Planting & Improving Your Privacy Screening

August 12, 2024 | C.L. Fornari | Shrubs

When people want to plant for privacy they often think of a row of all one plant. And if they’re in a hurry, they’ll turn to an evergreen that grows quickly, such as the ‘Green Giant’ arborvitae (Thuja hybrid ‘Green Giant’). There are, however, advantages to growing a number of different plants in a privacy screen in addition to the lovely ‘Green Giants.’ And if you already have a row of all one plant, adding a layer of other selections in front of the existing screen can add color and an extra layer of privacy.

You Won’t Lose It All

New insects and diseases move onto the Cape all the time (box tree moth!) and if a pest or problem is introduced that attacks the plant in your screen, you could lose the entire planting. This happened about thirty five years ago when the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid arrived in Massachusetts, causing many to lose their hemlock screens. Weather conditions can cause problems as well since some plants have dieback during dry summers and others can get fungal problems in wet seasons. By using a mix of different types of plants in a privacy planting, you are less likely to have the entire border be damaged or die.

Yes, a line of arborvitae is one option for a privacy planting, but should an insect or disease be introduced that attacks this plant, the homeowner could lose their entire screen.

Color! Texture! Flowers!

In addition to being practical, a variety of plants provides a great deal of visual interest. By planting some single plants and others in a group of three or more, there is always something interesting to look at throughout the year. And while many people like a background of evergreen plants, flowering shrubs or trees can also be included in front of or between the plants that are mostly green. Here are just a few of the great evergreens in our nursery right now, and suggestions on how to plant them.

Green Giant arborvitaes are fast growing and keep their foliage from top to bottom. Plant a single one where tall, wide growth is possible and quick screening is needed, or place them in groups of three. Note that these plants grow at least 10 feet in diameter, so place them accordingly. Place a group of three where you need tall screening quickly, and put other varieties to each side.

Weeping Alaska cedars look good with other plants. Group three together with broadleaf evergreens such as holly or rhododendrons in front or behind. In this photo there is a golden Hinoki false cypress to the right and a red Japanese maple to the left. Even this simple grouping in the nursery demonstrates how nice it is to have different colors of foliage.

Crypomerias combine beautifully with other plants in a privacy screen, and like the Green Giants, they can get quite tall.

This Evening Light Japanese snowbell tree would be a good one to plant in a privacy screen where evergreen coverage isn’t necessary. Combine it with a plant with golden foliage and you’ve got a winning combination.

Use some plants with golden foliage, some with varying shades of green and others with purple leaves. Even without flowers you’ve got a colorful privacy planting.

This shows the advantage of using a number of different plants in a privacy border. The Cryptomeria on the left is a soft-textured evergreen. There is a weeping Alaska cedar behind the two deciduous shrubs, a golden Weigela and on the right, a Summer Snowflake Viburnum. A range of colors and textures can improve your view.

Adding To Existing Plantings

If you’ve already got a privacy planting there good reasons to add additional plants. First of all, the aforementioned colors and textures to liven things up. And secondly, sometimes an existing screen develops gaps because of the loss of certain plants or their natural growth habits. For example, Rhododendrons are good for putting in front of Leyland Cypress, since their foliage and flowers offer a good contrast, they grow in the shade, and when the Leylands thin out at the bottom the Rhododendrons can fill in those gaps.

Holly is a good plant to place near white pines or Leyland cypress, since it’s shade-tolerant and the leaves contrast with needled conifers. Plus, the birds love the berries. Win, win, win.

Planting Now, And Into The Fall

On Cape Cod we can safely plant in August as well as into the fall. The earlier you get plants in the ground, the better their roots will be established as winter arrives. Plant in the native soil, then top-dress the area around those plants with and inch or two of compost topped by an inch of mulch. Water the entire area well at least once a week through all of October.

Posted in Shrubs