Shrubs & Hedges, Privacy Trees, Evergreen Trees
Planting Shrubs for Privacy
Written by
Blair Brown
How to Plant and Grow Shrubs for Privacy
If you're looking for natural privacy barriers for your yard, there are many privacy shrubs that will fit the bill. Boxwoods, Forsythia, Chinese Privets, Emerald Green Arborvitae and Euonymus are just a few of a big list of shrubs that one can use for a privacy border at home.
As a general rule, most Privacy Shrubs prefer a rich, high humus soil that is well drained but remains moist. You can help the soil conditions at your home by adding compost or leaf mold to the planting hole and mulching heavily with shredded leaves, pine needles or compost. To plant straight privacy shrubs, dig a single trench along the length of the entire line. Dig a channel that is just deep enough to accommodate the root balls and roughly twice as wide.
How to Plant Privacy Shrubs
When planting staggered privacy shrubs, mark the location of each plant before digging holes that are just deep enough to accommodate the root balls but twice as wide. Place the privacy shrub/shrubs in the hole and backfill the trench or planting holes halfway with soil and compost, and give the plants a good soaking with water.
Fill with remaining soil to tops of root balls and tamp firmly with your feet to compact the soil. After planting and watering, add a layer of mulch around the new shrub/shrubs.
Watering and Pruning Privacy Shrubs
Be sure to water evergreen privacy shrubs through the winter, especially if rainfall is scarce, and protect them if necessary by covering them with burlap or spraying them with an anti-desiccant (compounds applied to plants to reduce dehydration and prevent drying).
Pruning keeps the privacy shrub healthy as you contain it and prevent it from spreading too much. Thinning out the top ensures that lower branches get sunlight.
