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Native shrubs to compete with forsythia #919991

Asked October 15, 2025, 1:07 PM EDT

I have a large forsythia "hedge" between my and my neighbor's backyards. On my side the forsythia is (not so slowly) intruding into my backyard, every year it takes another couple of feet through rooting stems. It's also infested with invasive vines. My plan is to cut our side of the hedge back to the ground so I can try to tackle the vines at the source with targeted herbicide application. What native shrubs can I plant for at least semi-privacy that will be able to stand up against the forsythia that is left on my neighbor's side? Our side is flat but it drops down pretty steeply on their side so anything that could help with erosion control would be great, and I'd like to have different shrubs mixed in so it doesn't need to be all one kind.

Howard County Maryland

Expert Response

Hi, 

What are the other growing conditions? Is it mostly sun, well-draining soil, any deer pressure?

Here is a list of some native shrubs that are also aggressive growers. Keep in mind that they may also encroach into your yard due to their spreading nature. 


Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) or Fragrant Sumac 'gro-low' (Rhus aromatica) - these are probably the most aggressive in the list

Chokeberry -either red or black species (Aronia sp.) 

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)

Virgina Sweetspire (Itea virginica)

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) - can get rather large

Juniper 'Gray Qwl' (Juniperus virginiana 'Gray Owl')

Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra)

Bayberry - Northern (Myrica pensyvanica)is hardy to zone 7 so if it is in more of a protected area you may want to plant the Southern species (Myrica cerifera) 

Let us know if you have further questions. 

Emily


Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied October 15, 2025, 5:02 PM EDT

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