Shrubs

[ROMACK]

What would you guys recomend for a fast growing shrub for privacy area st.louis missouri

thanks,
Greg

[Stonehenge]

How big an area are you looking to make private?

Also, how tall does this privacy planting need to get?

[ROMACK]

Stonehenge its along a street about 75 foot

thanks,
Greg

Hey your site looks great !!!

[Stonehenge]

Thanks for the compliment! And welcome to GTX!!

How tall a screen are you looking for? A noise barrier, something to block the entire house, something just to say 'this is our yard - keep out', but in a nice way....

[ROMACK]

He wants something to block his view and there view .Another issue how about spacing.

Thanks,
Greg

The design outpost is a great deal Do you know if they send color seperations with the logo's

[jwholden]

White Pine
Spruce Trees
Arborvitae - Either Emerald green, narrow and columnar or Nigra, wide pyramid and you can plant them farther apart
Maximum Rhododendrons - large loose habit rhododendron that you can buy up to 6-8' tall for immediate screening
Leland cypress - Don't see this often, quick grower

These are some ideas, they are all hardy here in zone 6. What zone are you in? I love to mix up the above options for some variety but it amazes me, and especially my clients, how quickly they add up. Find out how quickly they would like privacy and how much they want to spend and that will dictate which plant and what size you will use. Often, the White Pines and Arborvitae win by default...

Welcome Romack! :)

[diginahole]

Here in Ontario you don't have to look far to get some plain ol' Swamp Cedars (Thuja ?occidentalis?). They make terrific hedges at a reasonable cost. We pack 'em one against the next when we install them. Two years down the road you've got some pretty excellent privacy.

[ROMACK]

GREAT IDEA'S THANKS!! This board is leaving the rest in the dust

[scl]

I like the arbs and pines idea. Used it a couple times before and its pretty cost effective. As far as the swamp cedars I wish I could find about 20 down here. Got just the application for them.

[NCSULandscaper]

Leyland cypress is a popular choice for my area.

[Lanelle]

I would recommend a mixed planting of at least two or three different shrubs/trees. The reasons are:
If one dies, you aren't left with a 'hole' that can't be matched later on. The hurricane took out about every third Leyland Cypress in some hedges---looks awful.
If a pest or disease attacks a monoculture hedge, all the plants are suspectible so you could lose the whole thing.
It looks less like a barracade if there is variety in the planting.
And it will be much more interesting to live with.

[Stonehenge]

Good ideas all around - I especially like Lanelle's - you'll increase the depth of the bed (don't have a straight row of plant material), it'll look more natural, and more attractive. :D

[ROMACK]

Thanks guys for all your help you made look great!!!!!!!

[dan deutekom]

I like Lanelle's idea because it is very informal. But I have to admit that a formal sheared cedar hedge about 10' tall is impressive too. Just a lot of maintenance

[agla]

Form follows function. It all depends on what going on around it, in front of it, what conditions are present that effect the plant, ... that narrows down the decision and then choose from what is left.
Most of us process this so quickly that we don't even consciously think about it. But if you have never thought about it, you need to get aware of why something looks good or works well in a situation.
Many landscapers that start without formal training (experience or school) don't take the time to understand what makes something work. Instead they only see what plants are used instead of how they are used and all of what is going on.
Once you start to analyze things you can break a composition up into form, color, texture, ... and understand what makes you like or dislike something. Then there is no stopping you.

I hedge of all the same plants is great. Layered plantings are great, massing is great. They are all great, but not interchangeable in every situation.

If you need an evergreen screen and have 14' between the house and property line any of these will work, but not if you have to get a truck back there once a year,... There never is an easy answer or the question will never be asked.

[dan deutekom]

Agla is right on. :D

[ROMACK]

GOOD POST ! Thanks everyone for taking time to reply
Greg