Evergreen Privacy Shrub Hedge

9 years ago

I want to plant an evergreen shrub hedge as a privacy screen "fence". Ideally, it would be 8' - 12' tall and quite thick and bushy. I'm looking to screen out road view and traffic noise. Some suggestions have been made: loquat, primrose jasmine, and oleander. I tried some loquat, but the deer ate them to the ground, even with deer repellent sprays. I live in Central Texas, so heat, drought, and deer are all considerations. The "green fence" will be set back from the road about 25' and about 100' from the house. I'd love something that will require a minimum amount of watering and care. Bird, and wildlife attracting would be a huge bonus! (No deer!) Suggestions? Thoughts? HELP!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

User
9 years ago
clive,
Wax myrtle.
But the first year, you must mulch and water them.
Anything you plant won't grow in good without a decent amount of care the first couple of years.
They grow fast, when they are established, they don't really need alot of water, and if you want to trim them, they can take a beating and grow back more beautiful.
They are a native.
Look up online, you can find them anywhere.
allergyvictim
9 years ago
Oleander is poisonous and I guess it is not recommended in residential areas
Related Discussions
Evergreen privacy screen/hedge
Q
Comments (10)
OK, lots of questions. Here are answers: -The big tree is a silver maple. We actually have more of a problem with too much water, as we're the low point on the block and the soil drainage isn't great. Minor standing water after heavy rains at times. It's not what I would have planted, but we both really like having a mature tree back there, so we're not interested in removing it. -The property ends in the back right before there's a faint line of shrub trunks. I can't remember what they are, but it's like Photinia or something else uninteresting that's planted by the neighbors. The white thing is the mini-skating rink they're setting up (if we ever actually get any winter). -The yard runs east to west. In this photo you're looking almost exactly east. There are medium sized trees on the south size, so this part of the yard varies from full shade to part shade. -We like both conifers and broadleaf shrubs. There are a fair number of deciduous shrubs back there--lilac, ninebark, burning bush, weigela, etc--so we're looking for suggestions that would keep their leaves in the winter and mix in with those. We both prefer a more natural look, so we won't be forcing right angles on boxwoods or anything like that. -We're not really considering cost at the moment, just getting ideas. We'll deal with the budget once we get a better grasp on what we want to do, although we won't just pour money into relatively unimportant parts of the yard. -Yes, there are power lines on the left (north), so we need to be cautious about what goes there. -The logs are from another silver maple that the previous owners cut down last year. It was just a bit further to the left from the perspective in this photo. -We are definitely planning some kind of a pergola on the patio (behind the garage to the right--you can't really see it), but we don't want to block it off from the rest of the yard. I'd like to be able to enjoy the view of the rest of the yard while sitting there. There's also a (currently non-functioning) pond/fountain you can't see that we're planning to fix at some point, too, and we'll eventually be replacing the brick with better pavers, but these are other conversations for a different day. The point that you make about putting stuff in the middle seems like a great one. That's exactly the sort of ideas we were hoping to generate by posting here, so keep 'em coming! Thanks!
...See More
Privacy hedge/shrub ideas for dense, dry shade.
Q
Comments (6)
Would Aucuba survive in your zone? Viburnum tinus? And here I would say Mahonia, maybe Mahonia 'Winter Sun', but I understand some Mahonias are invasive in the US. The native M aquifolium aka Oregon Grape will do in shade but is fairly low growing.
...See More
preatty evergreen hedge for privaci in zone 6, please?
Q
Comments (3)
You could grow Japanese honeysuckle if you wanted...and then a year later when you don't want to. And for the rest of your garden's life. It will probably survive with cockroaches if a nuclear bomb goes off in the yard. And your neighbors will love you when the birds poop out extremely viable seeds in their yards too. It's a very inappropriate suggestion for someone looking for gardening help, butterfly4u. I recommend abelia. They're evergreen and come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Blooms in summer are a plus, and will attract butterflies. Some have fragrance as well. All grow wider than tall, and are very low maintenance and pest-free. A quick Google search will give you lots of pics to choose from.
...See More
Privacy Evergreen Shrub for 100% Shade
Q
Comments (1)
Some things to think about. Oak tress put out some big roots. You may not be able to dig holes to get the bushes in, and if you do, the plants will have to compete with the tree for water and nutrients. And remember, oak trees are only shady when the leaves are on the trees. When I was looking for foundation plants, I couldn't find an evergreen that could take deep shade in the summer and full sun in the winter. Maybe you have more options in hedges. You might think about limbing the tree to allow some sunlight to get through. That would open up your options.
...See More
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
9 years ago
I wonder if Chinese Photinia (Photinia serrulata, P. serratifolia) might work. Hard to find sometimes. But I don't think deer like it. Then again, it depends how hungry they are.

Another choice is Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum'. Not sure about deer resistance though. You'll need to research.

Also one of the Pyracanthus. If you don't mind thorns.
User
9 years ago
Deer LOVE loquats (at least the leaves). Deer WILL nibble on Photinia if there is not much else green in your (or your neighbor's) Winter landscape. I purchased some Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum' because have read that they are deer resistant but they are not in the ground yet, so not sure. Osmanthus 'Goshiki' (forgot the species name on it), is deer proof but not sure it is a fast grower.
Magnolia grandiflora is deer proof BUT, they DEER LOVE THEM during the rut and will mark them if they can get close (and they are much taller than your height requirement). 'English' Laurel and Bay Laurel are also highly resistant, as is Boxwood. My Holly (including; Nellie Stevens, Inkberry, Japanese), Fargesia bamboo, and rhododendrons are completely ignored. Butterfly bush too, which should be evergreen for you, (it is largely evergreen here). Others? Consider,Yuccas or Ornamental grasses too. These have worked for me, but not sure all are reliable in your area. Good luck!
bscull40
9 years ago
I need this same thing except the ares I want to screen is full shade. I'm in zone 7a. Would enjoy some flowering of edible berry for birds.
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
9 years ago
Bayberry works in shade in my northern VA garden-well, not deep shade. It get some filtered sun part of the day. The one on the south side of the house is doing better (growing faster) than the one on the north side which actually gets a little more sun. Both are on our side of neighbors' fences. I planted them because they will get 10-12 feet tall and they are evergreen and native.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
no plant.. EVER.. stops growing at some magical height ... most size estimates are at 10 years ... though i am not sure that general ruoles holds true in the shrub realm ....

to keep something at a preferred height ... you use REJUVENATION PRUNING... thru the years ...

or.. you just ignore it.. for a decade or two.. and then witch and moan ...

i am not familiar with growing things in bengal ... so i hesitate to offer suggestions ... if you are not there.. and want rather useful information.. i suggest you tell us where you are ... because.. e.g. ...some of the suggestions given wont grow in my z5 MI ...

BTW ...nothing is drought proof for a year or two after planting.. many.. if not most shrubs are such .... thereafter .... its called getting ESTABLISHED ....

ken
texasredhead
9 years ago
I have had great success with variegated privet. They grow large and bushy but can be kept under control. they are inexpensive and readily available. However, we don't have deer except in our freezer.

Evergreen Privacy Shrub Hedge

Comments (8)

User

allergyvictim

Related Discussions

Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A

User

bscull40

cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

texasredhead

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US