Screening Shrubs for Shady Areas
Do you have a view that you’d rather not see somewhere on your property? Maybe it’s a neighbor’s unattractive chain-link fence, or a too-close road. What if the area is also shady—what will survive there? Here are a few suggestions to create an evergreen screen to block unwanted views. As an added bonus, they are drought tolerant once established. Click the green text links for more information.
Similar in appearance to the yews are the False Yews. False yews have slightly coarser needles than true yews, and come in a few forms from prostrate to upright. The new spring growth is a beautiful, soft pale green emerging from the tips of the branches. For screening, rounded Cephalotaxus harringtoniana or upright C. ‘Fastigiata’ work best. Both reach 6-10 feet and grow slowly.