Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Fast-Growing Shrubs for Screening
Fast-Growing Shrubs for Screening. Landscape design incorporates solutions for problem areas with plants, trees and shrubs. Shrubs in landscape design add beauty and texture, and provide screening of unattractive views and areas. They are planted instead of installing a fence for a living barrier. They provide privacy, protection from wind and...
Landscape design incorporates solutions for problem areas with plants, trees and shrubs. Shrubs in landscape design add beauty and texture, and provide screening of unattractive views and areas. They are planted instead of installing a fence for a living barrier. They provide privacy, protection from wind and snow, and shelter and food for birds. To block an undesirable view or to grow a living privacy fence, fast-growing shrubs are preferable.
Fast-Growing Shrubs
Fast-growing shrubs fill out in one season and grow larger each year. Artemesia is an herbaceous perennial that reaches 4 to 6 feet by the second year and grows into a full, flowing shrub. Arborvitae, also called thuja, is an evergreen shrub with flat green foliage and a straight, upright growth habit. Arborvitae grows up to 20 feet high in a few years. Forsythia is a semi-woody shrub grown for its bright yellow early spring flowers. It has varieties that grow upright or in a low-spreading habit. Trumpet creeper is a perennial climbing flowering plant that grows very fast once it is mature. It will grow up to 30 feet from an established vine that is cut back to 1 foot tall. It needs something to support it while growing and is a good plant for arbors and pergolas.
As a Property Border
Fast-growing shrubs planted as a living fence or property border need little attention other than trimming once or twice per year and possibly an application of a mulch layer each fall. Take care not to plant border shrubs too close to the property line, leaving at least a foot or two in order to accommodate future growth and not crowd out neighboring property or gardens. Also be careful not to plant border hedge plants too close together to leave room for growth and avoid overcrowding.
Around Utility Areas
Shrubs planted around utility areas such as garbage can storage, garden sheds and central air units create attractive natural screens. Shrubs planted around utility areas require regular trimming to ensure access to frequently used areas and overgrowth. Fencing or trellising to back or support plants can make it easier to keep screening shrubs around utility areas neat and attractive.
On a Trellis
Some fast-growing shrubs such as trumpet creeper need support and grow well on a large trellis. Install a post and trellis in front of an area to be screened to support a climbing vine or herbaceous perennial shrub. Pin main branches of shrubs with a loose growth habit to a trellis for a manicured screen in the garden or landscape.
