Tall and narrow privacy plantings
I live in Raleigh, NC and am interested in planting trees/shrubs that will provide privacy, tall but narrow and non-ornamental of flowers/berries. Full sun available with
rainfall at a premium. A reasonably fast-growing tree/shrub would be great.
A mix of tall trees and lower-growing shrubs is best in a border area. If you don't want flowers or fruit, evergreen trees would narrow your choices but still provide you with privacy. Try Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica), Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) or pines (Pinus spp.). As to the shrubs, some medium-sized ones to plant in front of the trees are Glossy abelia (Abelia x grandiflora), Mahonia aquefolium (Oregon holly) and Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica).
