We are looking to put in a natural privacy fence between our house and our neighbors. BUT I don't like the typical hedgerow look or those tall skinny pine trees (cypress maybe?).
Have any of you done this? Looking for recommendations for what to use. If you have pictures please share. I also prefer the plants to keep their leaves or needles year round
Help!
nectarine / 2085 posts
What zone are you in?
We have exclusively plants and trees as our "hedges." We have some formal hedges, but mostly they're informal. I would first go look up your county extension service and see what their gardening recommendations are for informal hedges and shade trees (since those tend to be fuller and provide more of a visual barrier, at least up high). If you pick plants that are native to your area, you'll have less maintenance in the long run and will be able to use little to no pesticides/fertilizers and less irrigation on them, which I think is a huge benefit if you've got children.
squash / 13208 posts
Not sure how you can avoid evergreens if you want them to keep the privacy year round.
We went with arborvitaes and have been very happy with them - I don't have a picture of ours but this looks similar
pomegranate / 3355 posts
@honeybear: zone 7
@Mamaof2: this is what was recommended. But we don't need or want them that tall...do you know if they can be cut down to stay shorter? We need like 3-5 ft tall
eggplant / 11824 posts
We have the same as @Mamaof2 has (arborvitaes), and they do have a smaller variety that doesn't grow as tall as some. My parents had a privacy shield of bamboo, but that was chosen in part because it grows real tall, real fast. Sounds like not what you are looking for.
Totally different thought: what about hydrangeas? They are bushy and can fill in very nicely in a row. My aunt has a privacy barrier made of them. Bonus is they are super lovely.
pomelo / 5129 posts
@yoursilverlining: Bamboo also isn't allowed in many areas because of how invasive it can be. Do your aunt's hydrangeas not die back in the winter? (I have some I'm fighting to keep alive, so I'm not really an expert! Just wondering if there are varieties that don't die back)
We have large azaleas in our back yard. They're probably 5-6 feet tall. But I imagine they've also been there for 30 years so I'm not sure how easily you can get them that huge off the bat?
We have a hedgerow of smaller ones between us and our next door neighbors, but we can literally step over them to go house to house.
eggplant / 11824 posts
@MaryM: oh, interesting about the bamboo! They planted it like 35 years ago, so probably less concerns back then 
Hers don't really die back much in winter, they definitely still provide privacy in winter, though not as much as in summer. We planted 4 hydrangeas last year and they definitely died back in winter and wouldn't provide winter privacy for a few more years, but hers are THICK thick thick. Almost like a hedge.
pomelo / 5129 posts
@yoursilverlining: Yeah. I think a lot of people planted it 30 years ago without realizing how much work it took to control it. It's completely taking over in some places in my area where people gave up on cutting it back and controlling it.
I WISH my hydrangeas were more plush! I love love them, but the bushes we have barely flowered last year (I found one bloom once but had to look deep in the bush for it).
We're still trying to figure out what stuff in our yard does what/needs what though. Hopefully this year and next will be more successful.
pomegranate / 3355 posts
We have a few azalea and hydrangea in front of our house...they get really bare in the winter though 
nectarine / 2400 posts
We don't really like arbor vitae either so we plant 3 pine trees with 3 lilac bushes on each side.
pomelo / 5000 posts
From what you're describing, I think evergreens are the best possibility for keeping needles all year and giving you a good amount of privacy. There are lots of different options out there.
And another no to bamboo. I actually like the looks of it, but it's not native, invasive, and the roots can do a lot of damage.
nectarine / 2085 posts
@Ajsmommy: So, I'm not in zone 7 anymore, but what about an ilex or a viburnum? I have a viburnum in my garden now, and I can vouch for their aesthetic and screening qualities! I think mountain laurel is also in parts of zone 7.
I really recommend the extension service (Google can help you find yours)--the ones I've referenced have been uniformly amazing. They have tons of literature on native plants/good non-natives that is all reliable and super helpful. (Much more so than just about any landscaper or nursery worker I've spoken with.) If you need more info, you can always consult the extension services of nearby counties.
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