Native Plants
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Wednesday - October 27, 2010
From: East Northport, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Shrubs with fragrant flowers for screening in NY
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
I'm trying to find a bush or shrub to screen my backyard and block noise. I want something I can plant along the fence that would get between 6 and 8 ft tall. Something neat, and if possible with fragrant flowers would be nice, but I don't want anything that drops a lot of berries or other mess.ANSWER:
You don't indicate what kind of growing conditions you have. Plant choices are limited by light (sun/shade), soil type and moisture, not to mention that ultimately you can only plant shrubs that are available in the local nurseries.
You can start your search for plants that will meet your needs and suit your situation by visiting our Native Plant database. If you scroll down on that page to Combination Search and select: New York, shrubs, 6-12 ft and the conditions that you have, a list of plants will be generated. Each plant on the list has a link to a detailed information page that will give you bloom and fragrance information.
It is unlikely that you will find the perfect plant. You may decide to forego fragrance for evergreen foliage or a tighter growth habit for better screening and noise control. Most plants that have wonderful flowers will also produce some mess, but if you choose an assortment of native plants, you will not only have a planting of easy care plants, but the flowers will likely atttract pollinators and the fruit & berries they do produce will be greatly appreciated by the birds. You don't mention how long the fence is that you would like to plant along. You may be able to plant a mixed shrub border that gives you some of everything.
Although we don't know what your conditions are, here are some selections from that list that may work for you (based on fragrance, not form or foliage)
Calycanthus floridus (Eastern sweetshrub)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush)
Clethra alnifolia (Coastal sweet pepperbush)
Lindera benzoin (Northern spicebush)
Rhododendron viscosum (Swamp azalea)
A few that do not have fragrant flowers but would be good screening plants are:
Cornus sericea (Redosier dogwood)
Morella pensylvanica (Northern bayberry)
Viburnum opulus var. americanum (American cranberry bush)
More Privacy Screening Questions
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April 14, 2013 - Can you please advise me of some plants for a privacy hedge that are non-toxic to dogs and that would thrive on Long Island, NY? I am looking for a hedge to grow to about 6-8 ft.
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Evergreen screen for Michigan
June 15, 2009 - Hi Mr. Smarty Pants,
I need help.
Can you please suggest some (preferably evergreen) shrubs and trees that will thrive in our backyard that will provide us some privacy from our neighbors (about ...
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July 26, 2011 - Can you recommend a bamboo that I can plant, acting as a privacy screen, reaching at least 10'-12'? We are looking for a bamboo that does not spread, and can take the afternoon sun. It will be pla...
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New York State Shrubs to Screen Home from Traffic
March 11, 2010 - I am looking for a native New York bush/small tree which I can use along a road to screen my home from year-round car traffic. The area is not terribly wide and the soil is OK. I am willing to prune a...
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