What do you use for privacy?

littlemommy1

I want to plant something along my chain-link fence in the backyard for privacy. I'd like to have something relatively low maintenance. 

 I'm in Zone 5, have good, fertile soil, and the area would be partially shaded by a locust tree.  What are your ideas?

~NB~

A vine.

http://www.northscaping.com/InfoZone/IS-0137/IS-0137.shtml

 

littlemommy1

I'm putting honeysuckle vines on my front porch, and clematis on my back. Not sure vines would be a good idea on a fence that we share with the neighbors, though.

~NB~

So, you're looking for a tall shrub?

RiverPlate

Do not use bamboo.  The previous owner of our house planted bamboo against the fence to seperate our yard from the neighbor's and I swear it has plans to take over the universe.

The_Jen626

I love my Arbor Vitaes for privacy.  I found a local nursery and they came and planted them for me too, it was dirt cheap, like $300 for 20 plants, including the labor of planting them.

I don't know where zone 5 is, and I'm too lazy to look, sorry, so...this might not be helpful for you at all.  Lol.

VanessaOSU

I ditto arborvitae but it will take a couple of years to fill in.  If you want something a bit quicker put up a lattice that is taller than the chain link fence and put any sort of vining flower and it should fill in within a year.

littlemommy1

~NB~:

So, you're looking for a tall shrub?

 

Yeah, a shrub would work better. That way I don't make any neighbors mad by my plants invading their yard.

  

 

~NB~

How tall & how wide?

mrsjordantodd

Leland cyprus. They grow very fast, you can buy them in different sizes and they are relatively low maintance. They grow wide and tall and stay green year long.

bridesmaid2BWed13757

I like leland cypress and also, believe it or not, privet - you don't have to make it all shrubby- they actually look pretty nice when they're planted spaced apart and they make beautiful white flowers.  oh and they are CHEAP

littlemommy1

bridesmaid2BWed13757:

I like leland cypress and also, believe it or not, privet - you don't have to make it all shrubby- they actually look pretty nice when they're planted spaced apart and they make beautiful white flowers.  oh and they are CHEAP

 I had no idea they flowered! I got a book from the Arbor Day Foundation and can get them for $1.99-with a minimum order of 25. It said they can grow up to 3 feet a year, so that'd be nice!