presuming you arent talking about some very small dwarf plants ... which wouldnt be much privacy ... i think.. when the shrubs are mature... you will not really see any difference between the two ...

in the mean time.. the staggered line is more visually appealing ...

i also presume.. for privacy .. that eventually you want them to grow together ... and imo .. they will figure out sun issues ...

ken

What kind of Viburnums?

Dentatum such as Chicago lustre... 7 or 8’ spacing. Also maybe a prunifolium in a shadier dryer section... yes I know they will be bare in winter.

Yes I’m actually transplanting some that I already have... which of course i amateurly planted too close together. They were bare root sticks 3 years ago and now each is maybe 4x3!

i think I’ll just go with the straight line option, if they will end up looking fine, just to conserve “depth” in the garden. There will be a perennial bed on the inside of these bushes to the grass. (Fence line runs east west and perennials to the south with sun exposure)

You might consider viburnums that are evergreen or practically so. I am very happy with my 'nantucket,' a Carlesii cross that is very fragrant and has dark glossy leaves. The leaves have still not fallen here in zone 6b. Since you're in the D.C. area you can visit the National Arboretum where they developed it.

I prefer the staggered row. I think it gives a fuller feel over time and perhaps less of a sense of a green wall since it isn't as flat.

I agree with Sam. Pragense would be a great choice.

Since it's all one kind it could appear more consistent to have a straight line. And would certainly be easier to plant. Also are you going to be mowing and trimming around them? Then straight line definitely better.

The other arrangement shown would be more like one would do if this was a mixed border, where multiple kinds of shrubs (and other types of plants) were involved. With comparatively small, close, interlocking groupings (drifts) of each variety being planned and planted. A technique where individual plants within each group are put much closer together than allows for full development of each specimen. With the drift forming a unit within the design rather than each plant inside the drift standing out on its own.

Same as is done with formal hedges, that are going to be sheared.