| With the inability to plant directly into the earth, | | | | choose evergreen trees and shrubs appropriate |
| planters and pots offer an alternative growing | | | | to your local microclimate. I recommend doing a |
| medium. In cases such as an upstairs patio or a | | | | simple site survey to note factors such as: |
| small outdoor space, the use of decorative pots, | | | | prevailing wind and sun exposure. |
| combined with wood planters, allows for both | | | | What to use? The use of evergreen trees can be |
| functionality and décor. By choosing your plants | | | | especially useful if planted in large pots (over |
| carefully you will be able to create a long-lasting | | | | 20 diameter) and planted closely to create a |
| show of greenery and create needed elements | | | | hedgerow effect. Shrubs with small leaves like |
| such as screening unwanted views or softening a | | | | boxwood or myrtle can be useful for creating low |
| corner. | | | | privacy screens: to maintain their height, a nicely |
| Plants for Screening | | | | sharpened pair of hedge clippers is useful. |
| It is very common to use plants on the patio or | | | | An alternative to creating low shrub screening is |
| deck for the intention of screening. Screening can | | | | to use plants like ornamental grasses. A |
| be something as basic as hiding an unattractive | | | | particularly useful low growing Miscanthus |
| waste receptacle or adding privacy from a | | | | Adagio growing to about 2.5 to 3 feet tall |
| too-close neighboring home. | | | | can be very attractive. However, this grass is not |
| In these instances, you will want to consider the | | | | evergreen and will need to be cut back hard once |
| needed screening, height and width, and then | | | | a year (spring or fall) to re-grow fresh leaf blades. |