We will discuss three objectives.
- Being considerate of your neighbors
- Matching the right plants wit the space and cultural conditions you have
- Turning your screen into a garden
Be a good neighbor from the beginning
- Confirm the property line. Keep plants far enough inside it that their mature width and routine pruning can be managed from your side.
- Think about what your neighbor will see. A well-spaced, attractive planting is more pleasant than a dense wall that eventually overwhelms their yard or view.
- Consider whether the screen will cast significant shade. The north and east side of a tall screen will be mostly affected over time and can cause issues growing grass.
- Will your screen block a pleasant view that your neighbor enjoys like a golf course, mountain view, or lake?
- .A friendly conversation early can prevent problems.
Match the plants to the space
| What to check | Why it matters |
| Height needed | Screen the actual sightline. A patio may need a different height than an upstairs window. |
| Width available | Compare the plant’s mature spread with the space between the screen, property line, house, and walkway. |
| Sun exposure | Note how many hours of direct sun the area gets, and whether it receives hot afternoon sun or filtered shade. |
| Soil and drainage | Notice where water stands after rain and where the soil dries quickly. |
| Utilities and access | Check overhead lines, underground utilities, meters, and gates before laying out plants. Mower access |
| Maintenance | Decide whether you want a naturally shaped screen or are willing to prune a formal hedge regularly. |
Things to think about when choosing plants and placing them for your screen
- Growth rate: How long will it take to get the coverage you want?
- If the plants you choose grow at different rates, try placing the fastest growing one where you need the screening the most.
- Will you need to be pruning the plants over time? Conifers are harder to prune than plants with leaves such as holies, camellias cleyeras
- Allow room for plants to mature.
- How long will it take to fill in? You may want to stagger two rows to get coverage sooner.
- Are Deer an issue?
- If planting close to your house are you inviting animals to your roof?
One plant variety or a mixed screen?
| Approach | Advantages | Tradeoffs |
| One variety repeated | A clean, consistent look; straightforward spacing and pruning; useful for a formal hedge or narrow area. | If that variety struggles with the site, a pest, or a disease, the whole screen may be affected. A long identical row can look monotonous. |
| Several varieties in repeated groups | Varied texture and seasonal interest; a problem affecting one type is less likely to leave the entire screen bare. | Takes more planning to coordinate mature heights, widths, growth rates, and maintenance. Too many single plants can look scattered. |
- A useful middle ground: choose two or three compatible screening plants and repeat them in groups
Turning your privacy screen into a garden
If space permits you can add color and interest by planting in front of your evergreens.
Your evergreens can also be part of the garden
- Camellias, magnolias and osmanthus flower
- Hollies produce berries
- Conifers can have blue-gray foliage or yellow foliage
Things to consider when choosing plants for color and interest
- Will the amount of sun change as your evergreens grow?
- Vary your heights. Keep them in scale with the backdrop.
- Will you see this area year-round or just in the summer?
- Consider maintenance. Flowering shrubs or shrubs with colorful foliage will be easier to maintain then perennials
- Use long-blooming shrubs to get the most bang for your buck and space.
- You can start with a small area and expend the garden over time.
Keep in mind, we are here to help. Feel free to stop by with a photo of the area and we can help you choose the right plants.
