Planting evergreens for a natural privacy fence

When choosing trees for your natural privacy fence, several aspects come into play, such as growth rate, density of foliage, and whether the tree is evergreen or deciduous. Garden design is not just about functionality, the space must also tell a story. Trees can imbue a garden with a sense of luxury and exclusivity. How they are integrated into the garden design can make all the difference. Consider combining taller trees with slender shrubs or ornamental grasses to add depth and structure to your garden.

Options include the evergreen bamboo-leaf oak and Sycopsis sinensis or Chinese sycopsis, a semi-evergreen shrub. Shingle oak, which holds its leaves in winter, is also a good choice. While English yew has a reputation for being slow-growing, it offers excellent privacy with its dense, evergreen spreading branches. Hornbeam is perfect for more formal gardens. It keeps its brown leaves in winter, offering additional privacy. The evergreen cultivar Quercus rhysophylla ‘Maya’ has glossy leaves and brick-red new growth, making it both an aesthetic and functional element.

If you are looking for an elegant addition to your garden, the evergreen Magnolia grandiflora produces large, fragrant flowers in summer. Spanish oak is fast-growing and versatile and therefore suitable for a hedge or as a solitary tree. Finally, Sequoia sempervirens ‘Winter Blue’ is a fast-growing evergreen conifer that is ideally suited for creating a tall, natural barrier.

Choosing and planting the right trees requires expert knowledge of soil types, light conditions, and the maintenance of these trees. But the current extreme weather also mean we need to rethink our gardens. That is why Ties van Lambalgen of Van den Berk is calling on garden designers and clients to take another closer look at native evergreen conifers. “As a nursery, we are focused on growing a diverse and appropriate range of trees that hold their green leaves well, even when temperatures fluctuate. Having a sustainable garden implies not choosing trees that need to be brought in from abroad. We also have to be very creative due to the current tree scarcity on the market. So don’t be afraid of combining different trees for the greatest biodiversity possible in your garden.”