Plant recommendations??
by
Susan
+6
Hi,
I need to install plants to create a natural screen. Ideally I would like the screen to grow into a dense fence over time. I originally had planned to plant Leyland Cypress about 10 feet apart. In shopping for plants, I have been told I should use Green Giant Arborvitae, Wax Myrtles, or Wax Ligustrum instead. I also thought about using a combination. The Leylands I have looked at seem very leggy and don't look like they would fill out. Any comments or suggestions on these choices or other recommendations?? Thanks!!
I need to install plants to create a natural screen. Ideally I would like the screen to grow into a dense fence over time. I originally had planned to plant Leyland Cypress about 10 feet apart. In shopping for plants, I have been told I should use Green Giant Arborvitae, Wax Myrtles, or Wax Ligustrum instead. I also thought about using a combination. The Leylands I have looked at seem very leggy and don't look like they would fill out. Any comments or suggestions on these choices or other recommendations?? Thanks!!
9 answers
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I like the idea of using a combination...it's less boring and you get better pest resistance. Leyland cypress, arborvitae and a couple of wax myrtles for contrast would be attractive.
Walter Reeves
on Mar 15, 2012
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I'm all for mixing it up as well. I've had very good experience using wax myrtle as screen. Another suggestion for pairing with it would be Florida anise (Illicium floridanum).
Douglas Hunt
on Mar 15, 2012
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Thank you Walter and Douglas. I had done a bit of research and thought I was on track but when I went to the nursery, I was told that the Leylands tended to susceptible to disease and another person told me that the wax myrtles were supposed to be tree forms and should be pruned up from the ground. I was hoping to get some unbiased opinions here. Thanks Again!
Susan
on Mar 15, 2012
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I just pruned up my wax myrtles because I wanted to give them a little more shape (they don't grow together as in a hedge), but they could have happily remained full to the ground.
Douglas Hunt
on Mar 15, 2012
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Does podocarpus grow where you are? It is dense with most of its growth being veritcal. That translates to less hedge trimming. It is resistant to dought and pollution........makes a wonderful backdrop for other plants.
Becky H
on Mar 16, 2012
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While I bow to Douglas Hunt's knowledge of plants, I have to say, I HATE wax myrtles... some people are allergic and don't even know it (like me, until someone told me)... I am allergic to nothing else but those. MY vote is for Oleanders... they come in plenty of colors... I planted a row of them to create a buffer from nghbrs with many kids (sweet kids, but still...)... it kept their balls and toys from damaging my other plants... I had pink, white, and a deep red... large color splash, and they bloom from Spring thru Autumn. What more could you ask for? And they make a great "fence"/"wall".
Lindy Hall
on May 09, 2015
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I have been very happy with my privacy hedge planting of sweet vibernum. As for Leland Cypress, I have often heard it referred to as "legal cypress" for the problems it creates due to uprooting and falling in strong winds.
Satchmo
on May 10, 2015
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We used privet. It is a nice dense natural privacy hedge. The people across the street from us used a type of evergreen that grows tall and on the skinnier side. Also a very nice barrier. I like theirs better since it's less maintenance than ours. ;)
Sunshine_Trish
on Jun 21, 2015
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LOVE PRIVET also for any hedge at anytime anywhere. Perfect low maintenance high growth rate.
Suzette Trimmer
on Jul 22, 2015
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