Screening evergreen hedge or shrub/Garrett County - Ask Extension
Looking for recommendations for planting a straightline row (about 12'-16') of hedge/shrub to screen hot tub area from nearby roadway. Prefer reasona...
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Screening evergreen hedge or shrub/Garrett County #404857
Asked June 05, 2017, 3:42 PM EDT
Looking for recommendations for planting a straightline row (about 12'-16') of hedge/shrub to screen hot tub area from nearby roadway. Prefer reasonably quick growth to height of about 6', evergreen (not deciduous). Planting on well-drained site with full sun in climate at Deep Creek Lake.
Garrett County Maryland
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. For an evergreen screen, some good choices are upright hollies (Ilex sp.), False Cypresses (Chamaecyparis sp.), and Arborvitae (Thuja sp.). We recommend that you plant a diverse mix of plant types to help minimize disease and pest problems.
ckc
ckc
Thank you for those ideas. I am now leaning toward using an ornamental grass that would top-out at about 6'. There seem to be many varieties and thus I'd be limited to what I could find in Maryland among those rated hardy for zone 6a or 5b. Any recommendations appreciated.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) would be a nice choice and there are several good cultivars (‘Northwind’ and 'Heavy Metal,' to name just two) that can found in Maryland nurseries. It grows in thickly and up to 6' tall. It dries to brown in the winter but you can leave it up as a screen and cut it back to regrow new foliage in the spring. They fill in fast in the spring (May).
ckc
ckc
Of the two switchgrass varieties you suggest, based on photos I lean more toward Northwind but have been unable to locate after checking with 4 nurseries in Montgomery County(plan to buy here, then travel to Garrett.) As alternatives, what would be your opinion about Miscanthus instead? I am finding that "Cabaret" and "Silberfelder" are readily available and seem OK as to hardiness.
We don't recommend Miscanthus, as it is not native and has been found to seed itself into wild areas, and can become invasive.
cm
cm
Good to know, and thanks again. Just was able to locate the Panicum "Northwind" and will be using this as you recommended. I appreciate your prompt and helpful service.
