Looking for privacy plant/bush/tree advice

[momofmikey]

We currently have a 4 ft. chainlink fence in the backyard between our neighbors and ourselves. During the summer, when we're outside so much, I always wish we had more privacy. Our neighbors are nice, but I don't always feel like chatting, or having the boys stare over there to see what they're doing. My husband doesn't want to put up a different fence right now, b/c in our area, you need a permit for anything over 4ft, which I can't stand dealing with the town, plus it would be over $1,000 for the length that we'd need.

Soooo, I'm looking to purchase some sort of plant/tree/bush to give us some privacy. Along the fence, I already have some little trees that give us some privacy, but there's one area about 6-8 ft. wide that is totally bare, and of course, eyelevel to our patio set. Looking to spend maybe $200? Have absolutely no idea on plants at all, so that's why I was hoping you experts could help.

Thanks!

 

[mtblujeans]

I have been working on building up a row of lilac bushes between us and our neighbors.....but, they will serve a double purpose. One, to act as a wall in the summer and, two, in the hope of attracting bees as they will be near our garden. I have been buying a few at a time locally but you can buy a large amount from a catalog. They will be quite small and you would have to get started soon, I would think, so they would be rooted enough by the end of summer.

 

[mickeyfan2]

We put on Leyland Cypress trees. We spaced them 10 feet apart. They grow 5-7 feet per year until they get to 30 feet and then they slow way down. They are green all year and only about 7 feet wide. They will grow into each other and make a great screen and windbreak (what we use them for),

 

[momofmikey]

thanks for the quick relies. Mickeyfan, how much do trees like that cost?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Is it sun, shade, both? What direction does it face?
6-8ft is very easy to fill in.

I recommend you go to some local nurseries and see what is "in bloom" or leafed out already. I am not sure about your "zone".

Ex. Rose of Sharon/Hibiscus is a bad choice as it does not leaf out until July.

Cypress, Pine, American Holly are good choices for evergreens.

Viburnums, Burning Bush, etc... are good choices.

There are lots of choices. Happy planting!

 

[mickeyfan2]

thanks for the quick relies. Mickeyfan, how much do trees like that cost?

At a foot high they are about 10. At 4 foot high about 25. We started with 1 foot and by then end of the year they were taller than I.

 

[froglady]

Whatever you do, do not plant bamboo unless you want to keep it forever! The previous owners planted it, and when we decided to remove it, it was terrible.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Whatever you do, do not plant bamboo unless you want to keep it forever! The previous owners planted it, and when we decided to remove it, it was terrible.

There are two types of Bamboo - running and clumping. Running is the bad one and the only one that can grow in colder weather. Clumping bamboo is find.