Privacy Screen Using Trees And Shrubs

Privacy screens using trees and shrubs have a two fold effect on your property. It not only provides seclusion for you and your family, the plants also enhance the beauty of your landscape.

There have been many people asking about what type of trees to plant in a backdrop setting along a fence, or in other areas of their yard. Below are some suggestions for some evergreen trees and shrubs that are fairly fast growers.

The Black Dragon Cryptomeria is a great upright tree. It does well in zones five through nine. In the colder climates, it will turn a brownish color throughout the winter months. This is a great specimen to do in a straight row, staggered, or mingle with some other privacy plants.

There are a couple of options for you to think about when considering a backdrop for you yard. Some people install a fence and decide they want to add some color with a row or a staggered row of trees or tall shrubs.

Other people want their yard to have a feeling of a total privacy area. Putting trees along an outdoor feature or around your entire yard, is a great way to accomplish this.

There are many different species that would work, any many of these trees and shrubs will grow in a variety of climates.

Many of you are thinking about a fall or spring project that may be in your future. Now is a great time to start to plan for this project. Besides a fence or enclosing an area, planting around a pool, deck or along the side of your house are popular for using a backdrop setting.

The Leyland Cypress is one of the most popular large upright trees in zones six through ten. This tree will grow anywhere from three to four feet a year. A row of Leylands along a fence or across a backyard creates a feeling of being surrounded by nature, as well as providing great privacy.

The Emerald Green Arborvitae is one of my favorite upright trees. It grows well in zones three through seven. I have incorporated this plant specimen in a variety of different gardens. The Emerald Green has a rich green color year around and also grows three to four feet a year. I love to plant this tree with variegated tall shrubs. It creates a colorful backdrop.

The Tea Olive or Osmanthus is a great flowering ornamental tree that grows well in zones seven through ten. If you live in a warmer base climate zones, the Tea Olive is a great choice.

Taylor's Guide to Shrubs: How to Select and Grow More than 500 Ornamental and Useful Shrubs for Privacy, Ground Covers, and Specimen Plantings is a incredible book.

Kathleen Fisher takes you in depth of a variety of ornamental shrubs. Fantastic reviews and one book that is worth the value for your own outside investment.

I have a couple of these specimens in my landscape and its tiny white flowers produce a wonderful aroma. The flowers are in blossom throughout the entire year. Here is a little more detail on the Osmanthus specimen.

The Carolina Sapphire or Arizona Cypress is a great teal color tree. It will grow in zones six through nine and has been known to do fine in zone ten. This is a wonderful accent tree as when it rains, the needle like leaves glisten. Stunning tree to put with an Emerald Green Arborvitae for great privacy.













The False Cypress is a very popular variegated tree. It grows well in zones three through seven. This is an upright but also is a wider specimen. Its long needle like leaves are green and yellow tones. This is a great tree to plant with some Leylands or Tea Olives. The birds love building their nests in this tree.

The Loropetalum is a fast growing flowering shrub. There are different varieties and the Loropetalum does well in zones five through eight. The pink flowers appear in the spring and continue on throughout the summer months. The leaves are purple and green and this is a fantastic plant to put with a False Cypress or a solid green evergreen.













The Lemon Thread Cypress is a smaller version of the False Cypress. Its characteristics are the same as a False Cypress and also a fast grower. The Lemon Thread shrub fits into any style garden and especially and area that has some outdoor features such as bird feeders and bird baths.

The Cleyera is another fast growing shrub. It will do better in a warmer climate of zones seven through nine. This is a full shrub and the leaves will change color when fall approaches. A little more detail on the Cleyera can be found in the landscape article section.

The Variegated Privet is a favorite large shrub of zones six through ten. The leaves are a cream color and green. This is a full shrub and also a fast grower. It can get leggy and may have to be pruned to keep under control.

This is a shrub that will need some space to mature. The root system once established buries itself deep into the ground. A great specimen to compliment a solid evergreen such as the Emerald Green above.

These ten plant specimens are just a few suggestions for a privacy screen against a fence or lining a part of your yard.

I wanted to give you some ideas to think about if you are planning on putting up a privacy screen on your property.

I hope these few specimens or any others found on this Web site will get the ball rolling for you to plan your upcoming landscape project.