Elaeagnus for privacy? Zone 8a, Alabama.

[tara_wes]

I've been looking for a a type of bush or tree to grow along my property line and use as a privacy hedge. Everyone at the local nurseries suggested Elaeagnus. So I bought 7 plants in 3qt buckets to test out.

But what I wanted to ask was
- Does this plant make a good privacy screen?
-What distance should I space them apart?
-Any special pruning recommendations? Fertilizer?
-Any helpful tips or tricks? I'm new to gardening and i'm trying to learn as much as I can.
Thank you

 

[tara_wes]

Here is the plant, not sure of the species.

 

[patandchickens]

There are various Eleagnus species common in the garden trade -- however that one in your pic looks like the one my parents (outside of Philadelphia) had at the end of the porch 'since always'. I am stupidly blanking on the species name. Very fragrant flowers, useless almost-invisible-anyway berries, leaves kind of rough-feeling? Grows like STINK once it gets established (tho my parents' languished for probably 5 years before it really got going -- no idea if this is common) and needs a VIGOROUS pruning-back every time you turn around LOL.

If it is indeed the same species as theirs, I would say for a privacy screen/hedge you might want to plant them 5' apart if you want reasonably quick fill-in, or 8-10' apart if you want them happier at a mature size.

I wouldn't worry about pruning at this point, unless some are very leggy and need to be encouraged to bush out; but in a few years once they get rolling you will probably find them a good subject to take out the frustrations of your daily life on I would not generally suggest fertilizing newly planted shrubs, just make sure you are putting them in well-loosened soil if there is any question on the matter. And of course do the usual mulch-weed-and-water-carefully thing for the first year or two.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Collector]

Tara_Wes I have no info or advice about the bush. Just wanted to say welcome to TEG, glad you joined.