Plants have been used for centuries for hedges, screens and windbreaks in the home landscape. A wide range of plants can be utilized for this purpose depending on specific function in the design, desired ornamental features, local site conditions and cultural requirements.
Plants used for borders and screens serve several important design functions such as blocking undesirable views, separating areas in the yard, creating vistas, adding vertical dimension to an area, among others. In recent years increasing attention has been devoted to the function of environmental or climate control with plant materials. Properly located border or screen plants will buffer highway noise and dust, deflect wind currents away from home, cast shade in summer for cooling and allow sun penetration in winter for heating a structure.
Once the functional aspects have been determined, select plants that will be tolerant of your soil and exposure conditions. Then select those which offer aesthetic value during several seasons of the year. This information is available from Horticulture texts and Extension Service bulletins.
Always properly prepare the planting site, space plants at least one half their mature size apart, water during dry periods and control weeds, insects and diseases as needed.
Space limitations preclude lengthy lists,however, the plants listed below represent some of the major plant groups that can be used for borders, screens, hedges and wind-break purposes.
Borders and Screens:
Shrubs - Deciduous species Shrubs - Evergreen
Aronia Berberis (Barberry) P.J.M.
Berberis (Barberry) Hydrangea Taxus (Yew)
Buxus (Boxwood) Ligustrum (Privet) Thuja (Arborvitae)
Clethra Chamaecyparis Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
Cornus (Dogwood) Philadelphus (Mockorange)
Ilex (Holly) Rhamnus frangula (Buckthorn)
Cotoneaster divaricata (Spreading Cotoneaster) Juniper Ribes (Currant)
Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush) Rosa species (Rose)
Pyracantha coccinea (Firethorn) Spirea
Hibiscus syriacus (Shrub Althea) Rhododendron Viburnum
Trees - Deciduous species Trees- Evergreen
Acer (Maple) Chamaecyparis Fraxinus (Ash)
Betula (Birch) Ilex opaca (American Holly) Morus alba (White Mulberry)
Carpinus betulus (European Hornbeam) Picea (Spruce) Quercus (Oak)
Crartaegus (Hawthorn) Thuja occidentalis cultivars Salix (Willow)
Elaegnus angustifolia (Russian Olive) (Eastern Arborvitae) Tilia cordata (Littleleaf Linden)
Fagus (Beech) Tsuga canadensis (Canada Hemlock)
Gleditsia triacanthos cultivars (Honeylocust)
Windbreaks:
The most effective windbreaks are evergreens. However, since they grow slowly, fast growing deciduous plants are often planted in front of evergreens and should be removed as the evergreen matures.
Shrubs - Deciduous Shrubs - Evergreen
Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian Olive) Philadelphus (Mockorange)
Buxus sempervirens (Common Boxwood) Thuja orientalis (Eastern Arbotvitae)
Kolkwitzia amabilis (Beautybush) Vibernum Willowwood
Prunus laurocerasus (Laurel Cherry) Syringa (Lilac)
Ligustrum (Privit) Viburnum
Thuja occidentalis (Eastern Arborvitae)
Rhamus frangula (Buckhorn)
Trees - Deciduous species Trees - Evergreen
Acer (Maple) Juniper Pinus (Pine)
Carpinus betulus (European Hornbeam) Fagus (Beech)
Pica (Spruce) Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
Cornus mas (Cornelian Cherry Dogwood) Tulip Poplar Thuja (Arborvitae)
Thorny Barriers:
Trees and Shrubs with thorny stems, useful as more permanent barrier plants.
Shrubs Trees
Acanthopanax Crataegus (Hawthorn) Rosa (Shrub Roses)
Berberis (Barberry) Quercus (Oak)
Gleditsia triacanthos (Honeylocust) Tilia (Linden)
Chaenomeles (Flowering Quince) Ulmus (Elm)
Eleagnus (Autumn Olive) Amelanchier
Pyracantha (Firethorn)
Happy Gardening!
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