If you’re interested in planting a dense hedge around your property, here are some great choices: Crepe myrtle, Amur maple, and Leyland cypress. These trees can grow to a height of 20 feet and have foliage that varies from blue-gray to glossy green. Juniper ‘Sky Rocket’ can grow up to 20 feet tall and wide. Its foliage also has a blue-gray undertone.
Amur maple
The Amur maple is an excellent choice for privacy in the backyard. This tree is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones two through eight, meaning that it is suitable for growing in Texas. Its wide growing range allows it to thrive in a variety of soil conditions. The best time to plant your Amur maple hedge is during the fall. However, you should avoid planting it too early, as it will set it back significantly.
The Amur maple is a small tree native to China, Japan, and Manchuria. It has long been popular in U.S. suburbs, particularly in the Midwest and Eastern states. The tree is also slowly being introduced in the mid-South. It is hardy in USDA zones six and seven, but extreme summer heat may restrict its use. However, the benefits of growing the Amur maple in Texas are well worth the price tag.
The Amur maple is also relatively resistant to insect infestation. It can resist aphids, although they can be red, green, or black. If you notice yellowing, distorted leaves, or leaf drop, you should treat the plant with an insecticide or a natural enemy of the pests. Amur maple hedges can be trimmed to a desired height and shape. Likewise, the boxelder maple is a wide-spreading tree, extending from Mexico into Canada and from the east coast to the west coast of the US.
Crepe myrtle
The first step is to purchase a pot for your crepe myrtle. Dig a hole twice the width of your plant’s pot. Use a long bladed knife to loosen the plant’s roots. Be careful not to encircle the root mass. Once you have removed the seedpods, new shoots will form with buds and a second bloom.
Another option is to plant annuals in your garden. These summer-blooming trees are beautiful and practical. Despite the hot, dry summers in Dallas-Fort Worth, you can still enjoy a lush landscape. Crepe Myrtles are an excellent choice because they bloom throughout the summer and have a long lifespan. They also look great in containers. The “a” in the Crape Myrtle name is pronounced “crape,” according to the Crape Myrtle Society of America.
You can choose between dwarf crepe myrtle and medium-sized varieties. Dwarf crepe myrtles can be planted in containers. They look great in foundation plantings and perennial beds. Crepe myrtles love sun, but over-pruning can cause them to develop a weak and unsightly appearance. Read the tag before purchasing your plant. If you have a limited space, a medium-sized Crepe Myrtle will grow as high as 30 feet.
Leyland cypress
When it comes to landscaping, choosing Leyland cypress plants for privacy can be an essential decision. Although their feathery texture and fast growth make them attractive, most people do not consider their eventual size. Luckily, they’re very low maintenance once they’re established. Just remember to give them a good drink of water every week during times of drought or high heat. Otherwise, the resulting brown patches could be unsightly.
If you’re looking for a privacy tree that will grow to be at least 50 feet tall and twenty to twenty feet wide, Leyland cypress is one of the best choices. Because they can reach this height and spread, they can be planted in rows six to ten feet apart. You can also try Thuja Green Giants or other privacy trees. These plants are suitable for areas where they’ll get some full sun, but not full shade. Plant them in staggered rows, and be sure to choose the right soil and climate.
Since Leyland cypress trees are sterile, they’re propagated through cuttings. Cuttings taken from young trees or new shoot growth on older trees are most likely to root. It is best to cut a branch during the months of January, February, or March to increase the chance of rooting successfully. Make sure to choose a branch that’s six to eight inches in diameter with some brown coloration on its lower part.
English ivy
English ivy has a history of spreading by rooting itself along the ground. It grows as a thick mat four to eight inches high. Its rootlets are shallow and can climb any surface, making it one of the best plants for privacy in Texas. It is also known to enshroud entire trees, shading out their leaves and causing them to die from lack of photosynthesis.
Another popular plant for privacy is English ivy. It’s a great choice for Texas as it’s easy to grow, hardy, and provides privacy year-round. This perennial vine will spread as it grows, and it will cover entire trees or expand to fill in space around a patio. It also doesn’t need much maintenance and can reach up to 10 feet.
You can cut back the plant to keep it in check. English ivy is susceptible to insect pests, and you must be aware of their appearance to prevent them from encroaching on your property. English ivy needs to be trimmed annually to prevent bacterial leaf spot. You can also use Neem oil to prevent mites and other pests from destroying the plant.
Japanese Privet
The Japanese Privet is one of the most widely grown trees in the United States, and it has become an increasingly popular plant for privacy gardens. Its adaptability makes it an excellent choice for topiary gardens, and it can also act as a background plant that highlights other plants. When young, privets can be grown in sturdy containers. After a few years, they can be pruned to shape to fit the space they are growing in.
Because Japanese Privet is a fast-growing tree, it should be pruned to keep it smaller. It should be pruned in the spring, but can be pruned anytime of the year. Prune young trees upward to keep them at a manageable height. Prune the foliage from the top to ensure light reaches the lower branches. Prune Japanese Privet to achieve a formal appearance by pruning it to shape and height.
Japanese Privet is often used as a hedge. It has big clusters of purple berries that birds like to eat and scatter across the landscape. Tall fences cannot match the lush beauty of privacy plants. Choosing the best shrub or hedge to protect your property requires some planning, as there are so many varieties to choose from. However, it is well worth the effort and planning.
Japanese laurel
The Emerald Green arborvitae grows to about 12 to 15 feet. Its leaves are small and lustrous, and when they grow in clumps, they create a lustrous effect. However, you must be careful not to overwater the laurel. Watering it too much can kill the roots. Check the soil by gently digging around the base of the plant.
The native Texas mountain Laurel is a drought-tolerant, long-blooming shrub or small tree that is great for the privacy of a garden or property boundary. This evergreen shrub can be pruned to create a hedge or sculpted into a hedgerow for privacy. The Japanese Boxwood, a multi-trunked evergreen shrub, is another good choice. It grows slowly but grows quickly and will provide a tall privacy hedge in the right location.
Juniper ‘Sky Rocket’ is another good choice for Texas landscaping. This evergreen shrub grows to about 20 feet tall and stays three feet wide. The foliage is glossy and dark green. It is a nice plant, and it is native to Texas. If you’re looking for a smaller version, you can try the dwarf variety of Holly ‘Little Gem’. It grows slowly and will eventually reach 30 feet.
Chinese and Texas Pistache
There are two types of pistache trees: the Chinese and Texas Pistache. Both require regular pruning to maintain their compact growth habit. These trees can be grown in most soil types, but prefer sandy or clay soil. Both can withstand drought conditions, but young trees need extra attention. For the first year after planting, keep the Chinese Pistache tree well-watered. Watering too much can lead to root rot.
Pistache trees are great privacy plants. Both are drought and heat tolerant, with fall color varying from white to deep red. They can be purchased in late October or early November. Planting pistache trees is easiest during the fall, when the leaves are just beginning to turn. Make sure the location is in full sun and has space for future growth. Once planted, they will thrive.
The Chinese and Texas Pistache are excellent privacy plants. Both are non-native to Texas, but the Chinese Pistache is particularly good for the south. The Chinese Pistache produces fruit, but it is not edible. The fruit is also attractive to birds, and it grows at a rapid pace. In addition to privacy, the Texas Pistache is also drought-resistant, heat tolerant, and adaptable to poor soils.
