Privacy screen help!

11 years ago

I posted this under Trees but it may be more appropriate for this forum.

We'd like to add a privacy screen along the fence we're building (still in progress) but it's right below a black walnut. Yikes :(. Beautiful but limiting. The walnut is on our neighbor's property.

There's about an 80ft long section of fence. There is a creek, which you can see the start of on the right of the picture and we'd like to add a Willow 50ft from the fence, along the creek, for standing water control. We will be putting in a retaining wall where you see the dip in the yard. The upper yard will be production oriented (dwarf fruit trees, veg garden, flowers, etc), the lower portion near the screen will be open space. I should also mention that we live in the piedmont region of VA, so the soil is all red clay.

We were thinking of going with a row of American Hollies but I'm not sure. I definitely want the hollies as they provide year round coverage and are on of my favorites but some diversity and layering would be great. Any help appreciated! Thanks!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

11 years ago

The holly will certainly work - it is quite resistant to juglone. And here is a link to other
juglone tolerant plantings to help you pick some complimentary shrubs.

btw, contrary to common belief, willows and other water loving plants won't correct or modify standing water situations. They only take up as much water as they need, although they are happy to grow in quite wet situations.

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Comments (10)

C&T Brooks (VA, Zone 7a)
Original Author
11 years ago
Any ideas for placement or combinations of plants that look nice together?Thanks!
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melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
11 years ago
I see dogwood and river birch on that list from gardengal48! I think they would both be beautiful in your space.

Since you were thinking hollies, rather than a row of them why not try to place them strategically such that they block the places that are the least private...like block the view of your neighbors stairs. Install a couple stands of the birch, and flowering dogwood for focal point (if the sun exposure is appropriate) -- they'll provide privacy during the growing months but drop leaves in fall/winter. I think I am a bit biased, can't grow dogwood here and birch do not do so well during our current drought ;-)

It's a lovely spot, and the right backdrop along that fence will really enhance the orchards and garden areas you're planning for the upper portion of your yard.
C&T Brooks (VA, Zone 7a) thanked melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
C&T Brooks (VA, Zone 7a)
Original Author
11 years ago
Great idea melle_sacto!!!!
C&T Brooks (VA, Zone 7a)
Original Author
11 years ago
So maybe something like this? From left to right, Holly, Dogwoods, Holly, cluster of River Birch. The bushes in the front represent maybe Inkberry holly & Viburnum Mohawk? The grey block through the middle represents a retaining wall. There will be a cut flower garden and veggie garden above the retaining wall. I didn't bother drawing that in right now. Any other suggestions?
melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I think that mockup is a great start, I especially like your placement of the birch. FWIW, I am a complete amateur and have been here many times for help in my own spaces...so my design sense might not be up to par ;-) That said, I think the only other thing I'd like to see is another something just to the left of your leftmost holly. Something that would grow to be about half the size...doesn't matter if it's deciduous or evergreen, just a mounded or arching shape to kind of transition your planting to the retaining wall. I hope that makes sense. Obviously, if there is not space for a plant like that, don't worry about it.

Edit: another option for the left of the leftmost holly might be some type of trailing evergreen that would grow in that corner of fence/retaining wall. As it arches over the wall it could help fill in the space...again it depends on your measurements and estimates of mature plant sizes to know if it's even practical.
C&T Brooks (VA, Zone 7a)
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks! I agree, there's a bald spot there. Maybe I should fill in the rest of the design so you guys have a better idea of the upper portion. Trailing evergreen? Hmmm, I'm not familiar with any. Did you have something in mind?
melle_sacto
11 years ago
Sorry I wouldn't know what to recommend, I live in drought CA zone 9. Maybe the Cottage Garden, Shrubs, or Perennials folks could offer some advice in that department. I saw your thread in the other forum, love the suggestion to grow spicebush!
emmarene9
11 years ago
It looks good. Was it drawn to scale? You and Melle are a good team.
C&T Brooks (VA, Zone 7a)
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, emmarene! It wasn't necessarily drawn to scale. :) I looked up the plant height/widths, went with a mid-maturity number and scaled them against the height of the walnut since I had that as a scale reference.