As I had mentioned in a previous post, I just started working with my brother-in-law on landscaping his property and for purposes of this post I wanted to discuss using shrubs/trees for screening purposes. Below are two photos of the areas we are looking to plant a screening in their backyard.
As you can see, the neighbors are right on top of them so screening is a vital part of this project.
Here are the details:
- Zone 6
- Typical NJ clay soil
- Would classify both areas as partial sun
- They plan on living here for another 3-5 years
Now my thoughts:
- I think a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs is the best bet to keep it interesting.
- We should purchase larger specimens for more immediate impact since they do not plan on living there long term and will help with re-sale.
- The shrubs/trees need to be relatively narrow (no more than 4 to 5 feet wide) so as not to impede movement in the backyard.
- Ideally would like to add smaller perennials/annuals underneath the screening to make sure it doesn’t just look like a bunch of shrubs lined up like soldiers.
Here is where I struggle a bit – plant selection. What I am leaning towards for now:
- Ilex (Hollies) – they do well in our acidic soil, are evergreen, have Winter interest and are readily available.
- Deciduous shrubs with contrasting foliage color – I’m thinking a Ninebark like ‘Diablo’ or a Weigela like ‘Summer Wine’ since they can also be pruned for size if necessary.
- Conifers for contrasting texture although larger sized options are expensive.
- Larger upright Ornamental Grasses just cause they are all sorts of awesome.
That’s what I got right now. I still need to draw up a more formal version of the plan but this is where I plead for your feedback since I have to see these people a lot and I cannot have them hating on me.
Thank you and good night.
On the teal house side, I would go all mixed evergreens.
The other side, I like your idea of mixed shrubs and grasses – maybe a few flowering trees, or better yet FRUIT TREES!! Yum! You could do an orchard line up 🙂
I can’t offer advice on what to plant up in NJ, but I can tell you that a screen doesn’t always have to be a straight row of shrubs (or trees). Sometimes you can stagger things closer and farther from where you need privacy. I’d recommend evergreens for the most crucial spots, so he can have year-round privacy.
I like the idea of hollies. There are a variety of cultivars which are great. My neighbor built an enormous workshop which we saw whenever we looked out our front windows. I planted a screen of hemlock, cedar, holly, Arizona cypress, Japanese maple, redbud and dogwood trees.The foliage colors complement each other well. Now that view is quite lovely with just the top of his workshop peeking over. You obviously don’t need all that, but I think a variety of evergreen and deciduous plants , with colorful foliage and some flowers, would be beautiful.
Hi;
Popped over to say hello and thank you so much for the follow. I look forward to watching your progress. Perhaps you could plant some shade loving climbing vines at the base of your young trees? I did this with my saplings so they wouldn’t look scraggly. Instead they are covered with clematis flowers during most of the summer. Just a thought. Happy Gardening!
I have to agree with some of the others regarding evergreens as the screen and staggering them. How about Photinia ‘Red Robin’, Prunus laurocerasus (Laurel), Laurus nobilis (Sweet Bay), Choisya ternata, Camellia…?
Hope it goes well and don’t forget to post a piccie of the finished border!
I’m in favor of hollies (much interest here) and Laurels. The evergreen row is a must in a few places, and a lovely blue spruce maybe in the corner (going for color and cover…don’t know about the soil/zone conditions – I’ll leave that to you). Arbovitae are a favorite of mine as they are evergreen and pretty, and somewhat less expensive than other options. To mix it up, you could be creative and add a few tall structural screens inbetween evergreens and add climbing vines. Or simple wooden screens between arbovitae with a piece of art or lighting option. I don’t want to get too crazy…! Keep us updated. I’m looking forward to tracking the progress.
PS..maples are fast growers and relatively inexpensive for a spot that winter screening is not imperative.
I imagine the neighbors will be happy with your screening plants too 🙂
In the larger, upright ornamental grasses category (which I am glad you are considering), might I suggest Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, which gets about seven feet tall here (5 or 6 in most other places) and is quite narrow. It provides interest for 8 or 9 months of the year here, the other “off” months it is buried under several feet of snow. I’ve never regretted planting mine and have a front yard privacy hedge of it.
Christine in Alaska
I’m never very good at giving people ideas of what to plant, unless I’m standing in the yard with them. When I just see pictures of a yard in another state, I’m at a loss lol. I usually just say, ‘Yeah, what they said is good.’ 😛 Good luck!