I hate doing this, since I posted this in the Garden forum; but, with no responses, I'll throw it out for advice here:
Here's the deal: I have approximately 400 feet of road frontage that I would like to line with a shrub or tree for privacy. I only need the privacy in the summer (we're hiding the chicken tractors from Madame Code Enforcement Officer), so deciduous is definitely okay-in fact, I would prefer not to have any evergreens. I'm in zone 4 and the temps will go below freezing in the winter. It's a busy road, so the plants will be exposed to a substantial amount of road salt. The area is at the top of a sloping 5 acre field, which can get pretty windy. I would prefer to have something that will produce something usable, like maybe hydrangeas for wreaths or berries of some sort, but I'm more concerned about it being fast growing, easily maintained, relatively nice looking, and tall, 7 or 8 feet. What's the best option? We've considered tall grasses, those "Wall of China" hedges you see in the hokey bulb magazines, dwarf hydrangea trees, and even grapes on high-tensile wire fence; but, we're open to anything. Our plan is to fence the field with 4' mesh topped with barbed wire, so we would be open to planting a vine on it, provided it's not too invasive and grows fast. I will pay good money for larger, established plants if they're hardy or productive. If you were me, what would you choose?
Here's the deal: I have approximately 400 feet of road frontage that I would like to line with a shrub or tree for privacy. I only need the privacy in the summer (we're hiding the chicken tractors from Madame Code Enforcement Officer), so deciduous is definitely okay-in fact, I would prefer not to have any evergreens. I'm in zone 4 and the temps will go below freezing in the winter. It's a busy road, so the plants will be exposed to a substantial amount of road salt. The area is at the top of a sloping 5 acre field, which can get pretty windy. I would prefer to have something that will produce something usable, like maybe hydrangeas for wreaths or berries of some sort, but I'm more concerned about it being fast growing, easily maintained, relatively nice looking, and tall, 7 or 8 feet. What's the best option? We've considered tall grasses, those "Wall of China" hedges you see in the hokey bulb magazines, dwarf hydrangea trees, and even grapes on high-tensile wire fence; but, we're open to anything. Our plan is to fence the field with 4' mesh topped with barbed wire, so we would be open to planting a vine on it, provided it's not too invasive and grows fast. I will pay good money for larger, established plants if they're hardy or productive. If you were me, what would you choose?