During spring and summer we all tend to spend more time enjoying the outdoors part of our home. A lazy lunch on the patio on Sunday, perhaps, or relaxing on the deck with a cool drink as the sun goes down. Maybe an impromptu picnic in the backyard.
If you happen to live in a remote country setting, your closest neighbors are probably deer, bunnies and other assorted wildlife. But for most of us, suburban living means that our homes are in fairly close proximity to those of our human neighbors. Sometimes a little too close for comfort.
You don=92t have to be a hermit to want a little privacy when relaxing in your backyard. But at the same time, you don=92t want to build a mini version of the Berlin Wall and alienate everyone in the neighborhood. What can you do to create a private haven in your backyard while continuing to live in harmony with your neighbors?
Creating privacy with trees, shrubs and other plants provides a number of benefits. Firstly, of course, living plants are a lot more aesthetically pleasing than a =93dead=94 wall or an expanse of bare fence. Additionally, a hedge or some appropriately-sized trees are a friendlier barrier between you and your neighbors than a solid wall.
=93Appropriately sized=94 is an important factor here. A relatively small space would not be a suitable location for a stand of trees that would grow to a great height because they would eventually dominate your yard, blocking out all sunlight and probably becoming a bone of contention with your neighbors! Always determine the expected mature height before you invest in any trees that are intended to form a barrier.
So what to plant? Every situation will have its own unique characteristics, but a good starting point would be to look at=85
Cedar Green Giant I find myself recommending Green Giant more and more these days, particularly to homeowners looking for some privacy. For a start, it=92s remarkably fast growing, shooting up three feet or more every year. Green Giant is an evergreen conifer with a delightful conical habit and dense, dark green foliage that reaches right down the ground. A few Green Giants, planted 3 to 5 feet apart will create a very dense screen; plant them further apart for a more open feel.
Green Giant doesn=92t need a lot of TLC. It=92s a hardy plant that tolerates almost any soil and is resistant to damage from ice and snow. Additionally, it is heat and drought tolerant, once established, and resistant to disease, pests and even deer.
Although it doesn=92t need to be pruned, you should be aware that it can grow to a height of 30 to 50 feet. If you are planting a row of Green Giants as a living fence, you can easily keep it trimmed to 8 feet, 10 feet or whatever works in your situation.
This is a good time to be planning your privacy needs because fall will be here before we know it and Green Giant is ideal for fall planting. As you can see, this tree is definitely a favorite of mine! But there are other ways to use plants to enhance your privacy.
Emerald Green Arborvitae If you can wait until next spring, you might consider Emerald Green, my favorite Arborvitae. Plant bare root Emerald Green in a row about 2 to 3 feet apart in the spring and in a few years, you=92ll have a lustrous green hedge that maintains its color through the winter. You=92ll need patience as it=92s not a fast grower, but it is worth the wait.
Trellis plants Just a reminder that, in a recent column, I described some =93social climbers;=94 vine-like plants that cling to pergolas, gazebos and latticework. If you missed it, you can find that column at my Web site,
You are welcome to send me a few details about your specific challenges and I=92ll try to help you create a private haven in your backyard.
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to snipped-for-privacy@landsteward.org and for resources and additional information, or to subscribe to Steve=92s free e-mailed newsletter, visit