When offering your clients year-round privacy in their Hudson Valley, NY, landscapes, evergreen shrubs are an ideal solution. These reliable plantings provide consistent coverage through all seasons, offering dense foliage that ensures beauty and seclusion. For landscape contractors looking to source quality shrubs that grow well in our area, choosing the right evergreen varieties is key to achieving lasting results. Here are seven evergreen shrubs that will create lush, year-round privacy hedges in your landscape projects.
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1. American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
A favorite among landscape professionals, American Arborvitae is well-suited for our area’s climate. This fast-growing evergreen shrub reaches heights of 15 to 20 feet, forming a dense, columnar structure that is perfect for privacy screens. With its rich green foliage that maintains vibrancy even in winter, it offers continuous coverage and thrives in full sun. You can easily space them to create tight, tall hedges, making them an excellent choice for spaces where height is needed.
2. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Eastern Red Cedar is another versatile option for creating privacy hedges. Known for its hardiness and adaptability, this evergreen shrub can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and withstand the colder winters typical of the region. Reaching up to 40 feet tall, this coniferous shrub forms a dense, pyramidal shape, making it ideal for blocking unwanted views. Its needle-like foliage turns a lovely bronze hue in colder weather, adding seasonal interest to the landscape while maintaining its privacy benefits.
3. Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)
If you’re looking for a more structured hedge with year-round appeal, Japanese Holly offers compact growth with dark green, glossy leaves. While it grows at a moderate pace, Japanese Holly can eventually reach heights of 10 to 15 feet. Its dense branching habit makes it an excellent choice for more formal privacy hedges or borders. This evergreen shrub thrives in our area's climate and is particularly popular for its ability to be shaped and pruned to meet the needs of specific designs.
4. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja ‘Green Giant’)
When rapid growth is a priority, Green Giant Arborvitae delivers. This hybrid shrub is prized for its fast growth, often adding 3 to 5 feet per year once established. Growing up to 30 to 50 feet tall, Green Giant Arborvitae forms a dense, pyramidal structure with vibrant, dark green foliage. It is highly resistant to common pests and diseases. It withstands harsh winter winds, making it an ideal option for contractors seeking to provide clients with long-lasting privacy in expansive landscapes.
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5. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Boxwood is an evergreen classic that offers a more compact, structured appearance, making it ideal for creating privacy hedges in smaller spaces or where a more formal look is desired. While Boxwood grows slower than other evergreens, its dense, year-round foliage provides reliable privacy. Reaching heights of up to 15 feet when fully mature, Boxwood is versatile enough to be pruned into various shapes. This flexibility allows contractors to adapt it to different design needs, making it a valuable addition to landscapes.
6. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus × leylandii)
Another fast-growing option, Leyland Cypress, is a top choice for contractors aiming to establish privacy screens quickly. With growth rates of 3 to 4 feet per year, this evergreen shrub can reach heights of 60 to 70 feet at maturity, creating an impenetrable barrier with its dense, feathery foliage. Its rapid growth and ability to form large privacy hedges make it a go-to for contractors working on projects requiring immediate coverage.
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