Plants for Landscape and Privacy Screenings

Best grown in evenly moist, well-drained loams (e.g., sand-clay mixture) in full sun to part shade. Plants will grow well in a variety of part shade situations, including open sun-dappled conditions or light shade with several hours of morning sun or early afternoon sun. Plants can grow in close to full shade, but typically are less vigorous and more open with decreased foliage density. When grown in full sun, plant foliage is more likely to scorch, bronze in winter or suffer from mite attacks. Plants prefer soils with a pH of slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.

Plants are generally tolerant of pruning and shearing. Pruning should never be done prior to the last spring frost date. Pruning too early in spring often promotes tender new growth that may be damaged or killed by a late spring frost. Avoid cultivating around plants because they have shallow roots. Roots appreciate a good organic (e.g., bark or compost) mulch (1-2”). Thin plants and remove dead/damaged branches annually to improve air circulation.

Boxwood is best sited in locations sheltered from strong winds, with, if possible, some protection from full winter sun. Foliage may bronze in winter when exposed to half day to full day sun. Winter winds can remove moisture from leaves at a rapid rate, often resulting in dehydration and bronzing. Carefully remove heavy snow accumulations as quickly as practicable to minimize stem/branch damage.

Betula nigra ‘Heritage (clump)’ has amazing peeling bark in colors of white, brown and tan, and creamy white providing winter interest in the landscape. This clump birch has chartreuse catkins in early spring with dark green foliage throughout the seasons. Its pointy leaves turn a vibrant orange yellow in the fall.

Heritage River Birch (clump) will grow to be about 35 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, preferring to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the leaves in alkaline soils.

It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. We utilized black mulch on this landscaping project in Bergen County.

The plants selected for this screening are Arborvitae “green giants”. The green giant arborvitae is a large, vigorous, fast-growing evergreen. It’s pyramidal to conical shape boasts dense, rich green foliage that darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter. The Thuja is a living fence that provides much-needed privacy from neighbors with very little yard space required, The Thuja Green Giant is a high-quality, easy pick that grows 3-5 feet per year once it’s established.

Thuja Green Giants grow in a uniform shape and height, offering a classic look without the hassle of pruning or shearing. Best grown in moist, fertile, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates somewhat wide range of soils and some dry conditions and like its parent Japanese arborvitae it thrives in USDA zones 5 though 9. Some species develop bronze streaks in winter. While arborvitaes have lost some of their popularity with gardeners in recent years, the cultivar ‘Green Giant’ is an exceptional plant.

A vigorous and beautiful evergreen, Green Giant (Thuja x ‘Green Giant’) grows rapidly into a pleasing pyramidal shape. Green Giant arborvitae have flattened sprays of scale-like leaves. The foliage is bright green and darkens a little in the colder months. It never bronzes like the Oriental arborvitae. Look for a white line on the bottoms of the leaves of these plants. It is faint but adds a touch of brightness to the foliage.

Miscanthus sinensis, commonly known as Chinese silver grass, Japanese silver grass or eulalia grass, is a clump-forming warm season grass that typically grows to 3-7’ tall. This grass features a dense clump of upward-arching stems and leaves which give it a rounded, fountain-like appearance. Linear leaves (to 3-4’ long and 3/8” wide) have tapered tips, serrate margins and whitish to silvery midribs. Foliage often turns attractive shades of yellow to orange by mid-fall before gradually fading to beige-tan for winter.

Pink to red flowers in feathery, whisk-like, loose terminal panicles (8-10” long) bloom above the foliage from late August to October. Flower panicles gradually turn beige by mid-fall as the seeds mature. Flower panicles and foliage both retain good arching shape, beige color and ornamental interest throughout winter, with enhanced attractiveness often coming from a covering of new fallen snow.

Best in full sun. Less vigorous with decreased flowering and tendency to flop in too much shade. Tolerant of summer heat and humidity. Clumps slowly expand in circumference by short rhizomes, but typically retain tight clump shape. Foliage should be left standing throughout the winter for visual interest and crown protection. Cut foliage close to the ground in late winter just before new shoots appear. Propagate by division of the crown.

Versatile ornamental grass. Accent, specimen or small grouping. Borders, meadows, wild gardens, cottage gardens, naturalized areas or pond/water garden peripheries. Dried flowers are long lasting.

Cornus sericea – Red Twig Dogwood

Excellent massed or as a specimen. Effective in shrub borders where plants can be combined with evergreens or a contrasting color of redtwig dogwoods for interesting winter contrast. Also effective in naturalistic plantings in moist soils where plants can be allowed to spread and form thickets. Plants perform very well in wet locations such as low spots or along streams or ponds where spreading roots can help combat soil erosion. May also be used as a property line screen.

In Spring, it puts out attractive white flowers. Summer, it fills out into a well shaped shrub with beautiful green leaves. Fall starts warming up with red fall foliage. Come winter, the leaves drop, exposing this amazing bright, red bark. Use the Red Twig Dogwood as a privacy screen or even as a foundation hedge. It makes an attractive, large shrub all by itself, but is definitely most dramatic when several are planted together. Birds in need of good camouflage are drawn to the foliage of this shrub. More importantly, this serves as a place for shelter and food supply, too. By tending this tree, you effortlessly yet significantly contribute to providing a more conducive ecosystem to overlooked species that are integral part of our spheres too.

Security of property need not be sealed with high fences and steel bars. Nature permits gardeners to maintain the fluidity and serenity via privacy trees like the red twig dogwood. For those who simply want a private space outdoors, planting this shrub will definitely make your leisure time more worthwhile and intimate, too. You can enjoy the wind, the sun, the snow, or a little of nature’s wonders without having to worry whether you are being stalked or talked about bypassers-by or nosy neighbors.

Grows in full sun or shade, but the more sun, the more color. The red twig dogwoo is a staple in a winter garden because it boasts of bright reds that signal the time for the sappy, cozy, crazy season, too. The ravishing yet very random rusty red across a stark white scenery is both captivating and comforting. The red twig dogwood is at its peak when it sheds its leaves to let the world see its stems that seem to purposefully trim its intricacies.