I'm frequently asked about what plant will make a nice evergreen hedge.

Of course the standard shrub I recommend in our region is arborvitae. It can't be beat. It's tolerant of our summer heat, winter cold and alkaline soils. It has few insect or disease problems. It grows relatively fast but doesn't require regular pruning. Because it's so good and relatively inexpensive to buy, it has become too ordinary for some gardeners.

Finding something different that performs as well as arborvitae is almost impossible. Nevertheless, here are some suggestions.

Well suited to our hot summer climate is the Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum). It does best in full sun and tolerant of dry alkaline soils. It should be noted that most cultivars are relatively slow growing.

In selecting a cultivar, you will want to know its form, its approximate mature height and width, and its foliage color. A popular cultivar is "Skyrocket." It has one drawback: when it reaches about 15 feet tall, the side branches may start to bend downwards.

Another possible shrub for creating a screen or hedge is Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii). Popular in other parts of the country, Leyland cypress is a fast-growing evergreen. It grows in full sun or partial shade and tolerates alkaline soils. Leyland does best with moderate fertility and adequate soil moisture.

Leyland cypress grows big. This is not a sensible choice for an average-size lot. However, it tolerates pruning and can be grown as a hedge.

However, there are a number of more suitable cultivars available. "Castlewellan" has a dense crown with a conical to columnar form. "Moncal" or "Emerald Isle" has a dense crown. This cultivar is a better fit for home landscape situations, but it's still a bit large.

A suitable broadleaf evergreen is English laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), also known as cherry laurel. It's an evergreen shrub. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil and can be grown in sun or partial shade. It would be best to pick one of the smaller-growing cultivars such as the popular "Otto Luyken" or "Compacta." This plant is easy to grow and is drought tolerant but has two serious drawbacks. First, the plant, including the seeds, is poisonous except for the ripe flesh of the berries. Secondly, it has become an invasive pest in the western part of our state where it has escaped cultivation and flourishes in forest understory growth. It's already on the King County noxious weed list and should definitely not be planted in any regions where there are nearby forested areas.

If you ask me, arborvitae is still the best choice for an evergreen hedge in this area.

* Marianne C. Ophardt is a horticulturist for the Washington State University Extension Office in Benton County.