Plant Suggestions for Privacy - Ask Extension
Hi,
We would love suggestions on how to create more privacy along our fence as we don’t love the view of the parking lot/garbage cans. We would ...
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Plant Suggestions for Privacy #869797
Asked May 23, 2024, 1:57 PM EDT
Hi,
We would love suggestions on how to create more privacy along our fence as we don’t love the view of the parking lot/garbage cans. We would be open to planting in front of the fence or having something that will grow up the fence. This particular area is in full shade most of the year from a large maple tree. The length of the fence to the left of the tree pictured is 88 inches, to the right of the tree is 165 inches. We also have a dog, so we would need the plants to be pet friendly. We are excited to hear what suggestions you might have for us! Thank you so much for your input.
Hamilton County Ohio
Expert Response
Madeline,
Great question and I can readily envision what you have in mind. The real concerns I have with making a recommendation for you is your Maple tree and your pet. Just looking at the grass trying to grow in this area shows that it is struggling to get adequate light. Most shrubs and evergreen plants used as screens that come to mind will, most probably, not do well with the existing light conditions or are poisonous to dogs. Three types of plants that might fit your needs and fit into the partial shade area are hollys, hydrangeas and Bottlebrush Buckeye bushes.
The Hollys are evergreen while the hydrangeas and buckeyes will lose their leaves in late fall/winter. The problem with the hollys is they prefer acidic soil (low pH) whereas most of SW Ohio (my yard included) has alkaline soil (high pH). I have a couple hollys in the shaded side (N side) of my house and while they have survived with yearly acid treatments, they have not thrived. Whereas, I have a couple hydrangeas and Bottlebrush Buckeye bushes that are thriving. Remember, both are deciduous so they drop their leaves in late fall. You will have to decide whether you can tolerate the view you have in winter or do you want a year-round screen?
Last variable: both hollys and hydrangeas are poisonous to dogs. I would be reluctant to recommend either to you due to that issue.
My recommendation to you is twofold; (1) obtain a soil sample for this area and confirm the pH of the area and then (2) visit your local nursery or year-round garden center and look over the plants they have available. Take your pictures along and talk with them about your desires. I would do this as soon as possible since most bring in stock for spring planting. Once summer arrives, available stock quickly begins to disappear.
Hopefully, you local nursery will have additional plants they can recommend that are also safe to plant with your dog. Good luck and I'm sure there is a solution out there that will fit your circumstances.
Great question and I can readily envision what you have in mind. The real concerns I have with making a recommendation for you is your Maple tree and your pet. Just looking at the grass trying to grow in this area shows that it is struggling to get adequate light. Most shrubs and evergreen plants used as screens that come to mind will, most probably, not do well with the existing light conditions or are poisonous to dogs. Three types of plants that might fit your needs and fit into the partial shade area are hollys, hydrangeas and Bottlebrush Buckeye bushes.
The Hollys are evergreen while the hydrangeas and buckeyes will lose their leaves in late fall/winter. The problem with the hollys is they prefer acidic soil (low pH) whereas most of SW Ohio (my yard included) has alkaline soil (high pH). I have a couple hollys in the shaded side (N side) of my house and while they have survived with yearly acid treatments, they have not thrived. Whereas, I have a couple hydrangeas and Bottlebrush Buckeye bushes that are thriving. Remember, both are deciduous so they drop their leaves in late fall. You will have to decide whether you can tolerate the view you have in winter or do you want a year-round screen?
Last variable: both hollys and hydrangeas are poisonous to dogs. I would be reluctant to recommend either to you due to that issue.
My recommendation to you is twofold; (1) obtain a soil sample for this area and confirm the pH of the area and then (2) visit your local nursery or year-round garden center and look over the plants they have available. Take your pictures along and talk with them about your desires. I would do this as soon as possible since most bring in stock for spring planting. Once summer arrives, available stock quickly begins to disappear.
Hopefully, you local nursery will have additional plants they can recommend that are also safe to plant with your dog. Good luck and I'm sure there is a solution out there that will fit your circumstances.
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and detailed response!
Madeline
On May 24, 2024, at 4:46 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
