Question
My husband and I were thinking of planting Leyland cypresses as a border to block the road from our house, we've heard that they work well as a sound barrier too. We have at least an acre(maybe more) of land from the road to our house but I've heard that Leylands grow to be at least 50 feet tall(which is a little to large for my taste).  I was wondering if there was anything you could suggest that will work as a border/sound barrier that grows fast but not quite as tall, maybe 10 to 20 feet.  We are in South- East US Zone in North Carolina.

Answer
Kim,

Some ideas for the border shrubs-
Chinese Holly-Ilex cornuta
Pyracantha
Bakers Spruce-Picea pungens 'Bakeri'
Hoopsi Spruce- Picea pungens 'Hoopsi'

I would recommend looking at these plants at your local garden center and finding the one you like best.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen