Ideas For Privacy Hedges Using Shrubs In Delaware

Delaware’s climate and soils create both opportunities and constraints for creating effective privacy hedges. This article gives practical, site-specific guidance for homeowners, landscapers, and community groups who want a reliable, attractive, and legally minded hedge using shrubs suited to Delaware’s coastal plain, tidal influences, and inland conditions. Expect concrete plant recommendations, planting and maintenance schedules, spacing diagrams, and cost and timeline estimates so you can choose a solution that fits your property and your patience level.

Delaware growing context: climate, soils, and exposure

Delaware sits near USDA hardiness zones 6b to 7a, with hot, humid summers and mild to cold winters. Coastal areas are moderated by the Atlantic or Delaware Bay, but also face wind, salt spray, and sandy soils. Inland properties may have loamier soils with better moisture retention.
Soil pH tends to be slightly acidic in many sites–test before planting. Drainage varies: many coastal sites are sandy and fast-draining, while low-lying inland locations may be heavier and wetter. Deer browse is common across the state and must be considered when selecting species.
Choose shrubs based on:

• cold hardiness for zone 6b/7a,
• salt tolerance if near the coast,
• deer resistance where needed,
• and root behavior if planting near foundations or septic systems.

Key design principles for effective privacy hedges

Start with clear goals: height target, screening density, maintenance tolerance, timeline to full privacy, and wildlife value. Use these design rules:

• Match plant mature height to your privacy goal: 6-8 feet for fence-line privacy, 10-20+ feet for visual and sound screening.
• Use a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs if you want year-round screening combined with seasonal interest; evergreen cores provide winter screening.
• Layer heights and plant rows for faster filling and a more natural appearance.
• Diversify species to reduce the risk of losing the whole screen to a pest or disease.
• Consider salt spray, bed soil preparation, and wind exposure when selecting species.

Recommended shrubs for Delaware privacy hedges

Below is a list of shrubs that perform well in Delaware conditions, with concise notes on mature height, light needs, soil preference, salt tolerance, deer resistance, and maintenance level.

• Thuja ‘Green Giant’ (Thuja plicata x standishii)

Mature height: 30-40+ ft; spread 12-20 ft.
Light: full sun to partial shade.
Soil: adaptable, prefers well-drained.
Salt tolerance: moderate.
Deer resistance: fair (young growth can be browsed).
Notes: Fast-growing; plant 6-8 ft on center for a quick screen. Prune only to maintain width.

• American Holly (Ilex opaca) and Nellie R. Stevens Holly (Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’)

Mature height: American 15-30 ft; Nellie R. 15-25 ft.
Light: full sun to part shade.
Soil: acidic, well-drained.
Salt tolerance: American holly tolerates coastal sites better than many hollies.
Deer resistance: good.
Notes: Dense, spiny foliage gives good security; female plants produce berries (need male pollinator nearby).

• Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Mature height: 30-40+ ft.
Light: full sun.
Soil: very adaptable, including poor soils.
Salt tolerance: good.
Deer resistance: fair to good.
Notes: Narrow form available; excellent wind and salt tolerance; can be susceptible to cedar-apple rust in mixed plantings.

• Boxwood (Buxus spp.)

Mature height: 2-10 ft depending on cultivar.
Light: part sun to shade.
Soil: well-drained, slightly alkaline to neutral to slightly acidic.
Salt tolerance: low to moderate.
Deer resistance: variable; deer may browse them when hungry.
Notes: Ideal for formal clipped hedges and lower borders. Choose disease-resistant cultivars and avoid wet soils.

• Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra)

Mature height: 5-8 ft.
Light: full sun to part shade.
Soil: acid, moist to well-drained.
Salt tolerance: good.
Deer resistance: good.
Notes: Native evergreen holly with glossy foliage; great for coastal and rain gardens.

• Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Mature height: 8-15 ft.
Light: full sun to part shade.
Soil: adaptable.
Salt tolerance: moderate.
Deer resistance: poor to fair (some cultivars more resistant).
Notes: Fast and dense; can be invasive in some regions–check local ordinances and opt for sterile cultivars where invasiveness is a concern.

• Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum, V. prunifolium)

Mature height: 6-12 ft.
Light: sun to part shade.
Soil: adaptable.
Salt tolerance: moderate.
Deer resistance: variable (some species browsed).
Notes: Excellent for mixed native hedges; offer flowers and berries that support birds.

• Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Mature height: 10-20 ft depending on cultivar.
Light: shade tolerant.
Soil: well-drained.
Salt tolerance: low to moderate.
Deer resistance: moderate.
Notes: Rapid, dense evergreen; prune to manage height; avoid where soil is wet.

Planting and spacing plans with examples

Choose the planting layout based on how quickly you want privacy, how formal the hedge should be, and the site constraints.

