Privet (ligustrum) will make a dense hedge, but you'll be pruning 24/7 for the entire growing season. Not sure what variety I had, but it definitely did throw out suckers and would shoot out wayward branches four and five feet long. Within days of pruning there'd already be new growth starts. And if things couldn't get worse, beneath each shiny, waxy, hard to pick up out of the grass leaf there would be a million white flies that swirled up in clouds when disturbed. I only tolerated this "builder's special" because it had interesting contorted low branches. I'd prune it up at least twice a season to showcase the branching - wearing gloves and a face & nose mask. I can definitely understand your need for a screen - and fast. The major problem is as shrubs grow high, they also grow wide and giving up space becomes an issue. Upright evergreens would seem to be the ideal, though. Are you sure your Green Giants are goners? A pair of old pantyhose cut down the legs on the bias in a continuous rope does a fabulous job of tying up multiple leaders or a drooping snow bent branch. And browning can regenerate if the damage hasn't gone into the "dead zone" in the interior of the plant. Winter browning can be expected with most species and cultivars of Thuja. Some of the Taxus (yews) or junipers might come with higher recommendatons.

they have been in the ground only 2 months... and are already thinking about more fert??? you will kill these things with too much love ... they are shrubs.. not children ... i have NEVER fert'd a shrub.. ever... they dont need it.. so dont ever waste your money in the regard again.. as far as i am concerned.. spend it all on water .... and i suspect.. that the only thing failing here.. is your expectation of what a new transplant can do.. in two freakin months ... they are growing roots.. which you can not see.. thats this years job.... insure proper water.. and nothing else.. for the next two years ... see link.. if you varied from anything in brandons directions.. lets discuss such ... your recent transplants need to get 'established' ... grow roots to support the growth above.. next year ..... and that requires.. wait for it.. water .. nothing else.. you can not force feed them into becoming established ... please dont love them to death.. just water them .. see link ... ken Here is a link that might be useful: link

Lisa, you can trim them back to 12" now, depending on how low you want to start the branching, or you can wait until they grow another 12" and cut them back by 6". I don't know if you cut them back at planting time...the idea is where ever you cut them back, the branch will divide into two branches, then when you cut them back the next time, those two branches will now become four branches, etc. I'd say if you want a really tight screen very close to the base, cut them back to 12" now. Typically, they will require three trimmings throughout the growing season, so the "three times" is an average, it really depends on growth rate for you. After three years, the hedge will maintain it's shape, but it will still require regular pruning three times annually to maintain the shape and height you desire. It is not a low maintenance hedge from that standpoint. Kitty, mine are deciduous - at least in my zone, they lose all the leaves over the winter months, so it is not year round privacy. As far as pets getting through the base of the shrub, I have chihuahuas and boston terriers, they can walk through the base right now if they wanted to, but I suspect they won't in future years due to dense branching. We also staggered ours at planting time, and they're planted maybe 16-18" apart from eachother, in staggered rows. I'm sure wrought iron edgers would work well, but I'd start branching them at the 12" mark to ensure you have a full hedge top to bottom. As the shrubs mature, edgers might not be needed. I can't comment on the fullness at maturity as I'm only going on the third year with my privets. As far as trimming, I HOPE mine top 10 feet (nothing against my neighbors) for privacy next to our patio (we live on small lots). I've read differing heights for this shrub. If they do grow that tall for me, I suppose we'd use a ladder. Otherwise, maybe 8 feet or less is a better height for you, still a nice height for privacy, and just a few steps up a ladder. And yes! I did see Alice in Wonderland and I was drooling over those wonderful hedges...I am in love with formal English gardens and tall hedges alike. I can't wait for my privets to take off this year.

Thanks lisanti! No, the soil doesn't look any different than over on the right. All the plants were planted at the same time and from the same batch of plants from the same nursery. I suppose I could try planting a new one or two but while not expensive, they aren't cheap for a good size plant. I'd hate to plant new ones and have the same problem and be right back where I am in a few months or next year. I guess I was hoping for a magical cure that will fix the problem but I guess I'll need to try something like this eventually.