Evergreen Borders - Ask Extension
In a recent post about leyland cypresses, you stated “In the future, it would be best to diversify evergreen borders with a variety of evergreens an...
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Evergreen Borders #447366
Asked April 12, 2018, 7:42 AM EDT
In a recent post about leyland cypresses, you stated “In the future, it would be best to diversify evergreen borders with a variety of evergreens and deciduous plant selections rather than just one species.”. What do you recommend as evergreen borders for Maryland? We were planning on planting leyland cypresses along our yard for privacy, but do not want to risk the browning that can occur with the suddend drops in temperature. Thank you!
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
What we would suggest would be a mixed border of plantings. That way if something fails (due to a pest, disease or even abiotic problem), you don't have the whole planting (a mono-culture) go down at once.
Some of the plants that could be a part of this include Arborvitae, Hollies (American holly is native), Cryptomeria, Junipers, Yews, Magnolia, etc. A tall evergreen background could have some groupings of deciduous shrubs or small trees in front, like redbuds, or spring blooming ornamentals (azaleas, crabapples... read tags depending on how much sun).
This Extension publication is from a little further south so not all of the plants are good choices for here, but it does a great job of explaining the concept and lists many that will work:
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/mixed-screens/
Leylands often look pretty great for the first 20 years or so. The browning from winter drops off and new green tips grow.
You could surely use them as long as you go into it knowing that, and prepared to deal with having to remove and replace them eventually.
cm
Some of the plants that could be a part of this include Arborvitae, Hollies (American holly is native), Cryptomeria, Junipers, Yews, Magnolia, etc. A tall evergreen background could have some groupings of deciduous shrubs or small trees in front, like redbuds, or spring blooming ornamentals (azaleas, crabapples... read tags depending on how much sun).
This Extension publication is from a little further south so not all of the plants are good choices for here, but it does a great job of explaining the concept and lists many that will work:
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/mixed-screens/
Leylands often look pretty great for the first 20 years or so. The browning from winter drops off and new green tips grow.
You could surely use them as long as you go into it knowing that, and prepared to deal with having to remove and replace them eventually.
cm