• Single-row fast screen (quickest): plant fast-growing evergreens like Thuja ‘Green Giant’ or Leyland cypress 6-8 ft apart on center. This gives rapid coverage but is more monoculture prone to disease.
• Staggered double row (denser, more resilient): place two offset rows with 4-6 ft between rows and 6-8 ft spacing within each row. This uses slightly fewer plants than a dense single row and fills gaps sooner.
• Mixed native hedge (biodiversity focus): alternate evergreen inkberry or hollies with viburnums and native shrubs on a 6-8 ft spacing to balance year-round privacy and wildlife value.
• Formal clipped hedge: use boxwood or clipped privet at 2-3 ft spacing for low hedges of 2-5 ft tall. Regular trimming is required to maintain shape.

Example spacing values:
1. Thuja ‘Green Giant’ single row: 6-8 ft apart (for 8-10 ft mature height).
1. Nellie R. Stevens holly: 6-8 ft apart.
1. Mixed native hedge: 6-8 ft staggered, with individual species at center-to-center distances adjusted to their mature width (e.g., inkberry at 4-5 ft, viburnum at 6-8 ft).

Planting step-by-step (practical checklist)

Follow these steps for a high-success installation:

1. Test soil for pH, texture, and drainage before selecting species.
2. Mark the hedge line, call utility locators, and verify property boundaries.
3. Amend planting holes only as needed: dig holes 2x the root ball diameter, loosen backfill, but avoid over-amending the native soil which can create “bathtubs.”
4. Plant at the root flare level, not deeper. Backfill and tamp lightly to eliminate air pockets.
5. Mulch 2-3 inches over the root zone, leaving mulch pulled away from trunks.
6. Water deeply immediately and maintain consistent watering for the first 1-3 years: generally 1-2 inches per week, adjusted for rainfall.
7. Stake only tall singles in windy coastal spots; remove stakes after one season.
8. Apply a slow-release balanced fertilizer in spring for the first two years only if growth appears weak.
9. Prune at the appropriate time: formative pruning in late winter for most shrubs; avoid heavy pruning of spring bloomers until after they flower.

Maintenance and long-term care

Monitor for pests common in Delaware: scale insects, spider mites, bagworms, and fungal diseases in humid summers. Specific notes:

• For bagworms on arborvitae and juniper, handpick early-season larvae where possible; use targeted sprays if infestation is large.
• Ensure good air circulation for boxwoods and hollies to reduce fungal problems.
• Replace failed plants promptly to avoid gaps and opportunistic weed growth.
• Expect the first three years to be the most intensive for watering and formative pruning; after that, maintenance reduces to annual pruning and monitoring.
• Deer management: use repellents, physical barriers, or choose deer-resistant species if browsing is severe.

Cost, timeline, and expected results

Cost examples (approximate retail, 2024 estimates vary regionally):

• Thuja ‘Green Giant’ 6-7 ft: $40-100 each.
• Nellie R. Stevens holly 4-5 ft: $50-120 each.
• Boxwood 18-24 inch container: $30-80 each.
• Inkberry 1-3 gallon: $20-50 each.

Labor for professional installation often equals or exceeds plant costs; expect $10-25 per plant additional for small jobs or $5-15 per linear foot for larger hedge installs.
Timeline to screening:

• Fast evergreens (Thuja, Leyland) can provide substantial privacy within 2-5 years.
• Medium-growth hollies and viburnums: 4-8 years to full effect.
• Boxwoods and formal hedges: immediate visual structure but slow height gain; decades to reach large size.

Budget for maintenance: mulch refresh annually, occasional fertilizer, and pruning tools or contractor visits every 1-3 years.

Legal and neighbor considerations

Before planting directly on or near a property line:

• Confirm your property boundaries and local ordinances about sightlines for intersections, easements, and utility strips.
• Communicate with neighbors about mature height and root spread to avoid disputes.
• Avoid planting species with aggressive root systems near foundations, sewer lines, or septic systems.
• Check homeowners association rules for height and species restrictions.

Practical takeaways: choose, plant, and protect

• Choose species that match height goals, salt exposure, and deer pressure. Use natives where possible for resilience and wildlife benefit.
• Prefer mixed-species, staggered rows for long-term resilience rather than single-species monocultures.
• Plant in spring or early fall for best establishment in Delaware; ensure consistent first-year watering.
• Mulch properly, avoid over-fertilizing, and prune at appropriate times to maintain density and health.
• Budget realistically for plants and installation, and expect the first three years to require the most attention.

A well-designed privacy hedge in Delaware combines plant selection tailored to local exposures, thoughtful spacing and layering, and modest, consistent maintenance. With planning and the right shrubs, you can create a screen that delivers privacy, year-round structure, and ecological benefits for many years.