I would like to plant a row of trees or bushes that get at least 7' tall. For once, I am actually trying to plan ahead and come up with something that I will plant in the fall. I will prepare the area now so that it will be ready then. I really liked the idea of planting vitex trees in this space, but they are decidious and I would like to have privacy in the winter as well. I I live on top of limestone and hardly have any soil in this area. I will bring in soil to do this planting but wanted to give that information to you so that you will know the soil conditions.
Debbie, if you are reading, previously you had suggested holly trees. Can you offer a recommendation? I was at the nursery today and only could find a yaupon holly. I did get a vitex today though....very happy about that, especially since it is pretty big and was only $15.
Thanks for any suggestions. I am at a loss at what to plant and really would like to get a plan going.
Recommendations for privacy plantings
Yaupon, but not the dwarf variety, makes a good privacy plant if you let them get big and full and is not deciduous for me. Excellent berries for the birds in winter. Not the fastest growing native shrub I have but that may just be here--so get larger sizes to start if you really need the privacy and look around for a good shaped plant. This is just my opinion, I like growing it. It and Possum Haw (ilex decidua) are the only ones I grow.
Debbie
Wow, I just thought they were tiny trees, but you are right...I looked in Plant Files and they do get good and tall don't they. Nice suggestion......I am sure the birds wouldn't complain. ha ha. The pictures of the berries in PF are gorgeous.
Mine is beautiful at Christmas--it's nothing to hear mockingbirds squaking and fighting over something this time of year--but quite unusual and amusing in the winter. Low care landscape plant too.
Scroll down to the first picture here and this guy has a large Savannah Holly in Austin--very pretty. Don't know if its native or not.
http://www.soulofthegarden.com/dailymuse0306.html
=)
This message was edited Jul 15, 2006 4:53 PM
All of those pictures are great, thanks for sharing the site.
We just planted two Savannah Hollies this spring. Mine are also for privacy. Our neighbor's house is much deeper than ours and their windows look right over our back porch.
Savannah's are great because they don't get any wider than 15 feet, but they do get at least 20 feet tall. That may be too tall for you but you will have to decide. They are not super cheap, but are supposed to grow fairly fast. Actually you can get the ones that have not been trained as trees for about 25% cheaper.
I will take a picture of them in a bit once the sun goes down a little more.
Here it is in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/62963/index.html
Beautiful Holly--thanks for posting this Merae, I may try to get one this fall too.
Here are mine... They are pretty scrawny now, but they are new and about 8 feet tall.
Sweezel--those look really great for their first year in the ground.
I was looking at Ecolage online (I like their stuff) at the savannah holly and there was an Ilex Vomitorea 'Will Fleming'--which is a yaupon holly variety--that's tall and columnar in shape 12-15' tall. Not sure of the room you have to work with Merae, but on my 'postage stamp sized suburban lot' it might work really well. Not much on it in the PlantFiles though.
Now I guess I'm also going to have to add another holly this fall. Good thread Merae!
You could also try Carolina Cherry Laurel, Prunus caroliniana, it is evergreen and grows fast with pretty flowers in the Spring and berries in the fall.
It is also easy to find and not expensive .
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57865/index.html
Josephine.
sweet olive is one of my favorites for privacy screen
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1450/index.html
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Sweezel, that was so kind of you to take a pic of your beautiful trees for me. I am afraid that you and I face the same problem.....with the neighbors windows right in your back yard. It isn't that I don't like my neighbors....I certainly do, but I would enjoy some privacy and could definitely use some more shade. Debbie, I am glad you like the thread...your advice has been very helpful to me. You have really got me with the Savannah Holly...the berries are so pretty and currently I have a ton of birds with nothing for them to feast on but the bugs and worms in my yard. I love watching them and listening to them.
Josephine...your comment that you made in the PlantFiles for the Carolina Cherry Laurel ( I pasted below). I couldn't have said it better, well put. Thank you for being honest and having the courage to state your opinion. I think some people shy away from doing so because they are afraid of what others will think. Someone needed to say what you said, so thanks for speaking up!
On May 1, 2004, frostweed from Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:
Some people complain about certain trees or plants because they either drop leaves or fruits and they are labeled undesirable.
I have had nothing but good things happen with this tree. The flowers are lovely and the birds love the fruits. Some do come up here and there but just as with any other tree there is allways something that either drops or sprouts. Should we not plant oaks because they drop acorns and make seedlings? Should we not plant pecans? I rest my case,all plants just like us humans create some waste, but if handled properly all so called waste becomes food for plants and animals.
You are welcome, and thank you for putting up my comment, I am glad you agree.
Josephine.
Yes, our patio is right there on that corner of the house. It runs right across from the tree on the left. I just don't like sitting there and staring at their house. It does not help that our house is higher up (the trees are on the slope) so we look right into their breakfast nook when those blinds are open. The rest of our yard is wide open, mostly because we have a easement in the back and on the other side of the house. I like the privacy and that's the one place it's missing.
I hope you find a good deal on the Savannah's. I called about 3 or 4 places and it ended up that the local tree nursery in McKinney was cheapest. The owner grows them on his tree farm east of here. Plus he threw in 4 small trees (Texas Ash & Bald Cypress) planted and guaranteed for $30 each.
Have you ck'd out Viburnums?
No I haven't. I don't guess I really even have heard of that or know what it is. I love learning new things...thanks for your suggestion. I am off to PlantFiles....
the mountain laurel makes a nice privacy screen
Mt Laurels are absolutely awesome! Close your eyes & you can taste Grape Kool-aid but they are s--l--o--w growers!