screening evergreen

15 years ago

I am not sure if this is the best forum to ask my question of, but couldn't find a forum dedicated just to screening or hedge plants. Perhaps some of you might have some ideas for me. I am looking for small screening trees, or possibly shrubs. These are the requirements, and they are pretty definitive. I am in zone 8a, coastal NC, although not on the Outer Banks, but on the edge of a Sound, just inside the Outer Banks. The area where they are going is fairly protected from our strongest winds. It is a shady spot with good soil, and good moisture. The space is very small in footprint- a narrow space on the property line between an unsightly side of my neighbor's house, and the edge of my garden. They would be planted just behind a small star magnolia, and have about a 3' footprint, and I would plant two or three in a row. They needn't be high-even 8' or so would be very helpful. And they needn't necessarily be conifers only, but must be evergreen. And lastly, I would like to find something that will not require a lot of pruning to keep it in it's boundaries- infrequent pruning is fine, but three or four times a year is difficult. I am very grateful for any suggestions. Thanks very much.

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Comments (5)

gardener365
15 years ago
I can't familiarize your exact climate but my first impression is Escallonia. I used to sell a lot of these for screening purposes in Oregon... partially because they flower so intensely but also because they are evergreen.

If your shade-area receives 3-hours of sunlight, they'll do just fine, anything less, these won't work.

Dax
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
try the link

others will have to speak to whether they will work in your zone

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
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ard1
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you Dax-I was unfamiliar with escallonia-it sounds like a lovely plant-I love anything that flowers-especially with fragrance. I'm not sure if there is enough sun in the spot where I need to plant-maybe just. And Ken-was the link for DeGroots arborvitae? Seems like it might just be too hot here in our summers; I'll have to do a bit more research. It's a tough spot to screen, and I'd like to avoid a fence if at all possible, although that would be the easy solution. I prefer a 'fence' that offers habitat to avian friends, butterflies, etc. perhaps there will be some other suggestions, and for now, I'll continue to research escallonia. Thank you both.
gardener365
15 years ago
I'll try to help you as best as I can with recommended evergreen shrubs from 'Sunset Western Garden Book'. Surely, you'll need to do "climate comparison" research on your own.

Sunset Western Garden Book (Fifth Printing June 1997); Sunset Books Inc, Menlo Park, CA; ISBN: 0376038519

Ilex
Mahonia (tall) Needs, Zones Vary.
Taxus
Vaccinium ovatum
Viburnum tinus

Dax
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
15 years ago
Perhaps Taxus xmedia 'Flushing'.

tj

Here is a link that might be useful: Flushing