Best Evergreen Options for a Privacy Fence?
Asked by G3rmanT3a
I'm on the hunt for some great evergreen options to use for a privacy fence. Two years ago, I planted Leyland Cypress, but I really regret that choice—they grew quickly but ended up falling over this winter due to the snow and wind. Now I'm considering 8-foot Emerald Green arborvitae from my local nursery for an instant privacy screen. Is that a good pick? I should mention that I have a black walnut tree close to the fence line, which has already taken out a few plants in the past. I've heard arborvitae can tolerate the toxicity of black walnuts, but I'd really appreciate others' opinions on this! By the way, we're in Zone 6b.
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I have a neighbor with Emerald Green arborvitae, but they're not problem-free. They've been battling bagworms for a while now. Personally, I’ve planted Green Giants and they’ve been great! No bagworm issues here, and deer don't snack on them either. There's also a smaller version called Baby Giant if you're concerned about height.
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For something a bit different, I really like cryptomeria japonica radicans (Japanese cedar). It grows quickly, has a beautiful natural cone shape, and its foliage turns a lovely rust and green in the fall and winter when the small pine cones appear. Check this out for more info on it!
G3rmanT3a: That sounds gorgeous! Thanks for sharing—I’ll definitely look more into cryptomeria!
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If you're dealing with limited space, consider looking into clumping bamboo varieties. They can offer great privacy and generally grow well without taking up too much room.
G3rmanT3a: Thanks for the tip about bamboo! I've heard good things about it for privacy too.
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G3rmanT3a: That’s super helpful! I didn't know about the bagworms. I might look into the Green Giants instead.