Privacy screen in the shade...

9 years ago

We would like to create a natural privacy screen between our house and our neighbor. We live on a large wooded lot that once was home to a mobile home with lots of mature trees so it is fairly shaded. Also, along the property line is a row of woody scraggly looking plants about 8 ft high the previous owner planted that we would eventually like to get rid of. When we first purchased the property we bought lots of Leyland Cyprus and planted them in front of the scraggly plants before we even built our home. Our thought was we would have privacy or at least the beginning of some by the time we moved in and we could remove the scraggly plants. Well, they didn't grow the 3 ft a year they said they would, probably because they didn't get enough light. They are still there, but essentially the same size, about 10 in.

What should we plant instead? What's a good shade loving privacy screen? And how should we go about getting rid of the scraggly trees? I would like to leave them until something else get established if possible because even though they are ugly, they do provide a little bit of privacy.

Featured Answer

mindshift

9 years ago

I've been writing a lot about shade recently. Mature trees, especially large-leaved trees give full shade. The quickest, most successful means of achieving privacy is a fence or trellis work.

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Leyland cypress requires full sun so it's no wonder yours are not growing. This tree doesn't grow fast the first year; it's after their roots get established that you will see fast growth. Move them where they get sun and have at least 25 ft between each tree. They will eventually grow together, but planting too close when young causes limb dieback from shading which raises the canopy and destroys their ability to screen.

The following shrubs will all take full shade. You should check with a local nursery to find out which will do well in your soil conditions. Some of these have dwarf varieties which can still be large but may work better for your situation.

Five-leaf aralia (Acanthopanax sieboldianus) is a deciduous shrub that grows to 10 foot tall and wide in full shade to full sun. It is hardy in zones 4-8.

Japanese aralia (Fatsia japonica) needs full to medium shade. It grows up to 10 ft tall but is only hardy down to zone 8.

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) grows anywhere from 6 to 15 ft tall and wide and is hardy in zones 5-9.

Drooping leucothoe (Leucothoe fontanesiana) is a broadleaf evergreen growing to 6 ft tall and wide with arching branches. It is hardy in zones 4-8.

Japanese kerria (Kerria japonica) grows up to 8 ft tall and 10 wide and is hardy in zones 4-9.

Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) is an upright plant to 8 ft. and is hardy in zones 6-9.

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Comments (8)

whitewatervol (Z 8a/7b Upstate SC)
9 years ago
It would be helpful to provide your planting zone and nearest large city so readers can give plant ideas that may work for you.

Some pictures of the area you are discussing would also be helpful.
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l pinkmountain
9 years ago
Cannot really give much other than general help if you don't tell your planting zone and if you don't know that, at least state and nearby city that folks would know. Also, I'm imagining you have to deal with deer browsing? More info would help.
Disa Crew
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi all! Sorry, zone would have been helpful. We are in Delaware. Zone 7 I believe. Winters are generally 30-40. Summer can be in high 90s
l pinkmountain
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
In that case you might try some rhododendrons and laurels, if you don't have a big deer problem. Also maybe look around your neighborhood and copy some things others have done that you like. That's what I always do!
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
Aucuba japonica (Japanese laurel) is extremely shade tolerant, even dry shade (once established), and is deer resistant. Not the fastest growing shrub on the planet but you can get decently sized ones and they will eventually get to be 10' x 10'.
laceyvail 6A, WV
9 years ago
Just to mention, Acanthopanax sieboldianus--at least the variegated one that I have--grows EXTREMELY slowly. After 12 years it has reached 4x 5. Maybe the unvariegated one grows faster. If you want something soon, I'd go with the Kerria. And the Aucuba wouldn't be hardy here, so the OP needs to know his/her zone.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
The zone and location was given. The aucuba, kalmia, nandina, leucothoe and kerria are all fully hardy to zone 7. As would be both English or cherry laurels, another good possibility.