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’t have to be a hermit to want a little privacy when relaxing
in your backyard. But at the same time, you don’t 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 “dead” 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.

“Appropriately sized” 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…

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’s
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’t need a lot of TLC. It’s 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’t 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’ll have a
lustrous green hedge that maintains its color through the winter.
You’ll need patience as it’s not a fast grower, but it is worth the
wait.

Trellis plants Just a reminder that, in a recent column, I described
some “social climbers;” vine-like plants that cling to pergolas,
gazebos and latticework. If you missed it, you can find that column at
my Web site, www.landsteward.org A strategically placed trellis can
provide privacy but in a more open, less dense way than a row of Green
Giants.

You are welcome to send me a few details about your specific
challenges and I’ll 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 and for resources and
additional information, or to subscribe to Steve’s free e-mailed
newsletter, visit www.landsteward.org