Native Plants
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Sunday - May 29, 2011
From: Muskego, WI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Evergreens for privacy screen in WI
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
We'd like to add privacy to our backyard with evergreen trees. The problem with this area is it very wet and the ground is soft and mushy until the dry summer conditions. We've rocklined the the area where water runs like a brook when it rains a lot, which has helped direct the rain, but it still is damp and moist.ANSWER:
You may be disappointed with our recommendations as the suitable evergreen trees are the one that can seem to dominate the natural world around you, such as:
Abies balsamea (Balsam fir) (Images)
Pinus strobus (Eastern white pine)
Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae)
Tsuga canadensis (Eastern hemlock) (check with your local agricultural extension service before you plant this tree, as it is highly susceptible to attack by woolly adelgid in warmer parts of its native range)
However, they are adapted to the conditions you describe as they are native to your area.
We recommend you use these "everyday" conifers for the backbone of your screen and then add smaller deciduous flowering trees to make the planting more interesting such as:
Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny service-berry)
(which flowers early in the spring, produces berries the birds love and then has interesting orange to red fall colour)
(which is a decidous conifer that turns yellow or orange in the fall before it loses its needles)
Ilex verticillata (Common winterberry)
(which will provide an amazing display of red berries as long as you plant a male and a female)
(which has very intense red fall colour)
Sambucus racemosa (Red elderberry)
(which also flowers early and produces very red berries)
Sorbus americana (American mountain ash)
(which produces red/orange berries that persist after the golden/orange leaves are shed in the fall)
If you create your screen using a mixed planting, you will not only have the privacy you need but it will be attractive to look at throughout the year, and will provide much needed wildlife habitat!
Here are some photos from our Image Library
More Privacy Screening Questions
Need suggestions for plants for a privacy screen in Arlington, VA.
June 22, 2011 - I am looking for a tall-growing tree/shrub to act as a privacy screen with neighbors on two existing borders, including, e.g., blocking out the neighbors tall swing set gym, deck, and other activity, ...
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Arborvitae as privacy screen in Maine
November 17, 2006 - I want to plant privacy bushes (arborvitae shrubs) around my back yard. My husband built a wall to retain the soil behind it. My neighbors' yards abut mine. They have a fence, but not high enough to...
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Shrubs or trees for privacy screen in New Hampshire
May 30, 2009 - I am looking to put up a living privacy wall in my yard. My husband and I just bought a house in Derry, NH, and have a rather large backyard (approx. 1 acre), which seems to get continuous sun. We h...
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Native evergreen for privacy screen
May 15, 2008 - I want to incorporate a tree in my landscaping near my house (10-15 feet) for privacy, what are the best trees that don't shed their leaves and have nice flowers and their roots wont destroy my found...
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Privacy screen for wet area in Florida
February 08, 2010 - What are the best type of bushes/trees to plant in a low-lying area which is very wet--has sitting water after rainfall and drains slowly that is fast growing and serve as a good privacy border near f...
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