Recently my neighbor and I both removed trees and limbs in our backyards in central NJ, zone 6b). now theres very little privacy between us under the canopy of our border trees. Between the large tree on left and closest tree in group on right Id like to do something for privacy. My issue is that its shaded, deer heavy, and the shrubs would have to be evergreen. id also like them to grow quickly. Ive learned this combo doesnt really exist. My idea is, and i know its unpopular, english ivy. english ivy seems to be only cold hardy, evergreen, fast growing option i have. Though it's not deer resistant, but it's still top of my pros and cons list.

I know ivy grows well on buildings but what about a wire fence? I'm picturing potential possibilities of stand alone trellis' with some spacing between them, staked into ground. Also imagining cool idea of running wire from left tree to right 6ft tall and somehow connecting wire mesh from it to the ground. not having the mesh close to the trees so i can keep i away from them (picture an apron tied to two posts).

anyway, been going crazy over this because particularly now as leaves fall, as i took this picture for this forum i thought maybe they think i'm taking a pic of them.



Thanks for any help anyone can give

maybe some type of arborvitae, try FLUFFY, it gets 5-10 ft tall and wide. I don't know bout deer though, but I imagine they would prefer other things.

English ivy is not a twining or grasping vine, so it wouldn't do well for the ideas you had regarding it. It attaches itself to an object by rooting onto or into it, and would require a permanent rough surface, rather than any kind of mesh or wire.

Arborvitae is what comes to my mind also, as your best bet - and the more fragrant types might hold their own a little better against deer. If you could companion plant something that would help protect them against deer (with high fragrance, thorns, or that tasted bitter to them), perhaps you could enjoy the best of both worlds? That's what I'm hoping to do with my plantings.

Frillylily said: maybe some type of arborvitae, try FLUFFY, it gets 5-10 ft tall and wide. I don't know bout deer though, but I imagine they would prefer other things.

Arborvitae is what I'd go with also. You would have a full evergreen fence if planted the right distance apart for whichever one you choose, and you'll have a good selection of various heights to choose from.

Arborvitae comes to my mind as well. It grows fast, and you can plant a double row offset from each other. Or perhaps ornamental grass plants sort of making a second offset row. They have to be cut down in late Fall or early Spring, but they grow to full height super fast every year.

Just to add a different idea. Why not plant 6 photenia …then six Portugal Laurels…
And so on.. crosses the length needed . Every spring the red photinia leaves grow out along with fluffy pink flowers. Then on the Laurel shrubs lots of white white blooms.
Pic shows photinia and Laurel planted as a screen across the front of the property .