March 1, 2022
Not a fan of the view from your backyard or perhaps you’re looking for some more privacy? As homeowners have spent more time at home the last few years, we’ve gotten an increasing number of calls requesting plantings to create a privacy screen in their landscape. Privacy fences are great solutions, but sometimes are not enough, too costly, not permitted, or simply not desirable to the owner. This is where the Arborvitae comes in. As long as there is adequate sun and good soil quality, we often suggest Arborvitae as the solution. Arborvitae are moderate growers, evergreen, and with varieties like Emerald Green won’t take up too much space. We like Emerald Green Arborvitae for it’s ideal mature size. They reach a nice height that accommodates most scenarios and yet stay very narrow, only 3-4’ wide, unlike most Spruce or Pine that typically grow to widths of 30’ plus! That just wouldn’t work in the average suburban landscape where homeowners want space to be able to enjoy their backyards. Emerald Green Arborvitae have attractive medium-green foliage that grow in a fan-like pattern. When properly sited the tree will grow densely.
Hedges, privacy screens, specimen plants
Vernal witch hazel is easy to grow and thrives in moist, well-drained soil.
If you’re looking for an evergreen shrub to brighten your landscape or contrast existing shrubbery, consider golden mop cypress.
Evergold is a cool-season grass and can be semi-evergreen in the Midwest climate.
Matrona sedum is hardy, drought-tolerant, and thrives in full sunlight.