What evergreen will make a good screen for neighbors?

Question

I would like to plant some evergreens in my backyard to block out my neighbors, but I would like something with a little different color other than regular green. The point where they will be planted is actually about 10' above my house, so they do not need to grow very high to really block out my neighbor. I saw some Canadian Hemlock today that looked like it had a different green color. Any suggestions is this is a good idea to plant or any other suggestions on what to plant.

Answer 1

You don't say where you live, and that makes a huge difference in making a recommendation.

I'm an advocate for using native species whenver possible, as local insects and birds are adapted to them and you'll have fewer problems relating to pest control.

Visit a good nursery in your area and get evergreens that act as a screen but provide habitat for the birds!

Answer 2

For an effective, yet "neighbourly" evergreen screen, nothing can beat cedars. They are winter-hardy, respond well to regular fertilizing and only ask for watering during summer drought ,and before winter sets in. There are several varieties of vertical-standing cedars that have colourful, yellow-highlighted tips to their branches, that might appeal to your desire for something different than solid green. Hemlocks take longer to grow to maturity, and perhaps will grow to a much larger size than your property can accomodate. All the best!

Answer 3

I would plant eleagnus, the only plant that will stop a Buick doing 60 MPH. They have to have a large amount of room, so plant them 5 feet apart. No one is going to walk through them as they have small thorns on them and will bug the crap out of someone. They have a small, almost unseen flower, and teh bush sends out long reeds. The leaves are a rough looking green on one side and a silverish on the other. The leaves are not smooth. The little seeds attract birds in the fall.

You see them a lot in the medians of highways because they grow fast, are strong, and almost indestructible. The long shoots that they send out in all directions will mean taht you don't plant them on the property line, you plant them abuot 5 feet inside your propertly line and you will have to have about five feet past that for them to cover when they are fully grown. I have one in my back yard that is 10 feet tall

Answer 4

I know there are different types of hedges that will have different colors of green. You could also consider something like a "Christmas Holly" which has the little red or yellow berries and makes a thick bush year around, and it's a very hardy bush. It'll take the extremes of weather. Best of luck with your decision.

Answer 5

There are many varieties of Yew to consider here. Yew is a shrub that can grow in any shape you want and some are even a pale yellowish green. Mature yews also produce blue berries in fall and winter. Many of them grow no taller than ten feet. You should contact a local nursery to find out what is available in your area.

Answer 6

hemlock are good but they get dieased real easy pyramids are good growers and they have a wonderful scent to them also are a cheap plant hemlock are very high from a nursery woman in tennessee

Answer 7

I would look at hedge plans like boxwood or other plants that make for excellent screens. Talk to a nursery.

Answer 8

Hemlock is good. Maybe even smaller pine trees.