View-Blocking Hedge Plants

Evergreen Trees

• American holly (Ilex opaca) is a small evergreen tree used for landscaping features such as hedges. This 15- to 30-foot-tall tree has a dense pyramid formation that acts as a tall screen. American holly has 1-½- to 3 ½-inch-long dark green leaves and blossoms in June with small white flowers. Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) is a rapid-growing tree that gains 3 to 4 feet annually. This large evergreen reaches heights of 60 to 70 feet with a spread of 12 to 20 feet in width. Landscapers use the Leyland cypress for quick-growing hedges.

Deciduous Trees

• European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a 50- to 60-foot deciduous tree. The foliage consists of shiny deep green leaves with a reddish tint. During the fall, the leaves change to a red-bronze hue. The European beech has a span of 50 feet, with a broad pyramid configuration, and requires heavy pruning when used as a hedge. European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a slow rate of growth. This 40- to 60-foot tall tree has a spread of 30 to 40 feet. The leaves of the European hornbeam are a dark green with toothed edges that turn yellow in the autumn.

Evergreen Shrubs

• Cherry laurel (Prunus carolinana) is a fast-growing large shrub that grows to heights of 25 to 30 feet and a span of 18 to 20 feet. During the early spring, the cherry laurel blossoms with long clusters of tiny white flowers. Landscapers use this evergreen shrub as a tall, narrow hedge. Sylvesia juniper (Juniperus sylvestris) is a 15- to 20-foot-tall shrub with a width of 5 feet. This evergreen shrub has a medium to slow growth rate and forms tall, dense hedges when planted in close proximity with similar species. Sylvesia juniper requires full sun and well-draining soil.

Deciduous Shrubs

• Amur privet (Ligustrum amurense) is a medium-sized shrub with simple dull green leaves in opposite formations. This deciduous plant grows to heights of 12 to 15 feet with a spread equal to the height. Amur privet has no fall color; however, in late May, fragrant white terminal panicles develop on the shrub. Gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa) is medium-sized shrub from the Cornaceae plant family. This deciduous shrub is 10 to 15 feet in height with an equal spread. The dull-gray leaves are 2 to 4 inches in length and turn reddish-purple in the fall. During June, multiple clusters of creamy white blossoms flourish on the gray dogwood.