Property owners and abutters often want to escape into the backyard to take a break. When landscapes are wide open, even the courtesy of saying hello and briefly chatting with neighbors reduces the peaceful enjoyment of the property.
Homeowners who do not want to invest thousands of dollars to stare at blank wooden fences can plant shrub rows so their greenery overlaps. Once the plants mature to a reasonable level, the naturally enclosed space delivers privacy and noise reduction. There are a wide range of shrubs that can be leveraged to create living privacy walls. The following rank among the popular choices.
Azaleas: Providing superior flower colors and thick greenery, azaleas remain a top choice for developing a living privacy fence. Property owners can select evergreen or deciduous varieties ranging from 6-20 feet tall.
Boxwood: This evergreen shrub remains a favorite in manicured landscapes as well as living fences. Depending on the variety, Boxwoods can reach 6-20 feet tall and deliver robust density. They resist blights well and require little maintenance to thrive.
Lilacs: This deciduous shrub is highly touted for its brilliant blooms and rich fragrance. Some varieties reach heights of up to 15 feet and offer enough leaf density to deliver backyard privacy. Although they lose their leaves during cold weather months, the benefits of deploying lilacs generally make them an excellent living fence choice.
Maple Leaf Viburnum: These plants grow upwards of six feet tall and form thick hedgerows. White cluster flowers appear during warm weather months and the leaves transition to distinctively colorful foliage during autumn. Property owners gravitate toward this variety because it ranks among the lowest-maintenance options.
Privet Plants: Reaching upwards of 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide, these shrubs contrast dark green leaves with white seasonal blooms. Homeowners and landscaping professionals consider privet plants a valuable fencing asset that handles full sun and a wide range of soil conditions.
It's essential for homeowners to keep in mind landscaping assets, such as privacy shrubs, tend to be a sound investment. Shrubs help beautify the grounds and the fact this strategy enhances the peaceful enjoyment of being at home supports increased property values.
Kimberly Kelly decided to get her real estate license when she moved to South Orange with her family and fell in love with the classic, period homes of the area. Having worked in the city for many years for LexisNexis, Kim understands the appeal of an easy commute to NYC. That’s why she specializes in towns along the Mid-Town Direct train line, offering welcoming communities, good schools, and space to grow.
Very active in her children’s school PTA, Kim knows firsthand how important a school system is to parents looking to make the move to the ‘burbs. She volunteers with fairs, fundraising, and other activities that bolster support for education. Kim also believes involvement in the greater community enriches us all and has sat on various boards & associations throughout the years.
Kim Kelly has lived many places throughout her life, from Pennsylvania to Oregon, but has found New Jersey to be the ideal place to raise her family and put down roots. She loves nothing more than helping others discover their special place as well. Kim’s extensive knowledge of the area, combined with her sense of community, offers clients a personalized guide to finding the right house - and town - to call home.
