A filterable comparison database for choosing evergreen hedges, privacy screens, narrow boundary plants, windbreaks, and formal landscape dividers.

This database expands pine fern’s care, growth, spacing, and landscape characteristics into a broader decision tool covering 18 comparable screening plants. Data compiled from and expanded on this pine fern landscape guide.

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Database Properties

Create these properties in Notion:

Property Notion Type Purpose
Plant Title Common plant name
Botanical Name Text Scientific identification
Climate Group Multi-select Cold, Temperate, Mild, Warm, Coastal
USDA Zones Text Approximate outdoor hardiness
Maximum Height Number Sort plants by mature height
Maximum Spread Number Identify plants for narrow spaces
Growth Speed Select Slow, Moderate, Fast, Very Fast
Light Multi-select Full Sun, Partial Shade, Shade
Drought Tolerance Select Low, Moderate, High
Pruning Response Select Limited, Good, Excellent
Maintenance Select Low, Moderate, High
Best Use Multi-select Formal Hedge, Privacy Screen, Windbreak, Narrow Space, Coastal
Risk Flag Multi-select Toxic, Invasive, Disease Risk, Frost Risk, Oversized
Notes Text Main planning limitation

Evergreen Screen Comparison Database

Plant Botanical Name Climate / Zones Mature Height × Spread Growth Light Drought Pruning / Maintenance Best Fit Main Limitation
Pine fern / African fern pine Afrocarpus gracilior Warm; Zones 9–11 40–60 × 20–40 ft Fast in favourable conditions Full sun to partial shade Low to moderate Excellent response; moderate maintenance as a hedge Tall refined screen, formal hedge, specimen tree Becomes a large tree without pruning. Irrigation needs vary by climate, and fruit or foliage may create litter.
Shrubby podocarpus / Maki podocarpus Podocarpus macrophyllus var. maki Mild to warm; Zones 7–11 8–10 × 3–5 ft Slow Full sun to shade High once established Excellent; low to moderate Smaller pine-fern substitute, narrow hedge, topiary Dislikes wet soil; seeds are poisonous.
Green Giant arborvitae Thuja ‘Green Giant’ Temperate; Zones 5–8 40–60 × 12–18 ft Very fast, up to 3–4 ft yearly Full sun to partial shade Moderate Usually low Rapid tall screen, windbreak, noise buffer Quickly becomes oversized and does not tolerate salt exposure.
Emerald Green arborvitae Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ Cold to temperate; Zones 2–7 12–14 × 3–4 ft Slow to moderate Full sun to partial shade Low to moderate Good; low Narrow formal hedge, cold-climate boundary Can suffer winter burn and damage from heavy snow or ice.
Leyland cypress × Hesperotropsis leylandii Temperate to warm; Zones 6–10 60–70 × 10–15 ft Fast, up to 3 ft yearly when young Full sun Moderate Accepts pruning; moderate to high maintenance Rapid screen and windbreak where space is ample Disease-prone, shallow-rooted, potentially unstable, and often planted too close together.
Italian cypress Cupressus sempervirens Mild to warm; Zones 7–10 40–70 × 3–6 ft Moderate; faster when young Full sun High once established Limited pruning needed; low maintenance Extremely narrow screen, driveway planting, architectural accent Requires excellent drainage; canker and root rot may occur.
Skip cherry laurel Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’ Cold to mild; Zones 5b–9 10–15 × 5–7 ft Moderate to fast Full sun to partial shade Moderate Excellent response Dense hedge, shaded boundary, woodland screen Can become open near the base; leaves, seeds, and other plant parts should not be eaten.
Portuguese laurel Prunus lusitanica Temperate to mild; Zones 6–9 10–12 × 10–12 ft Slow to moderate Full sun to partial shade Moderate Excellent Formal hedge, rounded screen, traditional garden Develops slowly and needs sufficient width unless clipped regularly.
Sweet viburnum Viburnum odoratissimum Mild to warm; Zones 7–9 10–20 × 15–20 ft Moderate Full sun to partial shade Moderate once established Good; low if allowed room Broad privacy screen, flowering boundary, wildlife garden Requires considerable width and can become leggy when repeatedly over-pruned. It may be semi-evergreen near its cold limit.
Chindo viburnum Viburnum awabuki ‘Chindo’ Mild to warm; Zones 7b–9 10–12 × 6–8 ft Fast Full sun to partial shade High once established Good; moderate Dense mid-height screen, flowering privacy hedge Heavy pruning can reduce flowers and fruit; avoid removing more than one-third at once.
Japanese privet Ligustrum japonicum Mild to warm; Zones 7–10 6–12 × 5–6 ft Fast Full sun to partial shade High; also salt tolerant Excellent but high maintenance Tough urban or coastal hedge Invasive in some regions, produces toxic plant material, and may require frequent control.
Fraser photinia / Red tip photinia Photinia × fraseri Mild; Zones 7–9 10–15 × 10–15 ft Moderate to fast Full sun to partial shade Moderate Good; moderate Colourful evergreen screen, informal hedge Entomosporium leaf spot can cause serious defoliation in humid climates or crowded plantings.
Kōhūhū / Pittosporum Pittosporum tenuifolium Mild-temperate and coastal climates Common hedge forms 3–13 ft; species may reach 26 ft Moderate to fast Full sun to light shade High once established Excellent; low to moderate Coastal hedge, clipped screen, decorative foliage Cultivars vary greatly in size; exposed plants may suffer frost damage in colder locations.
Ebbing’s silverberry Elaeagnus × ebbingei Mild-temperate and coastal climates 8–13 × 8–13 ft Fast, around 1–2 ft yearly Full sun to shade High Excellent; low to moderate Coastal screen, exposed site, difficult dry location Can produce long untidy shoots; check local invasive-plant guidance before planting.
Japanese holly Ilex crenata Cold to temperate; Zones 5–8 5–10 × 5–8 ft Slow to moderate Full sun to partial shade Moderate once established Excellent; moderate Boxwood-style hedge, formal low or medium screen Prefers acidic drainage and may struggle in climates with hot, humid summers.
Sky Pencil Japanese holly Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ Temperate; Zones 6–8 4–10 × 1–3 ft Slow to moderate Full sun to partial shade Moderate once established Good; moderate Very narrow boundary, entrance, small garden Narrow branches may splay under snow or stress; performs poorly in some hot, humid climates.
Hicks yew Taxus × media ‘Hicksii’ Cold to temperate; Zones 4–7 12–20 × 8–12 ft Slow Full sun to heavy shade High once established Excellent; low Shaded evergreen screen, formal hedge, cold garden Requires excellent drainage and protection from exposed winter winds; most plant parts are poisonous.
Carolina cherry laurel Prunus caroliniana Mild to warm; Zones 7–10 15–35 × 15–20 ft Fast Full sun to partial shade High once established Excellent Rapid warm-climate screen, wildlife boundary, small evergreen tree Can self-seed or sucker; seeds and some other plant parts contain toxic compounds.

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