[Pelican]

I have a client who would like a privacy border between her and her neighbor. It's a tough one for me to figure, the conditions are not the best.

The area is wooded pretty heavily so there isn't a lot of sun. We have an aggressive deer population that eat most evergreens. On the plus side this area is quite a distance from the house on the least used side so appearance isn't a real great concern.

Any suggestions?

[schleng]

If you have the room, how about American Holly? They'll take the shade and are evergreen. They are also deer resistant.

Susan

[Pelican]

Thanks for the suggestion. What kind of room are we talking?

[johnkeegan]

How high does she need the screening to be and does it need to be evergreen? And if the view is really annoying from multiple angles perhaps a cedar stockade fence (allowed to grey naturally) planted with various deciduous shrubs/ perennials/ vines/grasses etc. to soften it might work.
...And are those "American Holly" hardy in your area. I'm zone 5, I don't think they are and I don't see them in the local wholesaler's catalogues.

[Pelican]

Evergreen would be ideal, but I'm not too hopeful in finding something to fit the bill. We'd like the screening to be 6 to 8' high.

I haven't researched the plant suggested yet, you may be right. I have another client who used Japanese Elm as a border with success, but he's in full sun. Does anyone know if that would work in a mostly shaded area?

[NCSULandscaper]

how about doing a high tensile wire fence with ivy growing on it, make it 6 or 8 strands 8' tall with some 6x6 posts

[Pelican]

Thanks NCSULandscaper, that is something the client and I have discussed and is our fall back if I'm unable to find something else. Any suggestions on the type of vine?

[johnkeegan]

I'm not so sure ivy is deer resistant.
Is it full shade? morning sun? filitered sun? afternoon sun?
I would say that Norway spruce are "somewhat" shade-resistant. They'll thin out as time goes on but if planted in a double row they may suffice. Also, trim up lower branches on surrounding trees as much as possible.

[TrickyDick]

Don't know if these will be big enough fast enough but Pieris japonica and Ilex glabra like shade and deer tend to leave them alone around here. You could plant some Thuja plicata if there room for height with one of those to cover the lower part that the deer will eat. Or you could do a thick planting of something deciduous like Viburnum dentatum or Ilex decidua.

[Pelican]

I'll be at the job tomorrow and will track the sun condition but I'm guessing it will be filtered at best.

TrickyDick, I'll take a look at your suggetsions tomorrow, thanks

[scaper27]

I like the Holly idea. Also Boxwood would be good, maybe mix a few diffrent trees and bushes , unless you are looking for a formal hedge.

Holly, Boxwood, Juniper, Spruce, Andromeda, Skip Laurel, are all deer resistant.

I think the Holly will be the best for deer resistant and shady area.

[schleng]

I suggested the American Holly without knowing height or space requirements. They are large, getting to be 25 to 50' tall and 15 to 25' wide (over a long period of time, of course). Their zone is 5B-9A. They are deer resistant.

If these are too large, or if you are not in zone 5B, you might consider the shrub form. There are many varieties, but 'Blue Princess' might work well for you. They get 8 to 10' tall and 4 to 8' wide. I think that's pushing it a bit...that will take awhile). Their zone is 4B to 8A. Add one male, 'Blue Prince' for berry pollination. The berries are a great feature.

As far as the deer go, they might take a nibble, but will spit the leaves out, as they really don't like them. This has been my experience. To be sure, your clients should spray with a deer repellent.

Here's a link to the Rutgers plant info for deer resistance. This is great....I keep it on my toolbar. I already entered Holly for you.
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/deerresista...&submit=Search

[johnkeegan]

I can't comment on the American Holly as far as deer-resistance, I've never planted it here in upstate NY (zone 5) and have seen it very rarely (always in a VERY protected spot). But I wouldn't classify the standard hollies used around here (Meserveae, which includes the "Blue Girls/Princesses'/Maids" and male counterparts) as truly deer-resistant. They attack mine every year if not protected.
As far as hardiness, though, I can say that if you wait a few years I'm sure the hardiness zones will be adjusted, thanks to Global Warming. I figure I'll be zone 6 in 5 years if current weather changes continue. I'll have to start boning up on new species.