Hello,
There is a spot in my garden that requires something for year-round privacy.
I was thinking of planting a cedar (as the spot has partial shade), either Ontario white or Emerald. There is already a mature (approx 4 inch stem) wisteria about 2 feet from where I need to plan the cedar. Would this be too close to the wisteria? And if so, could you suggest an alternative.
Thanks in advance for your help.
All the best,
Lesley
Hi
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners.
The Emerald and White cedars are great choices for privacy. They both are going to need more than 2 feet of space from the wisteria. The Northern white-cedar the larger of the two choices is a medium-sized tree, commonly 12 to 15 m (40 to 50 ft) tall and 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in) at maturity. In the right environment it can get taller and wider. The Emerald cedar. It can be kept at 1.5-1.8 meters (5 – 6 feet) or reach a height of 6 meters (20 feet) and have a spread of about 1.2 meters (4 feet). The Wisteria can be pruned heavily and kept at a desired height and growth not to interfere with the evergreens growth if you decide to go with the Emerald and White cedars.
A suggested minimum of 4 feet is recommended from the wisteria for any tree or shrub. If you are keeping the wisteria and do not want to keep pruning it to accommodate the evergreens I would suggest planting yews, there are several varieties and they can all be pruned or kept at the required distance.
The Toronto Master Gardener website provides information Privacy Hedges on the variety of Taxus.
July 1, 2021