THIS IS WHY

@twinmomgardener

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SoundTikTok sound · original sound - twinmomgardener

Why it worked

The video provides practical, actionable advice on a common landscaping problem, offering a visually appealing and resilient alternative to a frequently used but potentially problematic solution. The use of clear examples and explanations makes the information accessible and valuable to a broad audience interested in gardening and home improvement.

Summary

The creator explains why planting a monoculture of Arborvitae for a privacy screen can be risky due to pests, diseases, or watering issues. They suggest using a mixed border screen with a variety of evergreens, deciduous plants, and perennials for a more interesting and resilient landscape that still provides privacy.

Structure

1Introduction to the problem with Arborvitae monoculture screens
2Explanation of the risks associated with monocultures
3Introduction of the mixed border screen as a solution
4Examples of plants for a mixed border screen
5Discussion of the benefits of mixed border screens
6Creator's personal garden example and concluding thoughts

Product placement

Arborvitae (thuja occidentalis) ACTS - used as a privacy screen, but the video argues against its use. Removing it would change the video's topic. Arizona Cypress ACTS - used as a privacy screen in the creator's garden. Removing it would change the video's topic. Junipers ACTS - suggested as an alternative for privacy screens. Removing it would change the video's topic. Native Pine Trees ACTS - mentioned as helpful for screening. Removing it would change the video's topic. Oak Trees ACTS - mentioned as helpful for screening, providing a dense canopy. Removing it would change the video's topic. Evergreen Azaleas and Rhododendrons ACTS - suggested as part of a mixed border screen. Removing them would change the video's topic. Camellias ACTS - suggested as part of a mixed border screen. Removing them would change the video's topic. Cryptomerias ACTS - suggested as part of a mixed border screen. Removing them would change the video's topic. Chamaecyparis ACTS - suggested as part of a mixed border screen. Removing them would change the video's topic. Boxwoods ACTS - suggested as part of a mixed border screen. Removing them would change the video's topic. Dogwood Shrubs ACTS - suggested as part of a mixed border screen. Removing them would change the video's topic. Viburnum ACTS - suggested as part of a mixed border screen. Removing it would change the video's topic. Chindo Viburnum ACTS - identified as a fast-growing evergreen shrub for screening. Removing it would change the video's topic. WilsonBrosGardens.com APPEARS - a website watermark on images of plants. Removing it would not change what happens in the video.

Original caption

Here’s why I avoid the arborvitae (thuja occidentalis) soldier row style privacy screen and what I recommend instead. A mixed border screen is not only better for ensuring your privacy screen survives, but it is better for wildlife too. And yes, you can even do a super narrow mixed border screen by combining different types of narrow growing plants (did you see my video with 13 upright evergreens?) #gardentips #landscaping #gardendesign #privacyscreen #greenscreen

More from @twinmomgardener

On-screen text

THIS IS WHY (By arborvitae, I'm referring to thuja occidentalis which is the screen I see most in my area) PLANT AN ARBORVITAE SCREEN LIKE THIS AND WHAT I WOULD DO INSTEAD (By arborvitae, I'm referring to thuja occidentalis which is the screen I see most in my area) WHENEVER YOU PLANT A MONOCULTURE LIKE THIS, ALL ONE PLANT, YOU ARE OPENING THE POSSIBILITY THAT YOU LOSE A BIG PORTION OF THAT HEDGE OR YOUR ENTIRE HAVE A PEST PROBLEM OR A DISEASE ISSUE OR EVEN A WATERING PROBLEM THAT YOU DON'T CATCH EARLY ENOUGH. I WOULD DO THIS IS CALLED SCREEN. IT INCORPORATES DIFFERENT EVERGREENS, DECIDUOUS PLANTS, AND EVEN SOME PERENNIALS IN ORDER TO CREATE A REALLY INTERESTING, LAYERED LOOK WHILE STILL PROVIDING A PRIVACY SCREEN. ONE BIG ADVANTAGE BORDER SCREEN ELIMINATING THAT RISK THE ENTIRE THING PEST OR DISEASE ISSUE. ANOTHER ADVANTAGE OF A MIXED BORDER SCREEN ALLOWS YOU TO MAKE DECISIONS AS PRIORITY IS TO SCREEN. IT MIGHT MAKE A REALLY FAST GROWING EVERGREEN, MAYBE AN ARBORVITAE. PERSONALLY I USED AN ARIZONA CYPRESS IN MY OWN GARDEN FOR THIS. BUT USE THAT FAST GROWING EVERGREEN TO SCREEN WHAT YOU WANNA SCREEN QUICKLY. IN MY AREA IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA, ZONE 7B. MAKE SENSE TO INCLUDE IN A BORDER LIKE THIS WOULD BE JUNIPERS, WHICH ARE VERY SIMILAR LOOKING TO ARBORVITAEs, RESILIENT IN MY AREA. ALSO THINGS LIKE OUR NATIVE PINE TREES AND OAK TREES ARE VERY HELPFUL EVEN THOUGH THE OAK TREES ARE THEY'RE STILL PROVIDING A VERY DENSE CANOPY WINTERTIME WITH ALL OF THE BRANCHES. EVERGREEN AZALEAS AND RHODODENDRONS, CAMELLIAS. YOU COULD INCLUDE CRYPTOMERIAS, CHAMACYPARIS, BOXWOODS, UH, DOGWOOD SHRUBS THAT ARE DECIDUOUS DENSE BRANCHING. SO MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS. OWN GARDEN, I HAVE AN ARIZONA CYPRESS WITH ARIZONA CYPRESS WITH JUNIPERS WITH OUR NATIVE FRINGE TREE AND A DOGWOOD SHRUB AND A VIBURNUM. VIBURNUMS ARE ANOTHER MY AREA. CHINDO VIBURNUM IS A VERY FAST EVERGREEN SHRUB HIT AROUND THE SAME HEIGHT THAT LOOKING FOR HEDGE IN THAT 10 TO 15 FOOT RANGE WITHIN A FEW YEARS. BUT IT'S GOING LOT MORE INTEREST BECAUSE IT ALSO FLOWERS. SO LET ME THINK THE KIND OF MONOCULTURE PERFECT SYMMETRICAL ARBORETUM HEDGE, OR IF YOU PREFER THE MIXED BORDER SCREEN.

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