Gardening with Allen: Choose evergreens for privacy

We have moved to a condominium with no yard for landscaping. However, we have a large deck where we can grow plants in containers. We would like to plant a few small trees and shrubs to give us some privacy from our neighbors. Could you suggest some trees and shrubs that would grow at least 6 or 7 feet tall that will grow well in containers?

There is actually quite a large range of trees and shrubs that will do well in 7- to 10- gallon or larger containers. You might also consider planter boxes, which could be used for a mixture of trees, shrubs and smaller plants.

Since you want plants that can give you a screen year-round, you will probably want to plant mostly evergreens, which will have leaves through the winter. You also may want to choose some deciduous plants for variety. Lace-leaf Japanese maples can be quite attractive in containers. Many specialized varieties are available that grow to a range of sizes.

Plants in containers do not grow as large as when planted in the ground because of a more limited root system. You can actually prune the roots periodically if you use containers larger at the top than bottom so roots slide out easily. That way you can maintain them at whatever maximum size you choose.

A number of conifers or needle-leaf evergreens are suitable for containers. Choose varieties that mature at less than 20 feet. This would include many varieties of upright junipers, and dwarf forms of arborvitae, spruce, fir, hemlock, cypress and cedar. Weeping forms and dwarf shrub forms are available. One of my favorites is mountain hemlock, which can usually be purchased in 6-foot size. Hinoki false cypress is available in a variety of sizes.

Cherry laurels are evergreen broadleaf shrubs that are excellent for screening. Carolina cherry laurel has dense growth for complete screening. Schipka cherry laurel has a little looser growth and prefers lightly shaded locations. Both have fragrant, showy, white flowers. They are usually available in larger sizes to give immediate effect.

Otto Luyken is a dwarf variety of English laurel that is widely used for hedges.

Boxwood shrubs are excellent for screening and are available in a variety of sizes. Two other shrubs are used as a substitute for boxwood. Box honeysuckle and Japanese holly are very similar to boxwood but superior for long term dependability.

Several upright Pyracanthas would fit the size range you need. Mohave and Victory have bright red berries and Yukon Belle has light orange berries. All have fragrant flowers.

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