I would vote for Prague. Mine have stayed very full at the bottom whereas Alleghany tends to be leggier at maturity. The finer texture of Prague is (subjectively) more attractive. The blooms on both are much the same. The evergreen nature of both is handy for screening. Mine are growing under an oak and still have reasonable density in the shadiest areas.

Last winter, the coldest in 30 years, my young Prague never lost a single leaf while the much older Allegheny was completely defoliated.

i would tend to hesitate on planting a monoculture ... just in case some plague rolls thru ...

why not something non V for plant 2 and 4 ... in a line of 5????

ken

Great - so Prague it is. The aspect of fullness in the lower part of the shrub is something I didn't know and hadn't thought about -- but will be better I think. One further question -- how far apart is really appropriate? And please keep in mind this is for screening, especially above the fence.

Ken - this is a great point! And I think about that sometimes as I drive around my area and see how many Austrian Pines are diseased, dead or dying. But what might be a good addition or alternative that will get up to the 8-10+ ft range in height? I'm stumped. This is zone 5, KC area, with some pretty harsh cold winters sometimes....

Thanks!

I spaced mine @ 5' on centers and they are now a solid screen. Probably could have spaced them farther apart but 5' isn't too close in my book. Depends on how patient you are. ;o)

I had a large Prague that was completely annihilated.

My zone 5 is much different than yours though. I believe the coldest spot in KC and surrounding area is 5b.

Before it croaked it was one of my favorite viburnums. I replaced it with a hardier variety, Summer Reflection.

Thanks all! Yes - I do think 5b is pretty accurate for this area generally.