Suggestions wanted - screening a pool from the street

[soundgardeners]

The most likely location for our pool will be closer to the house than the street, but I would love any suggestions on how to screen a pool (and the pool fence).

I'm thinking plants, shrubs, etc., but I would also like to think out of the box about this too. It will be on a hill, so that might help.

Thanks,
Elsa

 

[alanpaul]

Hi, Elsa. I'm originally from B'more, now living on South Florida. Anyway, if you'd post a photo or two of the site, we'd be able to imagine with you, and also make suggestions. Thanks!

 

[soundgardeners]

Oh goodness, then everybody will see a true urban wilderness! I did take a couple of panoramic pictures - but tomorrow I'll take one from the street. Thanks for the quick reply!

Elsa

 

[YippeeSkippy]

cypress trees can be a great natural privacy fence particularly when buying the tallest ones you can afford and letting them take off. They come in a variety of shapes and widths (tall and narrow vs wide and fat) and don't lose their foliage.

 

[X-PertPool]

Arborvitae get crazy tall, are and good for privacy. Loop loc also makes privacy screens but I think the trees would look better.

 

[BoDarville]

Another vote for Arborvitae - evergreen and clean. No leaves to worry about. Another plant with similar characteristics is Italian Cypress (grows taller but thinner).

 

[connie]

A thuja tree would grow fast and furious. Very much like a pine but with soft needle like ferns.

They grow quite fast and fill in nicely.

Pictures here

https://www.google.com/search?q=thuja+t ... 94&bih=632

 

[Isaac-1]

I am not sure about your climate, but a few months ago I saw a very impressive privacy screen behind a pool made from a zig-zag arched line of sky pencil holly (spaced about 3-4 ft apart). The trees were probably 10 years old (guess as the house was built in the mid 1990's, and pool was added later), the trees stood about 20-25 feet tall and provided a wispy bush cover from the ground level up.

 

[soundgardeners]

Those are all interesting choices. My only concern about Leyland Cypress is I've heard they can blow over in the wind. Not that we get too many strong winds in Baltimore, but we've had our fair share of trees get knocked down in hurricanes.

I'll have to check tomorrow for more on Arborvitae and Thuja - which I think are the same. It looks like they are deer resistant, which is good, and it looks like the Green Giant variety might be wind resistant too.

I haven't heard of that type of holly, I'll definitely have to look that up and see if it can grow here.

Thanks for the great suggestions so far! I'll post a picture or two tomorrow.

Elsa

 

[soundgardeners]

OK, I'm going to try to attach these pictures. It's hard to show context, but the pool would be about 80 feet from the street, with the outdoor fireplace (which, like everything else, needs work!) being on at the end of the patio.

Between the deer, the heat, and the weird rain we've been having this summer - don't judge us on our unusual landscaping techniques Also, you can see we are going to make a tree company very happy.

I'll try to finish up a basic graph paper outline we're doing, because the pictures might be too confusing.

Thanks for all the help so far!!
Elsa

 

[techguy]

Do Photinia grow where you are at? It may be too cold there.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

The Baltimore county extension agent or service should be a great resource for all growing things in your specific area. Give them a call.

 

[soundgardeners]

I hadn't heard of Photinia before - but it grows in USDA zones 7-9. We're in zone 7B, so it looks like a great possibility!

YippeeSkippy - that's a great idea. I was looking at the native shrubs from the UMD extension service, but talking to them is a great idea.

 

[techguy]

Photinia grows fast here and can be hedged for a more formal look. I would expect them to grow to a five foot tall bush within a year or so. Even if they are iffy in your area, they may fill in while you grow something else that grows slower, but lasts longer.

Here are some other ideas.

http://www.sunset.com/garden/landscapin ... 000022053/