Plant Talk |
CAUTION:The information and recommendations in this article are applicable to Harnett County, NC and may not apply in other areas.
SCREEN SHRUBS, 02/28/97
A common objective in landscaping a yard is to provide some type of barrier or screen between your property and the next. There are several possible reasons for creating a screen. You may want to block a view, create a visual indication of your property boundaries, or have a wind break to reduce the cost of heating your home. Screens can also serve as noise barriers, and in this situation should be planted as close to the noise source as possible. Red tip photinias and leyland cypress are common choices for screens, but there are many other excellent choices that may actually have fewer insect and disease problems.
Generally, folks are looking for an evergreen tree or shrub that grows to a height of 10 feet or more. A rapid growth rate is desirable so that smaller, less expensive plants can be purchased. However, there is a tradeoff here, since slow growing trees and shrubs tend to live longer than fast growing ones.
The first step is to decide where the screen will be planted, and how high it should be. So let's consider some options, grouped according to full grown height.
If a tall screen is desired (i.e. tree height), you might want to consider loblolly pine, longleaf pine, red cedar, American holly, and Southern magnolia. Hollies are a personal favorite for their glossy leaves and bright red, bird attracting fall berries.
For medium height screens (10-15 feet), consider camellia sasanqua, Chinese holly, waxmyrtle, tall-glossy privet, and osmanthus.
For a low screen (4-8 feet), the glossy abelia is a good choice, as are the lower growing hollies. Ornamental grasses are also an option for a low growing screen, as their dried foliage provides screening through most of the winter.
There is definitely a strong visual appeal to a long row of healthy, uniform trees or shrubs; however, you might also consider a more natural or free-flowing design. Screening can be be achieved just as well by mixing and matching several different kinds of trees and shrubs. Select a variety of plants that will provide beauty year round, such as dogwoods for spring flowers, crape myrtles for summer flowers, camellia sasanqua for autumn blooms, and hollies for fall berries. Use the deciduous trees (i.e. crape myrtle and dogwood) sparingly and for accent only, as they will not provide any screening in the winter months.
When planting your screen, be sure to space the plants properly. Since you will likely not be planting full grown specimens, there is a great temptation to plant them too close together. This will only lead to increased insect and disease problems, as well as a continual pruning battle.
Keep in mind that I have only scratched the surface here. Upon request, I will gladly provide you with free leaflets to aid you in making plant selections.
One important final note. Be sure to consider the condition of the soil where the screen will be planted. If the site is poorly drained, select plants which will tolerate wet conditions. And as always, a soil test will get you off to a good start. Back to Plant Talk Index
www.ces.ncsu.edu/harnett/pubs/planttalk/planttlk.html