Plant labels are often misleading or, in some cases, quite wrong. Unfortunately this means if you are buying plants you should be quite cautious & ask the horticulturist at the nursery or store to confirm that the information (especially regarding size & growing requirements such as whether they need a sunny or shady position) is correct.
For example, an often used privacy plant, Leyland Cypress, can grow 50m or more – Don showed one that was 10m tall. The label says the plant will grow 7m – however there was fine print that says “in 10 years” . In other words there’s a label that says the plant will grow 7 metres when in fact they can grow up to 50m. To keep it at a reasonable height regular maintenance trimming would be needed which many people wouldn’t have time to do.
An excellent alternative is the Spartan juniper – good privacy plant but doesn’t need trimming so is a low maintenance plant as well as a screening. Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ is another plant with a misleading label. The label says it grows up to 4m when in fact it can grow to around 10m.
You have been warned ….