How To Screen Large Utility Boxes with Plantings

Unsightly utility boxes can be an eyesore in any landscape, but with some creative planting, you can effectively conceal them while maintaining their accessibility. This landscaping project not only improves the style of your property but also adds value by creating a more natural, cohesive outdoor space. In the video above, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook showcases how to use native plants to screen large utility boxes, creating a beautiful and functional solution.

Planning Your Screening Project

A well-thought-out plan leads to a successful screening of utility boxes. This involves selecting the right plants, determining the best layout, and preparing the site for planting. The following considerations address the specifics.

Choosing the Right Plants

When selecting plants to screen utility boxes, think about the following factors:

• Deer resistance: If deer are common in your area, choose plants that are less appealing to these animals.
• Growth habits: Select a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs to provide year-round coverage.
• Mature size: Opt for plants that won’t outgrow the space or interfere with the utility boxes when fully mature.
• Native species: Choose plants that are native to your area, as they are typically more resilient and require less maintenance.

Some excellent choices for screening include bayberry, viburnum, inkberry, and summersweet. These plants are not only native to many regions but also offer a variety of textures and seasonal interests. Additionally, native plants reduce the need for extensive watering and fertilization, making them an environmentally friendly option.

Pro Tip: This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook recommends summersweet as a top pick for screening: “This is really one of my favorite plants because this has underground rhizomes that will come out. So, this will actually grow down and make a nice edging plant.” Its spreading habit makes it an ideal complement to taller screening shrubs like viburnum and inkberry.

Creating a Natural Layout

To achieve a natural-looking screen, avoid planting shrubs in straight lines. Instead, arrange them in a curved or staggered pattern that mimics nature. This approach not only looks more visually pleasing but also provides better coverage from multiple angles. A natural layout can also assist in blending the screening plants with the existing landscape, making the utility boxes less noticeable.

For the most effective natural screen, consider a layered approach that mixes trees and shrubs—both deciduous and evergreen—with lower-growing perennials and groundcovers. As This Old House Magazine explains, this arrangement “looks like Mother Nature did it (the ultimate goal of most landscape design) and is prudent because it carries less risk than a single-type planting,” since a disease or insect infestation could destroy an entire uniform hedge that took years to grow.

Site Preparation

Proper site preparation leads to the success of your screening project. Follow these steps:

1. Contact utility companies to mark underground lines.
2. Create a gentle berm in front of the utility boxes using a mixture of topsoil and compost.
3. Test the soil and amend it if necessary to achieve peak growing conditions for your chosen plants.

Tools

The only tools you need for this project are a shovel and a garden rake.

Expert Insight: This Old House landscape contractor Tom, when planning a screening project for utility boxes, recommends working with the existing terrain: “My sense is, looking at this gently rolling topography, that if we took our clues from that, made a very gentle mound in front of the utility boxes here, that in itself would help screen the view. But then what we can also do is to assist with some native plantings on this that would relate into the site.” Building a subtle earth mound before planting adds an extra layer of screening and helps new plantings blend with the surrounding landscape.

Step-by-Step Planting Process

With your plan in place and site prepared, you’re ready to start planting. Follow these steps to create an effective and attractive screen for your utility boxes:

1. Arrange potted shrubs on the berm, experimenting with different layouts until you achieve a natural-looking design that effectively screens the utility boxes.
2. Dig holes for each plant, making sure they are wide enough to accommodate the root balls comfortably.
3. Remove each plant from its container and gently loosen the roots if they appear compacted.
4. Place the plants in their holes, making sure the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
5. Backfill the holes with the soil mixture, firming it gently around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
6. Water the newly planted shrubs thoroughly to help settle the soil and reduce transplant shock.

Mulching and Maintenance of Screening Plants

Proper mulching and ongoing maintenance are required for the health and effectiveness of your screening plants. Long-term care helps the plants remain healthy and effective in concealing the utility boxes.

Applying Mulch

After planting, apply a 2-inch layer of bark mulch around the base of the shrubs. This helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Be careful not to pile mulch against the trunks of the plants, as this can lead to rot and other issues. Mulching is particularly important as it reduces evaporation, thus minimizing the amount of water needed for maintenance.

Watering Schedule

Establishing a consistent watering schedule is necessary for the first few weeks after planting. As Cook advises in the video, water the shrubs daily for the first two weeks, then every other day for the following two weeks. After this initial period, you can reduce watering frequency as the plants become established. Regular watering helps the plants adapt to their new environment and prevents stress.

Long-Term Care

To make sure your screening plants thrive and continue to effectively conceal the utility boxes:

• Fertilize annually with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to promote healthy growth.
• Monitor for signs of pests or diseases and address any issues promptly.
• Prune shrubs as needed to maintain their shape and size.
• Refresh the mulch layer annually to maintain its benefits.

Pro Tip: Matthew Foti, a certified arborist in Lexington, Massachusetts, who frequently consults on This Old House television projects, advises: “Fertilizing in the fall is key for woody plants because they store most of their food for the year at the end of the growing season.” He recommends using a mix that’s high in phosphorous, such as 5-30-30, to enhance root growth, and adding a 2-to-3-inch blanket of mulch beneath trees and shrubs for insulation.

Consistent long-term care not only keeps the plants healthy but also check that the utility boxes remain well-concealed. Regular observation and maintenance will extend the life and health of your screening plants.

Improving Your Landscape Design

While the primary goal is to screen the utility boxes, this project also presents an opportunity to improve your overall landscape design. Think about how the addition of new elements can integrate with and improve the existing landscape.

Incorporating Additional Elements

Add complementary elements to create a more cohesive look:

• Create a small seating area nearby to take advantage of the newly beautified space.
• Incorporate decorative rocks or boulders to add texture and visual interest.
• Install landscape lighting to highlight your new plantings and add nighttime interest.

Rocks and boulders provide a natural barrier, complementing the look of the shrubs while also adding variety in height and texture. A seating area can serve as a focal point, transforming the space into a welcoming outdoor living area.

Extending the Design

Use the screening project as inspiration to improve other areas of your landscape. You can apply similar planting techniques to:

• Conceal air conditioning units
• Create privacy screens along property lines
• Define different outdoor living spaces

By extending the design principles used to screen the utility boxes, you can create a more unified and attractive landscape throughout your property. Integrating these elements fosters a cohesive look and makes sure that every part of your yard contributes to the overall style.