Whether you are in a new development, or an established neighborhood, everybody needs something to look at other than blank house walls, wide spans of fence, and apartment buildings. The answer is a ‘screening strategy. Many different plants can make an effective screen.

LILACS FOR SCREENING

Proper screens borrow from the planting strategies to minimize wind and noise on farms and busy city streets respectively. There are many plants that can serve this purpose. For instance, Preston lilacs that are non-suckering can be planted very close to fences and trained to become mini-trees creating a beautiful ‘lollipop’ form – especially when in full bloom. This also eliminates any risk of a grafted form failing during an especially harsh winter. They can reach heights between 5 and 12 feet tall. French lilacs, such as Charles Joly work for a larger hedge. Charles Joly Lilac will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet.