Hey everyone! I'm looking for some recommendations on bushes that I can plant around my property to improve privacy. I'm not very knowledgeable about plants, but I'm specifically searching for evergreen options that aren't invasive. I had considered Leylandii and cherry laurel, but I've read some concerning things about cherry laurel being both invasive and poisonous. While Leylandii has a fast growth rate, I want to avoid anything that could potentially grow to 20 meters tall due to maintenance issues. My property is 0.65 acres, with the nearest house being quite a distance away on the right side; to the left and back, there's a golf course, and the front is next to a fairly busy road. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Leylandii can be manageable if you keep them trimmed regularly. They'll grow to whatever height you maintain them at, which helps create that lush barrier you're after. Just remember that if you let them grow wild, they can become a hassle and won't grow back from the brown wood if you trim them too far down.
You might want to consider using red robin! It's evergreen and not invasive, plus it provides a nice dense look without being overly tall. Should fit well for privacy!

That's true! But even with regular trimming, Leylandii can spread quite a bit, so make sure you have enough space to manage them. It's not a simple fix if they expand too much.