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Southern Gardening

advice on privacy planting & ground cover

13 years ago

i live in a development where to the back of me is no privacy. we'd like to put shrubs to help give some. we have full sun and would prefer something that grows fairly quick,stays evergreen & possibly gets color at sometime of the year for visual interest.

the second problem we have is a slope which grass doesnt seem to like to grow. what type of ground cover can handle full sun and small pugs running on it? they arenot running constantly but do like to run back their to see the dogs in a neighboring yard.

thanks!

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Comments (6)

Iris GW
12 years ago
What general city/state area are you located in?
jilliebean9700
Original Author
12 years ago
i am in nc near charlotte-just a bit north of it.
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Iris GW
12 years ago
Do you have a height restriction for the shrubs? Wax myrtle is a good choice and generally available. Another idea is 'Chindo' viburnum. Both of these can get up to 20 feet (and still be considered as shrubs). Another choice is one of the sun tolerant Anise shrubs (like Illicium parviflorum). There are also many hollies to choose from.

Don't have any ideas on the groundcover except perhaps one of the clumping grasses like blue fescue (it's not a lawn grass).
jilliebean9700
Original Author
12 years ago
really isnt a height restriction for us.if i trimmed those bigger ones could they stay smaller?
thanks for the suggestions i am gonna look up those names for pix.
topsiebeezelbub
12 years ago
Hollies or "Emerald" Arborvita for the screen. Florida Jasmine is pretty cascading down a slope and gets about 4 ft. high. Vinca major is a quick growing groundcover...maybe too agressive. Lamiastrum likewize. Mondo and monkey grass is a standby...Mix daylilies with liriope for color.
jilliebean9700
Original Author
12 years ago
unfortunately we didnt plant anything yet. we had our dishwasher break and it leaked water ruining the kitchen floor. the floor had to be replaced so my plant budget went to that!! my FIL and husband did nearly finish the deck in the back which means this year i have a more defined area to plant,however!

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