Privacy Fence Shrubs
Dense shrubs with a minimal maintenance requirement are ideal for producing a natural fence. When planted in masses, these shrubs block the view of unsightly streets while providing a few seclusion to your yard with their attractive foliage and blooms.
Evergreen Shrubs for Sun
When the region wanting the privacy fence receives between 6 to 8 hours of sun, evergreen shrubs — such as “Manhattan” euonymus and boxwood — thriving in sunlight is going to do the job. “Manhattan” euonymus (Euonymus kiautschovicus “Manhattan”) grows in a rounded form with heights of 4 to 6 feet at U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. This broadleaf evergreen grows in full sun or partial shade and produces white flowers in summer that attracts bees. In late autumn, pinkish red capsules seem and can last during the winter months. Several cultivars of this versatile evergreen shrub boxwood (Buxus) are ideal for privacy fencing. Green Tower™ boxwood (Buxus sempervirens “Monrue”) and “Golden Triumph” boxwood (Buxus microphylla “Golden Triumph”) are just two boxwood cultivars growing in sunlight in USDA zones 5 through 9. Green Tower ™ includes a columnar form with heights of about 9 feet while the compact cultivar “Golden Triumph” reaches just about 2 to 3 feet high.
Evergreen Shrubs for Color
Evergreen shrubs such as Santa’s Delight™ English holly and inkberry are evergreen shrubs that grow well as privacy fence in nesting locations. Santa’s Delight™ English holly (Ilex aquifolium “Sadezam”) creates bluish green foliage edged in creamy white. As the fall season begins, the white edge on the leaves changes to shades of pink. This broadleaf evergreen shrub grows in shade in USDA zones 6 through 9, reaching heights between 10 and 12 feet. Inkberry (Ilex glabra) grows in partial shade to full sun in USDA zones 4 through 9. It produces glossy, deep green foliage and unimpressive greenish white flowers. If the female blossoms are pollinated, little black berry-like fruit appear in autumn and persists throughout the winter. Inkberry can reach heights of around 8 feet and tolerates wet, soggy soils.
Deciduous Shrubs for Sun
Deciduous shrubs do not retain their foliage during the year but can still provide privacy during specific seasons. For example, using deciduous shrubs — such as “Centennial Spirit” crape myrtle and Berry Nice™ winterberry — as a privacy hedge for pools will likely block the view of nosy neighbours during the seasons pools are most commonly utilized. “Centennial Spirit” crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica “Centennial Spirit”) is a 10- to 12-foot-tall shrub growing in sunlight in USDA zones 7 through 9. “Centennial Spirit” provides curiosity through the year with clusters of rosy red blooms in the summer, stunning foliage color in the autumn and peeling gray bark with creamy hues underneath. Berry Nice™ winterberry (Ilex verticillata “Spriber”) grows well in which other shrubs cannot. This 6- to 8-foot-tall hedge shrub tolerates clay soil and wet spots in full sun or partial shade in USDA zones 3 through 9. Berry Nice™ creates deep red cosmetic berries that last through the winter and into early spring.
Deciduous Shrubs for Color
Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)and Oriental fairy bells (Disporum cantoniense “Green Giant”)are just two deciduous shrubs that may be utilized as privacy fencing. Their appealing blooms brighten up partially shaded places and the fruit that follows adds interest in the autumn and winter season. Black chokeberry is located in USDA zones 3 through 8, creating clusters of white flowersthat are followed by blackish purple, bird-attracting fruit. It attains heights between 6 and 3 feet with a spread to match. Chinese fairy bells grow in USDA zones 7 through 9 with green, white or pink limbs that look like bamboo. It grows to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. In mid-spring, fragrant white flowers look and provide way to shiny black berry-like fruit in autumn. Chinese fairy bells need regular watering during its first growing period and during periods of intense heat.
