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Need quick suggestion for screen planting

Posted by sunbum Z7 Atl GA (My Page) on
Thu, Aug 25, 11 at 9:05

I know this is probably a common question, but I searched and didn't come up with just what I was looking for.

I need a screen plant;

-maybe 8 - 12' tall
-as 'skinny' as practical, maybe 4' across (diameter) +/-
-they will be planted along the border of the existing 'wooded' part of our lot, so mostly shaded.
-need to be 'cheap' 'cause I may need 100 or so plants
-prefer something with minimal maintenance requirements
-fast growing would be great

Leylands are the type of thing I'm looking for, but these don't need to be near that big and I'm not sure how Leylands do in the shade.

Is there a common (read that - inexpensive) tall, skinny Holly that does OK in the shade?

I read about Bamboo, which would be kind of unique. But, I don't want anything invasive and, again, the shade may be a problem.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Need quick suggestion for screen planting

check out the link .... look for screens ... or windbreaks .. and that is basically what you are looking for ...

plants in quantity are extremely cheap.. if you buy small... and this place offers such ...

also.. your local county extension office ... or soil conservation dist office.. might also offer said plants.. in the proper planting season ... small and cheap ... [a windbreak is soil conservation by definition] ...

what ever you decide.. diversify.. planting 100 of any single plant.. is asking for trouble.. somewhere down the line ... planting 33 of 3 types.. makes your original quandary of what to pick.. irrelevant.. lol .. some of each is the proper answer.. lol ..

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link


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RE: Need quick suggestion for screen planting

Thanks Ken. I'll check it out.

By the way, would you suggest alternating the varieties A,B,C,A,B,C etc or A,A,A...,B,B,B...,C,C,C...? Or does it matter?


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RE: Need quick suggestion for screen planting

Shade tolerant plants in Atlanta would be Carolina Cherry Laurel, japanese Aucuba and Canada hemlock - none of which really fit "skinny".

There are skinny hollies - Sky Pencil japanese holly - but hollies generally like sun not shade.

You have to consider what is the most limiting factor to you - and in this situation it would be shade. Put a skinny something that needs sun in shade and the plant will not do well and you will have wasted your time and money.

You may have to give up the concept of skinny.


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RE: Need quick suggestion for screen planting

Oh that first sentence should be that they DON'T fit the concept of skinny.


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