At first, it seems like there are lots of options to use for a plant privacy screen in the Asheville area. Of course, if price is no object then options open up quite a bit, but we like to stick with plants that are easy to find and are grown by local growers. We love the fancy evergreens from out west, but those are better suited for a visual specimen or three in your landscape. For function, affordability, and ease of growth, you want to stick with the tried and true evergreens.
The truth is that there are basically a handful of standard options to choose from, and once you know what size you are looking for, it narrows even further.
- Green Giant arborvitae- this one is the short answer if you don’t mind having a tall tree, 40′ or larger. Fast growing, low maintenance, and easy to find in lots of sizes. We have put out a row of these in heavy clay soil and not watered them at all, even the first year! Get Green Giant if you aren’t blocking a view, period.
- Emerald Green arborvitae- the second most popular tree for screening. These are very good plants, long lived, but slowwww growing. They reach 10-15′ over time and are denser than Giants.
- North Pole arborvitae- a Proven Winners introduction that’s very similar in size to the Emerald. After a couple of years watching these grow we are convinced that they are a superior plant and faster growing, even in some shade. Get these if you can find them and if your budget allows, PW plants are a bit more expensive.
- Nelly R. Stevens holly- this is the best holly for screening in WNC, and a good choice if you want something a little taller and a lot wider than Emerald Greens or North Pole. They are also good if you want to control the height and create a hedge, something we don’t recommend doing with the conifers. 15′ high by 10′ wide. Produces red berries as will.
- Steeds holly- this Japanese holly is a good option for a medium high hedge, growing to 8’ish. Berries are black on the Japanese hollies, so aren’t noticed much.
So if you are planning a screening project, those five are the best to start with. If you can go with one of these options, you’ll have the best selection of sizes and quality to choose from at your local nurseries. Remember that plants don’t always listen to us, and will often keep growing past what the label says. Full sun is best, but some shade won’t be a problem, they just won’t grow quite as fast.
Don’t forget to fertilize to get the best out of them, and you might want to not listen to us and give them a drink now and then!