[ThomThumb]

Im looking to fill in a 75' section along the southern border of my property. While I can open up the area a little bit, the border remains quite shady. Unfortunately, Im getting conflicting information about what plants I should select.

One nursery states that the Thuja Negra would be great,
another the Leyland Cypress.

What are your experiences ?

[treedoc1]

Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis' Skip Laurel hides a mulltitude of problems and is highly light adaptable

[trees]

A little more info would be helpful.

For instance... how tall does this screen need to be? Where exactly are you located? How about mixing up the planting a little instead of one plant along 75'?

I'd stay away from the Leylands...

[Greensmith]

If it's very heavy shade I would stay away from conifers. Leylands, Arbs and pines are going to inevitably thin out in low light.

Skip laurels are good, and cheap for covering 75 worth of border.

[Forge]

in my experience, leylands survive quite well in shade, but grow insanely slow, which defeats the purpose of planting leylands IMO.

Assuming you are going for decent height from the two options you gave, you might think of Taxus. Not quite as fast, but yews tolerate lots of shade, and you get lots of red berry-like fruit.

[tom]

Skip laurels would make a fine choice. Just make sure the soil drains well.

[LandArts]

Check out the various Illiciums.

[Mark Oomkes]

Stay away from the Thuja if you have any deer as well.

[ThomThumb]

Im looking for a hedge height of between 6' and 8'. The shade comes from a various trees; a huge red oak, a red maple, an apple tree and several scrub birch(?). As I mentioned, I will be clearing out what I can, unfortunately, I cannot clear (or thin) out those on the far side of the property line.


I would like some variety in the area as a line of marching evergreens doesnt appeal to myself or my wife.

One nursery also suggested an evergreen in the cherry family that looks like a euonymous. I will look in my notes for the latin name.

[ThomThumb]

i forgot to mention that I live in the NorthEast (Long Island, NY).

[Greensmith]

Cherry laurels (skip laurels) probably. The Skip laurels get fruits that resemble cherries on them.

[schleng]

Does it have to be evergreen? Perhaps you could do a mix of evergreen plants, like Cherry Laurels, and mix them with some Viburnum. Viburnum dentatum will get to be a nice size, takes shade, flowers, and gets pretty Fall color.

You could do a group of approximately 5 Laurels on the ends, then a group of Viburnum, then repeat the Laurels. Or reverse it. If you have the room, you could add some perennials in certain areas at the front, or lower shrubs. Hydrangea if your wife likes flowers might be nice. Again it depends on the room you have, and be careful what you select if you have deer.

Susan