Fast growing plants to use as a privacy screen (recommendations)

[USMC88-93]

Had some Emerald Green Arborvitae, but the early freeze last year killed several. I am looking for a quick growing plant that when mature can function as a privacy screen as they grow taller and wider.

[thedave1164]

Bamboo, bamboo, bamboo.....

[USMC88-93]

Bamboo, bamboo, bamboo.....

That's like a virus in the plant world, but hey it is a suggestion...I'd consider it if I disliked the neighbor.

[kidicarus13]

Had some Emerald Green Arborvitae, but the early freeze last year killed several. I am looking for a quick growing plant that when mature can function as a privacy screen as they grow taller and wider.


Same thing happened to my Arborvitae last year. Subscribed.

[tmckay2]

Spartan junipers. Super drought resistant, very hardy, incredibly easy to prune to whatever shape you want. Can usually find like 4 or 5 foot tall ones at home depot or Walmart, often around $35. I have several, the first year they don't grow much but by year 3 or 4 they're about 6.5 to 7 feet tall and pretty wide. Every few years you have to prune them back into an oval shape as some branches with grow longer than others and get a little wild but unlike trees you don't have to be careful where you cut. Just snip snip all around it.

[Irving]

Black ivy. I cut mine to the ground every fall, and by next fall I'm cutting it out of the soffit again. Doesn't grow in South facing, full sun though.

[USMC88-93]

Black ivy. I cut mine to the ground every fall, and by next fall I'm cutting it out of the soffit again. Doesn't grow in South facing, full sun though.

Location is fence line between myself and neighbor to the south, in an east-west direction, a good portion of which is shaded by neighbors house... Fence line is about 6 feet from his house so plants will end up being 8 to 9 feet away from the North side of his house.

[USMC88-93]

I know the tree farm up north, but isn't there a larger tree sales place south of town, I'd swear Ive heard commercials for another place on the radio that might have some more mature plants to buy. I would prefer to buy some already in the 6-8 foot range but most regular retail typically only have 3 to 4 foot starter plants.

[SideShow Bob]

Elephant grass ?

[Great-Kazoo]

Pampas grass .

[Irving]

Have you checked out Ecters in Wheat Ridge?

[Hummer]

Buffalo berry, a Colorado native shrub related to Russian Olive. It's attractive, produces berries that attracts birds and has stiff thorns that no wannabe burglar will dare get through without injury. It can be both a privacy screen and a serious security barrier around windows and property lines.

If you have a few acres you can order it through the CO State Forest Service very cheap. I've planted hundreds of trees and shrubs by our house as wildlife shelter belt.

[USMC88-93]

Have you checked out Ecters in Wheat Ridge?

Do you mean the one on Garrison in Arvada? No I had not considered looking there as I was focused on more of a tree or evergreen shrub solution. Do they have larger plants.

[ChickNorris]

Ive always considered Emerald green Arborvitae a bi/tri- annual here in western Colorado - best suited as a patio screen & only longer lived in certain micro climates afforded by careful placement. Also, most stock available from the big box stores is shipped in from more temperate climates & hasnt been grown here, hence the high attrition rate come first winter that isn't considered mild. They look lovely no doubt, but aren't really suited for our Colorado extremes. However, I can probably help you procure replacements or alternates at wholesale. At minimum, I can offer suggestions if you'd like to go over other options best suited for your privacy goals though Im reluctant to volunteer shrubs based on the loc description alone. Lmk. Happy to help.

[Rucker61]

Choke cherries.

[earplug]

Slow down. Grapes, Kiwi or a Rose.

[Irving]

Do you mean the one on Garrison in Arvada? No I had not because considered looking there as I was focused on more of a tree or evergreen shrub solution.

It's been a while since I've been there. I want sure if they had starter trees/bushes, but figured they'd at least have a person who might know more if they don't.

[USMC88-93]

ChickNorris here is an aerial view of the shade in the winter presumably mid day between the houses and a horizontal line to indicate the area i want to plant. You can see the outline of the shade there is more sun there in summer months.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v651/PhotoTWB/screen.png?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/PhotoTWB/p/20aa14ee-1534-4f07-8746-7cae2d8218da)

[funkymonkey1111]

i'm in the same boat--i'd like something at least 12' that's thick. There a viburnum ("snow ball bush") hedge in my neighborhood that's around that height so I may give it a go

[USMC88-93]

i'm in the same boat--i'd like something at least 12' that's thick. There a viburnum ("snow ball bush") hedge in my neighborhood that's around that height so I may give it a go

That looses all its leaves in the winter though if it is the bush Im thinking of as described as "Snowball" but i may be thinking about another bush..

[Irving]

I've got a snowball bush. It's cool, but does loose all the leaves. We originally had lilac bushes along the back of our property, but they started dying and getting patchy after we moved in so I tore them all out and built a fence. They were tall and thick though. I bet that they were probably a few decades old as well, so they held up for a long time.

[asystejs]

+1 for Spartan Junipers

We planted over 100 of them on 250 feet of property line.
Ours started as 12 inch whips because we had to buy so many.
Put a drip line in and water them every few days, they will grow 12" a year.
Put in a double row if you want to guarantee a privacy screen

We ordered them on line at
https://www.evergreenplantnursery.com/
Every one of them lived

[BPTactical]

Man yall are slacking.
Its Colorado man, there is a naturally occurring plant that is quite prolific here.
Grows fast, bushy and hearty, may have entertaining side effects*








* Mountain Dew and Doritos not included.



[Coffee]

[SideShow Bob]

Man yall are slacking.
Its Colorado man, there is a naturally occurring plant that is quite prolific here.
Grows fast, bushy and hearty, may have entertaining side





* Mountain Dew and Doritos not included.



[Coffee]

Naw man.......

Strawberry soda & Cheetos....

[Seamonkey]

Saint Raphael Farms has a listing for their stock. In Elizabeth by Spring Valley Ranch golf course.
https://denver.craigslist.org/grd/d/parker-big-mature-austrian-and/7284141851.html

Another nursery in Franktown
https://denver.craigslist.org/grd/d/franktown-ponderosa-pines-colorado-blue/7300274198.html