Aug 18, 2017
The Vertical TrendBy Jasmina Dolce

Some homeowners may argue that their outdoor spaces are just as, if not more, important than their indoor spaces. After all, we use our backyards to entertain, to relax and even as a place to “staycation.”

As important as our outdoors have become, it’s increasingly important to create an environment appropriate for all these activities. With that environment comes privacy, and in comes the vertical trend.

Using plants to create a privacy screen is certainly nothing new, but I’ve noticed these vertical fixtures expanding from just boxwoods and yew. The vertical category is booming with options, and ornamental breeders are introducing new varieties each year to fulfill consumers’ needs for both privacy and beauty.

Homeowners are adding a variety of colors and textures to their privacy screens, as the options have become endless.

And if you’re looking for new options to add to your vertical arsenal, here are some new introductions on the market.

Panicum ‘Prairie Winds Totem Pole’
Proven Winners

This native cultivar provides cover for wildlife and is hardy to Zones 4 through 9. It is strictly upright  and narrow, and excellent for designing small spaces, hedges and windscreens.

Crapemyrtle ‘Black Diamond Lavender Lace’
J. Berry Nursery

This stunning new crapemyrtle features near-black foliage crowned with masses of vivid lavender blooms. It creates a colorful hedge or a beautiful specimen. Mature size is 10 feet tall by 8 inches wide.

Privet ‘Straight Talk’
Bailey Nurseries

Cold hardy and drought tolerant, ‘Straight Talk’ is easy to grow in a wide range of soils and tolerates urban conditions. It is only 2 feet wide and tightly upright. Flowers are white followed by black fruit.

Ipomoea ‘SolarTower Black’
Ball FloraPlant

SolarTower is the first self-climbing ipomoea. It climbs very quickly and is ideal for use with a trellis, as a topiary or on a vertical wall planting. Two colors are available: Black and Lime.

Are your customers requesting more vertical varieties? Are there certain ones that are more popular than others? Shoot me an email at [email protected], and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.

— Jasmina


Jasmina Dolce

Jasmina Dolce is managing editor of GPN magazine. She can be reached at [email protected].