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Is the lot next door an eyesore? Instead of complaining, why not plant a screen of evergreens to hide the clutter, enhance your property and provide privacy year-round? This plan is intended for sunny gardens in Zones 5 to 8. Prepare the soil thoroughly prior to planting: Remove any rocks and perennial weeds, then break up the soil to a depth of at least a foot to ensure good drainage and incorporate several inches of organic material. After planting, apply a 2- to 3-inch mulch of bark (shredded or nuggets) or pine needles. The measurements given approximate each plant's ultimate height, but growth will be slow. Purchase large plants for the background if you want to create an instant screen; to soften the hardscape, allow low plants in front to trail over the wall.

To ensure season-long interest, plant groups of spring-flowering bulbs such as squills, snowdrops, crocus and species daffodils and tulips among the newly planted evergreens. Interplant with later-blooming columbines, wild hyacinths (Camassia), foxgloves and hardy geraniums to extend the display. Consider liriope, hosta, astilbe and low-growing mums to round out the season.


Key to Plan

1. Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Degroots Spire') 5 plants set 6 feet apart; 12 feet tall and 2 1⁄2 feet wide. Slender upright grower with dark green foliage.

2. Dwarf Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis') 2 plants set 6 feet apart; 10 feet tall and 3 feet across. Very slow-growing; irregular growth with fans of very dark foliage.

3. Montgomery blue spruce (Picea pungens 'D. H. Montgomery') 2 plants planted singly; 4 feet tall and wide. Compact globe-shaped plant with silver-blue needles; becomes broadly pyramidal at maturity.

4. Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Daub's Frosted') 2 plants planted singly; 2 feet tall and 4 feet across; feathery foliage, bluish green in the center with new-growth tips of light gold.

5. Siberian carpet (Microbiota decussata) 2 plants planted singly; 12 inches tall and 4 to 5 feet across. Spreading with feathery, slightly bluish foliage; dark bronzy winter color; tolerates sun and shade; slow to establish.

6. Shore juniper (Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific') 1 plant; 1 foot tall and to 6 feet across; wide-spreading, trailing habit with soft texture and blue-green foliage. Excellent for tumbling over a wall or rock.


Garden plans courtesy of Country Living Gardener.

lllustration by Michelle Buchard

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