Who needs to put up an expensive fence when you can grow one for much less? Plus, trees and shrubs that give you great privacy also make for some awesome looking landscaping. That’s what I’m talking about in this week’s eHow installation.
For the past month or so I’ve been dreaming about privacy hedges and trees morning, noon and night. I know, it’s kind of weird, huh? The things is, we’ve always had a fence. But the house we just bought a few weeks ago doesn’t have one, and to be completely honest, I don’t think it would look good with one.
So that puts me in sort of a pickle.
I like privacy — a lot. But planting rows of privacy trees or shrubs around the perimeter of our property is going to be a big investment, so I want to get it right…the first time.
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Marla says
Try planting a privacy hedge that is Evergreen and fragrant. I am in North Carolina and I love Tea olive shrubs. Very fragrant.
Mavis says
Those do smell awesome!
Lorraine says
We live in Gig Harbor and have a very small lot. The previous owner planted arborvitae and they form a great privacy hedge. We keep them at about 8 feet and they get trimmed once a year. By the time we trim them they have grown up to 6 inches and do look a little straggely. This coming year we will have to trim the sides because they are growing out into the yard. I am not sure how that will look.
Andy Priesmeyer says
Hello Lorraine
My evergreens are about 8′ and would like to trim but do not know anything about it. They are getting into the security lights an causing them to go on and off. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Best Wishes,
Andy Priesmeyer
Jodie says
I’ve been dreaming the same thing all summer!! Every time our neighbors dog sees us she barks and barks. So far we’ve planted a couple different clumping bamboos, golden and dragon. Golden will get about 20 feet tall and dragon is good hedge like that only gets 8feet tall, 5ft wide and quite thick. We saw it in a WSU extent ion garden near where the Tulip Festival is in WA. You don’t have to worry about clumping bamboo being invasive like the spreading variety. I also love the tall grasses, but am not sure which variety to get. Help on that please!
I hope there are lots of comments because that’s my project as soon as I get a good plan!
Mavis says
I’m hoping for a bunch of comments too for as many tips as possible before I plan my yard out!
Renay says
As a former Nursery worker BK (before kids), we sold a TON of arborvitae/pyramidalis – and by the way, let me tell you, that job was PURE FUN!!! They are great hedge plants, but can get big, though it takes a long time if not in optimum place and if not watered well. Hot summers/dry spells can kill these guys quick, so you need to be aware of that. Learn from my previous home owners mistake and don’t plant English laurel – you cannot kill it and it is a monster. How about multiple plantings? I always love Pieris Japonica, honey bees love it, lots of interest all year round. You could plant a fragrant sarcococca under it. A little more visually interesting…
Mavis says
That job sounds like a blast! And thanks for all the tips.
Heather says
We just planted a row of Green Giant’s across the backyard (15 to be exact) all starting out around 3ft tall. I chose to plant 4 Emerald’s in the front yard (they will eventually hide the camper from street view). According to the nursery we purchased from, it is best to plant in October once the temps have cooled off.