlights: Glossy foliage all the way to the ground.
Common Problems: Laurels are susceptible to shothole fungus. Do not overhead irrigate laurels, wet foliage creates a perfect breeding ground for shothole fungus.
Otto Luyken Laurel (Prunus)
Mature Size: 3-4' wide, 6-8' tall
Highlights: Glossy foliage all the way to the ground.
Common Problems: Laurels are susceptible to shothole fungus. Do not overhead irrigate laurels, wet foliage creates a perfect breeding ground for shothole fungus.
Wide Hedges
Elaeagnus
Mature Size: 10-12' wide, 10-12' tall
Highlights: Fast growing, low-care shrub. Perfect for a large planting area.
Common Problems: Be sure to space properly to give this plant room to grow.
Red-Tipped Photinia
Mature Size: 20' wide by 20' tall, but can be pruned to 6' by 6'.
Highlights: Attractive red-tipped foliage, fast growing and easy to care for. In a hedge it looks clean and tidy especially if pruned and spaced properly.
Common Problems: Can get large, be sure to space properly.
Golden Mop Cypress (Chamaecyparis)
Mature Size: 8-10' wide at the base, 10-15' tall.
Highlights: Interesting billowing pyramidal growth habit, beautiful golden foliage. Can be used as a specimen plant or in a hedge.
Common Problems: When these are sold, before they are mature, they look round. However, they grow into tall pyramids, and do better in the back row or as a feature plant in a garden. To achieve optimal golden foliage, grow this conifer in the full sun.
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