LIVE IN HAMILTON. 300 FT WIDTH OF BACK YARD BACKING ONTO A GOLF COURSE. LOVE THE VIEW, JUST NEED TO STOP 15-20 GOLFERS OF FOOT TRAFFIC TO RECOVER BALLS (THEY ARE NOT TIGER WOODS!), PLUS GIVE SOME PRIVACY WHEN WE SIT ON THE BACK PATIO. WANT A FAST GROWING PRIVACY HEDGE/TREE. LOW MAINTENANCE, WAXY/VERY GREEN/PRETTY AND ELOQUENT – ANY SUGGESTIONS? i DON’T WANT TO LOSE DEPTH OF THE PROPERTY BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THE PROPERTY IS A TRIANGLE, THE PATIO TO EDGE (CENTER OF PICTURE) IS JUST 40 FEET) – JUST WANT THE HEIGHT (6-8 FT MINIMUM BUT NOT A SKY SCRAPER) . I DON’T MIND OCCASIONAL MAINTENANCEI DON’T WANT TO BE TRIMMING HEDGES EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS. WINTER WIND IS STRONG IN THIS AREA. THE PROPERTY IS 3 ACRES. THE BACK SIDE IS THE LONGEST SIDE OF A TRIANGLE WHICH NEEDS SOME “PRIVACY” PROTECTION. cURRENTLY THERE ARE 4 LARGE (CONIFERS – 70FT?) WHICH STAY BECAUSE THEY BLOCK ROGUE GOLF BALLS… BUT THE BASE OF THEM IS WIDE OPEN AND HENCE OUR PRIVACY IS EXPOSED. SOIL IS GOOD QUALITY FOR ~ 180FT… TO THE RIGHT OF THE PROPERTY, THE CONIFERS MAY BE NUTRIENT HOGS! TIRED OF THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD…SUGGESTION?
Thank you for your question.
We receive lots of questions about privacy hedges. Evergreens are a common option but most grow taller than you are seeking.
You might want to consider one of the following Yew (Taxus) cultivars:
Taxus spp. (Yew) is hardy to Zone 4. Will tolerate shade or sun.
Cultivars
T. x media ‘Hicksii’ height 2.5m, spread 1 m. Upright columnar form, dark green foliage with inedible red berries
T. x media ‘Densiformis’ height 2 m. A slow growing compact cultivar ideal for low hedge
T. cuspidata ‘Aurescens’ height/spread to 1.5m. Green needles with bright gold tips, plant in full sun for best color.
Or, you could opt for a deciduous hedge using such ornamental shrubs as barberry (Berberis thunbergii), burning bush (Euonymus alatus), lilac (Syringa) or Dwarf Korean Lilac (Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’), bridal wreath spirea (Spiraea vanhoutte), red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea), or Weigela, to name just a few that would fit within your space preferences.
For many more suggestions and a complete guide for looking after these lovely shrubs Toronto Master Gardeners has a Gardening Guide: Ornamental Shrubs for Various Light Conditions
Finally, you may also wish to take a look at our Gardening Guide about hedging. This guide explains the various types of evergreens, their growth rates and planting and maintenance tips. You can find this guide on our Master Gardener website: (torontomastergardeners.ca) under Resources and click on Trees & Shrubs in the Gardening Guide section.
Good luck with your privacy hedge.