Privacy screen in the shade...

6 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

6 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.

Romantic Tarrytown Terrace · More Info

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.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

whitewatervol (Z 8a/7b Upstate SC)
6 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.
Related Discussions
Privacy screens for both full sun and part shade areas
Q
Comments (1)
as to the immediacy of the window.. look into window films... i put one of the classic wisteria stained glass ... in the center of a rather large window ... so i can get more light by more fully opening the drapes ... but more privacy with them half shut ... in doing this.. then you can work with more time.. as to planting something in the yard.. to eventually grow to do the same thing ... a pic of your area.. would help peeps like me.. who cant work on words alone ... especially if you took one pic from upstairs.. down into the area ... ken Here is a link that might be useful: link
...See More
before and after
Q
Comments (5)
Several avenues to take here depending upon how much time and money you are willing to put forth. A fast track approach would b to plant the hillside in species interspersed with some of your larger growing dwarf uprights and deciduous counterparts. If you want to go deeper then you can haul in rock and build ledges boulder piles to give more character to the hill. A dry creek bed would be a consideration. Just giving you a few choices. Gradually add more diversified rarer dwarfs with high impact color and build you a show place. It will take longer to complete and over time you will have spent a wheel borrow full of money. The choice is yours. Have fun. Either way you need to draw a to scale plan of the area. Base all your sizes on the 10 year growth rate. You have to start somewhere to prevent over-crowding. Don't get in a hurry and always by that special conifer when you see it for sale if it figures into your design. It may never come your way again or take years to find another one. You live in one of the best areas in the country for conifer availability. Do your home work. Have a plan and implement it. It will be fun but not without challenges. Best, Dave
...See More
Full shade privacy screen (zone 9)
Q
Comments (6)
Of those two you mentioned, I'd go with the Sky Pencil. The yew will stay pretty low, not sure it would be enough privacy. And the SP would be an instant solution, depending on the size you buy. There is a newish variety of Yaupon, "Scarlet's Peak" ... stays narrow, but it does get up to 20 ft, and I don't know how much shade it can take. The females have berries. You might want to check around at trusted, local nurseries and get their opinions. Take pictures to show them. Another option is a trellis, arch, etc, and growing a vine(s) on it. Or, if you don't find a suitable plant, cafe curtains on the lower part of the windows. How much distance is there from the window to your property line? I'm just wondering why you need something so narrow, and am trying to visualize the area. Is it your side yard?
...See More
Shade loving plants as privacy screen for unit complex
Q
Comments (0)
Hi! We live in Brisbane, and I would like to plant something all the way along our western fence, which is in shade most of the day. I am looking for advice for what to plant that will provide some privacy. The morning shade is fairly light (with some patchy bits of direct sunlight) due to nearby taller trees. It is in heavier shade all of the afternoon. We have a 3 story block of units on our western boundary, and so the sun disappears behind this building. The soil is well drained, and deeper down has some clay. But the plants will most likely be in a raised bed in fresh soil, as we are going to build a retaining wall. We have planted Lilly pilly resilience along the back fence and about 3 metres down the western side, but then it starts to get shadey and I have noticed these few trees are already slower to grow so was contemplating a different variety of plant for the rest of the wall. Something fast growing would be ideal. Photo taken was at 12.30pm April 19. Do you think I should persist will Lilly Pilly? What about Camellias? What about Summerscent? Im not really a big fan of bamboo. Thanks!!! Lou
...See More
l pinkmountain
6 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
6 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
6 years ago
last modified: 6 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)
6 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
6 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)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 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.

Privacy screen in the shade...

mindshift

Comments (8)

whitewatervol (Z 8a/7b Upstate SC)

Related Discussions

l pinkmountain

Disa Crew
Original Author

l pinkmountain

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

laceyvail 6A, WV

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Privacy screen in the shade...

mindshift

Comments (8)

whitewatervol (Z 8a/7b Upstate SC)

Related Discussions

l pinkmountain

Disa CrewOriginal Author

l pinkmountain

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

laceyvail 6A, WV

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Disa Crew
Original Author