Evergreen Tree Borders

Thuja

• Thuja is a genus of coniferous trees in the cypress family Cupressaceae. One of the fastest growing evergreen trees, thuja presents rich, green, scalelike foliage that remains green year-around. Thuja exhibits cones in the fall that first appear green, then turn to a deep brown in autumn. Thuja is used as fencing, privacy screen and windbreaks. When spaced 4 to 5 feet apart, thuja forms a dense, impenetrable hedge. Thuja trees maintain their regal shape and bearing without pruning. The hardy shrub grows to heights of 30 to 60 feet at maturity.

Norway Spruce

• Norway spruce is a fast growing spruce, presenting thick, draping foliage. The rich green branches grow close together, from the ground to the tip of the top. It is one of the best trees available to plant for windbreaks, fences, privacy screen or background interest. Norway spruce thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 8. For privacy screening and windbreaks, plant young trees 6 to 8 feet apart.

  Blue spruces are slow growing, but worth the investment of time. At maturity they can reach heights in excess of 200 feet. The bluish-green coloration of the foliage is a striking contrast in snow.

Boxwood

• Boxwood is ideally suited to borders, foundation plantings, edging and fencing. There are many different varieties of boxwood, both slow and fast growing, short, tall and variegated. Boxwood can be pruned to maintain height, shape and growing pattern. The hardy evergreen is disease and drought resistant, tolerant of poor soil conditions and forms dense, impenetrable fences and borders when planted 2 to 3 feet apart. Over 30 different varieties of boxwood are used in landscape design. Varieties include tall, dwarf, variegated, fast-growing and slow-growing shrubs.

Juniper

• A thick planting of juniper provides a softening transition from forest to field, offering food and wildlife habitat. Junipers present deep green foliage all year long. The berries attract songbirds. Juniperus chinensis "Blue Point" thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 5 and grows to a height of 4 to 6 feet. Plant them 3 to 4 feet apart. Columnar hetzi juniper, Juniperus chinensis "Hetzi Columnaris," reaches heights of 25 to 30 feet tall at maturity. Space plantings from 6 to 8 feet apart.