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 enclosed 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. 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. In the
gallery of plants section there may be other privacy trees that would work for you.
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.