Thinking of planting Tea Olive bushes/trees and Japanese Cypress trees alternating as a screen (Charlotte, NC area)

Rick C
by Rick C
I don't have any photos to add yet, but we were considering creating a natural screen along our property line to give us some privacy. The length is 60 to 75 feet and we were considering planting Tea Olives (4) and other (Japanese Cypress) (4) interspersed.
Looking for some feedback from anyone knowing landscaping as to whether this combination could work. Oh, and BTW, I *think* the other tree is a Japanese Cypress, but it is essentially a very long soft needled evergreen.
Also, this would be full sun.
Thanks in advance for any insight! :-)
  3 answers
  • Jan C Jan C on Jun 28, 2012
    I'd suggest Arborvitaes. They can get 8 feet wide. You'd want to plant in a "w" pattern 4 feet apart, and front to back and that will fill in great. If in a straight line, they grow into each other which can cause problems, plus the coverage isn't as good in my opinion. Ask at your local nursery and they should be able to show you what would work best in your area for full sun.
  • Walter Reeves Walter Reeves on Jun 28, 2012
    'Emerald Green' arborvitae is commonly used for screen, as are Nellie Stevens holly and Foster holly. All would do fine in full sun if you plant in fall and water appropriately the first year.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jun 29, 2012
    If you have any kind of deer issue, I would not recommend arborvitaes. I love the idea of using tea olive as a screen, and have it paired with Florida leucothoe in my yard in a semi-shady situation. Other companion plants you might consider would be a cherry laurel like "Bright and TIght" or Laurustinus viburnum, which would more bring you additional fragrance and lovely blue-black berries.