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Nearly every property has a road, driveway, or patio somewhere on its acreage that would be more tranquil if it had some sort of screening to shelter it from noise and/or distraction. Certainly, a fence could be constructed. But a privacy hedge composed of shrubs might be a much more comely and eco-friendly solution, providing nesting places and shelter for birds as well as delineating a haven for humans. Tim Wood of Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, Michigan has been a strong advocate for planting shrubs to serve as privacy hedges. His "solution shrubs" are sometimes deciduous and more often evergreen. Or, he often advocates combining shrubs of many textures and attributes to form a "tapestry hedge," heightening interest and furnishing diversity. Before selecting an appropriate shrub or combination of shrubs, he suggests researching the woody plants' ultimate mature dimensions, keeping in mind that width will be an important factor. Knowing a shrub's mature width will keep it from encroaching on a neighbor's turf or a road's domain. When planting close to the road, consider selecting trees that are impervious to road salt and salt substitutes. In most areas, deer-proof shrubs are also preferable. Some shrubs that perform well as privacy hedges include:Chamaecyparis o. ‘Gracilis Compacta' Special thanks: Prides Corner Farm Wholesale Nursery Sylvan Nursery, Inc.
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