Screening Shrubs

A question that I am often asked, whether it be a small residential project or a large commercial project, is: WHAT TALL PLANT CAN I USE TO SCREEN X, Y, or Z? Before I jump into my go-to’s, you should note it does not always (nor should it always), be a big ole’ plant. First, ask yourself what am I trying to screen and what is the best way to accomplish that? Trees, walls, vines, fences, and water features or green walls can all work to screen something. Some of those have the added benefits of sound attenuation, providing an overhead canopy, or making something beautiful instead of just covering something up almost as an after-thought. With all that said! Sometimes it works best to just have a nice, normal green shrub! Usually I am looking for something evergreen, drought tolerant once established, tall (8-10’ in height) and easily trimmed so it can be kept to the right height.

Okay, I will stop talking, here are a couple of my go-to’s:

Prunus caroliniana “Bright ‘n Tight” (Carolina Laurel)

This is a great shrub that requires regular watering in Southern California. It is evergreen with small white blossoms in the spring. This laurel variety grows at a moderate rate, reaching 8-10’ and about 6’ wide tall in 10 years or so.

Ligustrum japonicum ‘Texanum’ (Wax Leaf Privet)

This is a densely green shrub (also with some white flowers in the spring and summer) with waxy green leaves. It doesn’t get quite as tall as the laurel, reaching about 6-8’ tall, but is a good, reliable shrub. You will often see these in parking lots, they are pretty bullet proof. This privet also requires regular water and full sun.

Arbutus unedo ‘Compacta’ (Dwarf Strawberry Tree)

This strawberry tree stays around 10’ tall at maximum height and takes low water once established. It has great interest as it is an evergreen shrub with little pink/white flowers and red “berries” in the fall/winter. Deer don’t particularly care for it and it can handle a lot of soil conditions, coastal conditions and poor soil. A great shrub to try for your screening needs!

Podocarpus gracilior (Fern Pine)

This shrub is also a tree, so that should give you an idea of how tall this can actually get! It is an evergreen shrub with thin weeping looking leaves that takes regular water (does become pretty drought tolerant after it is established). I have seen the shrub version sometimes 25’ tall or more! It can be cut to your desired height and has a moderate growth rate.

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen' (Silver Sheen Kohuhu)

This is a fast growing shrub that has shiny, dainty leaves that glow in the light. It looks very graceful and beautiful if there is a light breeze and it has the added benefit of being a great screening shrub! While not as dense as the previous shrubs we looked at, I really like how tall this shrub gets (12-15’, 20’ tall with age) and still manages to let some light through. It takes regular watering to get established and can handle seaside conditions. I would consider giving it a little shade if you have extreme inland heat. I love this shrub!

Image Source: 1. Prunus c. 2. Ligustrum j. 3. Arbutus u. 4. Podocarpus g. 5. Pittosporum t.