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Hi, I am Wondering what kind of bushes/shrubs would make a nice Privacy border around a property edge.
My Home and land sit off the road and I do live in the country, But I still would like to put bushes and or shrubs on the fence line near the road.

I am in NY and there will be a mixture of shade and sun, there are Oak,maple,fruit and Pine trees there now. I would like something that gets at least 6 foot tall, I would like it to stay green all year long but I can work around that.

So what do you suggest, There are animals, Wild and domestic along with farm animals to consider, I could Use fencing if need be. Thanks

JOE.G said:

Hi, I am Wondering what kind of bushes/shrubs would make a nice Privacy border around a property edge.
My Home and land sit off the road and I do live in the country, But I still would like to put bushes and or shrubs on the fence line near the road.

I am in NY and there will be a mixture of shade and sun, there are Oak,maple,fruit and Pine trees there now. I would like something that gets at least 6 foot tall, I would like it to stay green all year long but I can work around that.

So what do you suggest, There are animals, Wild and domestic along with farm animals to consider, I could Use fencing if need be. Thanks

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For privacy along the back of our property we have some arborvitaes. You can see them in the background of this picture. They are really thick! I have not looked to see if they are good for your shade/sun condition or location, though.

Do you know how long ago those were planted? They seem like they would do a good job.

Eastern Red Cedar will be about as trouble free maintenance wise as it could get and fairly fast growing. Animals usually aren't a problem but will go under low hanging branches sometimes to help with fly control on their back. One other benefit is the price is usually right. If you weren't so far I'd give you all you need.

Around here cedar trees grow like weeds. They infest pastures so bad that farmers try to kill them with grass fires, chemicals, chainsaws, limb loppers, brush cutters, a device that fits on a front end loader, bush hogs, and sometimes a swather. My neighbor has one tall one and I remove about 50 small cedars a year that start up on my yard from his yard. All the borders that grew them years ago have been cut down for the most part in town. In northwest Kansas they call them evergreens. Farmers grow them for windbreaks. They go to a great deal of trouble to grow them there and they do not seem to spread around. After about 20 years they get to large, an ice storm comes along and destroys them. Then they bulldoze them out and start over. My Dad had a good many in his yard but kept them trimmed and shaped. No one trimmed them after he passed on and now 10 years later they have grown far to big and are breaking down all over the yard last time I was over that way. Most folks do not like the trimming here in town so just cut them out after they get ugly. Lilac bushes are the same way. Used to be everywhere in town for privacy borders but no one wants to clean up after them so they just cut them out.

JOE.G said:

Do you know how long ago those were planted? They seem like they would do a good job.

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I don't know exactly, but I would say at least 20 years ago.

Leland cypress is what we use around here. They have a nice shape like a Xmas tree.
Never need trimming they just keep there nice shape.
Can grow in full sun to part shade

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Thanks for the ideas, We have some cedars here unsure what type. They don't seem to spread to bad.

Leyland Cyprus grow like wildfire. Plant them with at least 6' between them. As far as arborvite, go with the Thuga Green Giants.

If you want instant results it would be a fence. It will take years for shrubs to do their job. But they will in time. Good luck

Doesn't need to be instant I live in the country and off the road, I just want a board in the front of the property.

I would try Cherry Laurels. I planted them as privacy border on my side yard. They grow to 8 to 10 feet tall.

There nice do they stay green all year long?

Every area in the country requires different plants.... take a drive around where you live, find something that really appeals to you and get that.

JOE.G said:

Hi, I am Wondering what kind of bushes/shrubs would make a nice Privacy border around a property edge.
My Home and land sit off the road and I do live in the country, But I still would like to put bushes and or shrubs on the fence line near the road.

I am in NY and there will be a mixture of shade and sun, there are Oak,maple,fruit and Pine trees there now. I would like something that gets at least 6 foot tall, I would like it to stay green all year long but I can work around that.

So what do you suggest, There are animals, Wild and domestic along with farm animals to consider, I could Use fencing if need be. Thanks

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It might vary in your area I went with Leyland cypress, and Blue tipped juniper planted 5 ft apart they will provide a good screen.

wjjones said:

It might vary in your area I went with Leyland cypress, and Blue tipped juniper planted 5 ft apart they will provide a good screen.

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Not sure in your area but down south where I'm from I see alot of Lugustrum as well as Leland Cypress for privacy screens...depends on the look that you are going for. Lugustrum grow in pretty quick and can get tall. Those Cypress (Conifers) are good but have a shallow root system and can be invasive...have to be careful where you plant those.

Hey Joe-in FLA, the Cherry Laurel grows quick like a bunny...does stay green if I recall, but loves to drop LEAVES... That would be a major consideration.. How much cleanup do you have time for?

They also spread large seeds in abundance, & babies can overrun an area quickly. About the best thing I can say is they smell nice when you mow over the clippings. They will make a nice canopy when shaped, but not so good as a barrier. Just my 2 cents.

I just picked up some arborvitae,Rhododendron, I also was giving some Texas Lilac, azalea and Rose of Sharon. See how these do.