Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

"Privacy hedges" is a common topic of the questions that Mr. Smarty Plants receives, and he is going to take two approaches to help you solve your problem.

The first is to look at answers to previously answered questions. These may not fit your situation, but they include some plants that might you might consider for your location. Here's a couple about privacy hedges: #2926, and #3405.

Next, let's learn how to use our Native Plant Database. Click on the link, scroll down to the Recommended Species Lists Box. Clicking on the map will enlarge it so that you can click on West Virginia. This will give you a list of 122 commercially available native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in West Virginia.

Clicking on the name of each plant will bring up its NPIN page that has a description of the plant, its growth requirements, and photos in most cases. All of the plants listed aren't suitable for hedges, so you need to go to the "Narrow Your Search Box" at the right side of the screen. Once there, make the following selections: select West Virginia under State, select Shrub under Habit, and select Perennial under Duration. Check Sun under Light requirement, and Moist under Soil Moisture. Click on the Narrow your Search button and you will get a list of six plants. Unfortunately most of the flowering shrubs listed are deciduous, not evergreen.

A an evergreen plant on the list that is a consistent performer as a hedge is Wax myrtle Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle).

There are a couple of conifers that you might consider. One is  Eastern redcedar Juniperus virginiana (Eastern red cedar) This evergreen usually reaches a height of 30 - 40 ft. but can be pruned to form a hedge. There are dwarf varieties available that would make this easier. Contact UConn Plant Database or North Carolina State University.

Another conifer that can be used as a hedge is  Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae).  Again, there are dwarf varieties available. Also see daytonnursery.com.

Morella cerifera

Juniperus virginiana

Thuja occidentalis