I am new to the group and know little if anything about proper gardening techniques.

I am buying a new home and want to line the front, rear and sides of my property with some sort of bushes and fence/privacy trees.

I am thinking some sort of FAST growing trees on the front and sides, mixing with some kind of flowering? or at least, pretty shrubs? The front of the property is 356 feet long and the sides are 158 feet long.

I would also like to plant some kind of shrubs. I am guessing something that would spread out like a hedge and be pruned to a max. height of 6 foot.

Of course, I would like theme ALL to be the absolute fastest growing so that we could enjoy the screening effects ASAP!

The plants should be simple enough for a non-garndener to maintian (ME!) and rugged enough for the cold & snowy Kalamazoo Michigan area Winters.

'Pretty' is nice but, the screening or privacy effect is most important as this property is on a well travelled road. Lowest possible cost (since I have a LOT of land to cover) is also a consideration.

Any suggestions would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

Thanks!

Having lived in Chicago for 20+ years prior to moving to Seattle, I have a little experience with the intensity of Midwest weather - I am thinking that a fence might be the best answer to your obvious urgency - you could soften a fence with intemittient plantings.

I would consult with a local nursery growing his own stock. (that can be very important when planting in the midwest - California plants just can't hack it).

The facts of life are thsi: nature just can't be hurried - you can "install" large plants for $$$ but the chance they will die is pretty great. You can ask for "very fast" growing - but you are also asking that the plant essentially stop growing at teh height you desire...and then to stay there for 20 or 30 years - that is a kind of contrary set of qualities to ask for in a plant. - they just doin't usually evlove that way in nature.

I think in the long run you will want a type of cedar - but they do require pruuning - although folks do attack them with those electric shears, the resluts over time are less than satisfactory - and a cedar has to be able to hold up in under serious snow...

well, I don;t have a real answer for you...good luck!