Enhancing Your Landscape with Plant Screens
Plant screens serve multiple practical and aesthetic purposes, transforming outdoor spaces into private retreats and visually appealing environments.
Reasons to Use Plant Screens
Privacy. One of the primary reasons people have plant screens is to create privacy. Screens can block the view of neighbors, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space in private.
Aesthetic Value Screens can also conceal less attractive features of your property, such as storage sheds or work areas, allowing you to relax without having to look at them.
Wildlife Habitat. Plant screens can provide shelter and food for birds and other wildlife. A varied selection of plant heights and types can attract a diverse range of species.
Choosing the Right Plants
When selecting plants for your screen, you should use a mix of species rather than relying on a single type. This not only adds visual interest but also reduces the risk of a pest or disease damaging or killing your entire screen. Here are some plant options to consider:
1. Arborvitae Varieties
- American Pillar (Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar'): Known for its medium to fast growth rate, this arborvitae forms a dense, upright screen, ideal for creating a solid backdrop. It reaches a mature width of about 6-8 feet and a height of about 30 feet.
- Thin Man (Thuja occidentalis 'Thin Man'): With a narrower profile – about 2-3 feet – this cultivar is perfect for tight spaces. Its columnar form makes it a great option for restricted areas.
- Skywalker (Thuja occidentalis 'Skywalker'): This variety offers a medium width of 4-6 feet and reaches heights of about 15 feet, fitting nicely between the broader American Pillar and the slimmer Thin Man.
2. Broadleaf Evergreens
- Foster Holly (Ilex x attenuata 'Fosteri'): A native hybrid known for its impressive size, reaching up to 30 feet tall. It is evergreen so it provides year-round privacy and features attractive berries in fall that benefit local wildlife.
- Hardy Anise Tree (Illicium parviflorum): This versatile plant thrives in both sunny and shaded areas. It grows to about 15 feet high and wide. It has dense foliage that when crushed has a unique licorice scent.
3. Deciduous Shrubs
-Sweetshrub (Calycanthus): A native shrub offering early spring and summer blooms with large, attractive leaves that come in multiple shapes on the same plant.
- Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus): Known for its long summer bloom period, it provides color and visual interest for most of the summer.
- Paniculata Hydrangea: These hydrangeas can grow quite large and are effective in creating a lush, flowering screen.
Creating a Balanced Screen
Incorporating a mix of evergreen and deciduous plants allows for year-round interest, seasonal variation, and summer flowers. Evergreens can form the backbone of your screen, providing consistent, dense coverage throughout the year. Deciduous shrubs add dynamic elements with their changing colors and blooms.
When planning your plant screen, consider spacing plants appropriately to fill gaps and ensure your screen develops fully over time. A well-thought-out combination of plant types will not only enhance the privacy and beauty of your landscape but also support local wildlife and add long-term value to your outdoor space.
Related Videos:
Seven Great Landscape Trees
Eleven Common Landscape Mistakes
Landscape Planning
Related Resources:
Plants for Mixed Privacy Screens
Mixed Screens
Reasons to Use Plant Screens
Privacy. One of the primary reasons people have plant screens is to create privacy. Screens can block the view of neighbors, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space in private.
Aesthetic Value Screens can also conceal less attractive features of your property, such as storage sheds or work areas, allowing you to relax without having to look at them.
Wildlife Habitat. Plant screens can provide shelter and food for birds and other wildlife. A varied selection of plant heights and types can attract a diverse range of species.
Choosing the Right Plants
When selecting plants for your screen, you should use a mix of species rather than relying on a single type. This not only adds visual interest but also reduces the risk of a pest or disease damaging or killing your entire screen. Here are some plant options to consider:
1. Arborvitae Varieties
- American Pillar (Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar'): Known for its medium to fast growth rate, this arborvitae forms a dense, upright screen, ideal for creating a solid backdrop. It reaches a mature width of about 6-8 feet and a height of about 30 feet.
- Thin Man (Thuja occidentalis 'Thin Man'): With a narrower profile – about 2-3 feet – this cultivar is perfect for tight spaces. Its columnar form makes it a great option for restricted areas.
- Skywalker (Thuja occidentalis 'Skywalker'): This variety offers a medium width of 4-6 feet and reaches heights of about 15 feet, fitting nicely between the broader American Pillar and the slimmer Thin Man.
2. Broadleaf Evergreens
- Foster Holly (Ilex x attenuata 'Fosteri'): A native hybrid known for its impressive size, reaching up to 30 feet tall. It is evergreen so it provides year-round privacy and features attractive berries in fall that benefit local wildlife.
- Hardy Anise Tree (Illicium parviflorum): This versatile plant thrives in both sunny and shaded areas. It grows to about 15 feet high and wide. It has dense foliage that when crushed has a unique licorice scent.
3. Deciduous Shrubs
-Sweetshrub (Calycanthus): A native shrub offering early spring and summer blooms with large, attractive leaves that come in multiple shapes on the same plant.
- Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus): Known for its long summer bloom period, it provides color and visual interest for most of the summer.
- Paniculata Hydrangea: These hydrangeas can grow quite large and are effective in creating a lush, flowering screen.
Creating a Balanced Screen
Incorporating a mix of evergreen and deciduous plants allows for year-round interest, seasonal variation, and summer flowers. Evergreens can form the backbone of your screen, providing consistent, dense coverage throughout the year. Deciduous shrubs add dynamic elements with their changing colors and blooms.
When planning your plant screen, consider spacing plants appropriately to fill gaps and ensure your screen develops fully over time. A well-thought-out combination of plant types will not only enhance the privacy and beauty of your landscape but also support local wildlife and add long-term value to your outdoor space.
Related Videos:
Seven Great Landscape Trees
Eleven Common Landscape Mistakes
Landscape Planning
Related Resources:
Plants for Mixed Privacy Screens
Mixed Screens