Upright Plants for Screens "Japanese Cedar" Cryptomeria japonica

    Lately, we have had many requests for screening plants.  The main need seems to stem from the need to mask new structures built in close proximity to folks homes.  Indeed, our area is growing by leaps and bounds.  Basically, there are two categories of screens.  The first category is the "distractive" screen where one can still see the area they are masking, but the eye is drawn to the beauty of the plantings.  The second category is the more drastic "total blockade" screen which completely hides the area on the back side of the screen.

    "Distractive" screens usually incorporate small flowering ornamental trees as a backdrop or foundation.  Lower growing plants of visual interest continue to produce a focal point which becomes the boundary.  In this circumstance, four seasons of visual interest are important.  You are probably working with deciduous plants for the bulk of your design.

    "Total blockade" is usually tall and broad evergreens spacing in a manner which will yield a solid screen within 3 or 4 years.  If you are blocking out a commercial property, parking lot, etc., you may proceed with "guns blazing".  If this is your immediate next door neighbor, I would suggest some diplomacy and mutual agreement regarding the screen.  Without discussion, one's neighbor might take offense at the blockade.

    "Distractive" screen clearly require personal choice and lengthy planning.  For this reason, I will only talk about some plants for the "total blockade".  A few choices are Leyland Cypress, Japanese Cedar, Arizona cypress, Needlepoint holly, and China Fir.  "Common Privet" (Amur) is a weed and Photina "Red Tip" is prone to bad outbreaks of a disease called "Entomosprium Leaf Spot".  Therefore, I do not recommend Privet or Red Tip for screens.

    "Leyland Cypress" (Cupressocyparis leylandii) is extremely popular because the plant grows 3 to 5 feet per year and yields a quick screen when planted on 6 foot centers.  Leylands should be purchased in containers as opposed to "Balled & Burlaped" plants, as Leylands do not tolerate transplant shock.  The rapid growth of the root system makes severing of the roots a traumatic experience for the plant.  Leylands will grow under almost any condition as long as they are not standing in water or competing with large trees.  There is some rumbling abut diseases of this plant, but our personal experience has been that they are fairly trouble free.  The other negative thing is that the Leyland is becoming overused because of its popularity, which is a problem some people find objectionable.  Leylands with a height of 24 inches were planted beside my mother's home in 1990 and they were 20 feet tall in 1995.  The foliage is quite attractive and this plant is the clear leader in screening popularity.

    "Japanese Cedar" (Cryptomeria japonica) is a narrow, conical evergreen with a very nice texture, growing to a height of 30 to 40 feet in a narrow cone shape.  The growth rate is not as fast as the leyland, but the spacing and requirements are similar.  This is an excellent choice as an option to Leylands if you're looking for something different.  The varieties "Yoshino" or "Ben Franklin" are good choices.

    "Arizona Cypress" (Cupressus arizonica) has a growth habit like that of the Japanese Cedar, but the color is a distinct blue.  The plant looks like a powder blue cedar.  If you are looking for a color other than green, this is a good selection.  It's all a matter of personal preference.  The varieties "Blue Ice" or "Carolina Sapphire" are good choices.

    "Needlepoint Holly" (Ilex cornuta "Needlepoint") is one of my favorite plants.  Unlike the previously mentioned plants, this Chinese holly has a maturity of 6 to 9 feet in height by 4 to 5 feet in diameter.  This is an example of using a hedge as a screen.  Unlike many of the prickly Chinese hollies, "Needlepoint" has one single spine at the tip of the leaf which is not terribly sharp, compared to some other "blood drawing" Chinese relatives.  This glossy plant has a heavy set of large red berries in the fall and winter.  As I said, one of my favorites.

    A new plant we have that shows promise is "China Fir" (Cunninghamia lanceolata).  The glossy needles are broad with a very sharp point.  The plant has a growth potential of 30 feet high by 10 feet wide in our colder climate, though it will probably grow twice that size in climates further South.  The China Fir is hardy from Zones 7 to 9 and requires some afternoon shade.  The foliage is unique and quite attractive.  "Step away from the routine".

    This is a small "smattering" of screening material as food for thought.  Have a great week.

                                                                                            Andy Lynn