Privacy Screens

Most privacy screens in the Valley are a row of evergreen shrubs or narrow trees along a block wall or fence line.

Spacing sets how fast the screen closes. Purple Hopseed goes about 4 to 5 feet apart for a dense screen. Yellow Bells goes 6 to 8 feet apart, and Orange Jubilee 8 to 10 feet apart. Each plant page lists its spacing and has a calculator for how many you need.

A screen left in its natural shape needs much less trimming than a sheared hedge, and shearing a flowering shrub cuts off its flowers. For a clipped, formal look, pick a plant that takes shearing well, like Purple Hopseed.

Fall is the best time to plant, so roots can grow before summer. New plants need regular deep water through their first summer while they fill in.

What to look for

• Does it keep its leaves in winter? Evergreen plants screen all year.
• How wide does it get? For a narrow side yard, Italian Cypress and the Indian Laurel Ficus column stay about 3 to 5 feet wide.
• Is the spot against a hot west or south wall? Look for the Reflected heat badge.
• How cold does your yard get? Check the cold box on each page. Orange Jubilee and Yellow Bells can freeze back in a hard frost and regrow from the roots in spring.
• Does your HOA have a plant list? Screen plants like these are commonly allowed, but lists vary, so confirm with your HOA.