A living privacy fence using evergreen plants is a great way to add natural beauty to your landscape. Growing a privacy fence can define a border, create a windbreak, and block out sounds from a noisy neighbor or busy road. Here are several trees and shrubs that are hardy, drought resistant, and require little care once established.
Silverbell
This shrub has silvery colored leaves and produces tiny white flowers with a pleasant fragrance in the fall. It grows at a rate of 3 to 4 feet a year and reaches a height of 6 to 15 feet with a width of 6 to 15 feet. In the winter, the flowers turn into red berries that birds love to eat.
Sky Pencil Holly
This plant has green foliage without thorns. It has a mature height of 5 to 10 feet with a width of 2 feet at a growth rate of 6 to 12 inches per year. Plant it in an area that gets 3 to 6+ hours of direct sun in light, moist soil.
Emerald Green Thuja (Arborvitae)
This tree has a slender shape that is perfect for a smaller yard. It has a mature height of 12 to 14 feet and should be planted about 3 to 4 feet apart. They grow 1 to 2 feet a year until they are established, then 6 to 9 inches per year and are drought tolerant and resistant to snow and ice.
Leyland Cypress
This is a beautiful evergreen tree with a deep color and firm branches. It grows 3 to 5 feet a year and reaches a height of 40 to 60 feet with a width of 15 to 20 feet. Plant in an area that gets 6+ hours of direct sun.
Thuja Green Giant
The Thuja Green Giant is a very popular tree that is easy to care for and grows fast. It grows 3 to 5 feet a year to a mature height of 20 to 40 feet with a width of 6 to 12 feet.
Murray Cypress
This is a fast-growing evergreen tree that is disease and insect resistant. It grows to a mature height of 30 to 50 feet at a rate of 3 to 4 feet a year with a width of 6 to 10 feet.
Here are some tips for a living privacy fence:
- The plants should be watered every day for the first week. During the next two to three months water once or twice per week. This allows the roots to establish and gives your plant a good start for a healthy life.
- For a more natural look, consider using two or three different types of plants. This will also reduce the chance of disease or pests.
Call Integrity Tree Care today for help with any questions about living privacy fences.
