Asked on Oct 28, 2012

Advice for privacy wall

Designs by BSB
by Designs by BSB
Looking for our options to put in shrubs along this fence to offer privacy between our yards, in addition to put a bigger buffer between our dogs :)Note the left end could not grow deeper than 4' as there is a gate - otherwise depth is no issue. Thought about Forsythia (which variety grows the tallest?) - i would love the addition of the color! But wonder if a whole row would be too much. This is our backyard I am not likely going to put anything at the base of these other than grass. I have numerous other landscaping plans and challenges, but this one is taking priority because I would like to put them in now -- too late for Atlanta climate?By the way... would like them to grow AT LEAST 8' tall.
Neighbors put in a higher fence than ours because of big dogs -- would like to hide the fence completely.
  20 answers
  • Cherie Cherie on Oct 28, 2012
    We installed 8 dwarf bridal wreath bushes at the back of our lot for privacy-well I don't know what is supposed to be dwarf but I actually have to have them trimmed back every other year or they get too tall and waterfalled-they bloom pretty white flowers in mid May
  • Sharron W Sharron W on Oct 28, 2012
    I have a double flowering red althea that gets about 8-12' tall...and has always bloomed reliabily without fuss all these years....provides a LOT of privacy during the summer and still quite a bit during the winter....I am actually going to relocate it down our back fence to provide privacy from the neighbors on one side...
  • Ellen H Ellen H on Oct 28, 2012
    Do you like pink? Loropetalum is a broadleaf evergreen that grows quickly and quite tall. They are frequently planted without consideration of the mature size and people have to prune and prune to keep them under control. But since you want large shrubs... Forsythias are beautiful in the spring but are not evergreen. Atlanta area may be a little far north for camellias (?) - the extension service could tell you. They are a broadleaf evergreen - different types flower different times of the year. I live in north Alabama and there are lots of camellias in this area although I just bought my first one to plant. There is still time to plant for the fall planting season here in the southeast..
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Oct 28, 2012
    BeckySue, you can still plant with good results. You have several options (looks to be 50/50 shade? ) Shrubs that get 8-12 ft tall for semi shade include Tea Olive Holly which has a fragrant small white bloom and looks somewhat like a holly with new redish growth. There is also Anise (several varieties), or Ligustrum. Ellen has an excellent suggestion with the Loropetalum, some varieties can reach up to 12 ft tall. They have a beautiful fuchsia color bloom that will knock your socks off they are so pretty. The one in this picture is screening a huge culvert in the client's back yard
  • Sharron W Sharron W on Oct 28, 2012
    @360 Sod (Donna Dixson) by Anise do you mean the spice/herb? I've never looked it up but always "believed" it was a plant similar to lavendar and fennel...basically annuals... If it's not I've definately looking for one, that's my favorite of all the spices !
  • Designs by BSB Designs by BSB on Oct 29, 2012
    @360 Sod (Donna Dixson) i forgot to mention! 50/50 is probably generous - some pretty HUGE oaks overhead, so it may be less, we just moved in - do yall sell shrubs like these? Id like to come up this week for a visit! Appt best?
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Oct 29, 2012
    @Sharron W The one you can use as a spice is Illicium verum is only hardy to zone 8 I believe. The ones we use as screen plants are Illicium parviflorum, floridanum, mexicanum( my favorite) and henryii. All will take a good amount of shade, but have a tendency to have leaf burn if placed in a full western exposure.
  • Vicki Vicki on Oct 29, 2012
    tea olive shrubs with tiny white flowers, so nice smelling scents in the air
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Oct 29, 2012
    Anise and tea olive are excellent suggestions for shade. You might also consider the "Bright and Tight" cultivar of cherry laurel, which is fast-growing and will give you the height you want without too much width.
  • Jorge Jorge on Oct 29, 2012
    That would be an idea spot for viburnums in my area
  • Designs by BSB Designs by BSB on Oct 29, 2012
    We have sooo much landscaping to do here that i caved and hired a designer to come over to help make the plan solid. we will do it in phases and install ourselves - but having a plan and being educated will be worth every penny! I will tax yall less for advice too :) @Flowerscapes Garden Design & Landscaping is coming out Wednesday - I will be sure to offer a review of her services thereafter :))
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Oct 30, 2012
    I think that's an excellent strategy, BeckySue.
  • Masood Awan Masood Awan on Oct 30, 2012
    i think we can make fences with unymous or moraya exotica having thick texture
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Oct 30, 2012
    Good Choice BeckySue, Robbie is very creative and talented.
  • Morena Hockley Morena Hockley on Oct 30, 2012
    Would love to know what you decide on. We hired a landscaper in February to do a similar job and decided on mountain laurel.
  • Thanks Donna! I like to use shrubs and trees that offer more than one feature, such as fragrance and blooms, or winter and fall interest. Depending upon how large the plant is at purchase,and growth speed, will also determine the selection. Furthermore, I love it when a neighbor or visitor proclaims, "I want that plant". I am leaning towards Banana Shrub, maybe tea olive but she has one by the deck for sweet summer fragrance, camellia, and several others-not enough time just now to list. I want to do a layer in front of the shrubs to keep the eye more centered below than over the neighbor's fence. A ferns, some evergreen, varigated yellow/green vinca vine, sneak some native avaleas in towards the rear, pink and white dogwoods. Many more ideas in my head prior to a final plan- Besides just a screen, I will divert attention away from that side and lead the viewer to a breathtaking open space along the rear, and for the climax, to the other rear corner where there is a large farm pond just beyond the property line. I did not notice it untill the end and wow! I am so excited about highlighting this view!! To me, it looked just like a Robert Wood landscape.
  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Feb 03, 2016
    I think beautiful Viburnums or Hydrangea would look absolutely gorgeous in your yard. But always check with the professionals in your area. I'm jealous of your big yard!
  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Sep 10, 2016
    Keep in mind the upkeep and you have a lot of trees will there be enough sunlight? Plus anything that grows over the fence has now crossed property line and they can hack away in properly and kill a bush and you can't complain.
  • Dianne williams Dianne williams on Sep 10, 2016
    veragated privet easy to trim and shape. I used wax myrtle but it got real leggy over the years horrible. red tip fotinia gets a disease. the privet is solid it's the best