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WANTED: I need help, I need a super fast growing hedge?

17 years ago

question I need a super fast growing hedge if anyone knows of any I would appreciate it. we have a neighbor whom has decided that he likes to try to look into our windows. se stays about 10 from our fence but I would like to get some plants to get him to mind his own business. my kids don't feel comfortable anymore. can anyone give me some advise?

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Comments (8)

muggsey
17 years ago
Chinese elms- they grew over 6 foot in less then 2 years, are adaptable to any soil and conditions.
Sorry to hear of your plight. Good luck!
lindamarie
17 years ago
Check the sex offender list for your neighborhood!

I have lots of privet
They grow fast and bushy
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Thuja plicata 'green giant' is a variety of western red cedar that's becoming much more available due to its usefulness. It is a large fast growing evergreen similar in appearance to its cousin Thuja occidentallis (Northern White Cedar or arborvitae), but has a greater tolerance for shade and grows faster. It seems to be rapidly replacing Canadian Hemlock due to the latter's problem with Wooly Aldegid. You should be able to get these in large sizes (10'-12') without too much difficulty if the wallet allows. Good luck, changes like that in our home lives are tough to take. I have to sympathize on both sides as I would really like to throw a second floor on my tiny house. I'm sure my neighbors to the rear (with the pool) would be thrilled. I should worry about landscaping the place first, though.
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I second the suggestion on Ilex crenata--it really looks like boxwood and is easily trimmed. I find it's growth moderate. I have one large specimen and it seems always to need a haircut. There are other species of Ilex (Holly). Some of them native to your area (Ilex vomitoria)--but not sure of its growth rate. Photinia "red tip" grows very fast but I understand they suffer some kind of fungal problems in the South--especially when grown close together. I'm sure there are many possibilities for plants but the ones I have used for formal hedges include azaleas, Photinias, holly, boxwood, and Euonymous japonica.
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Simplest solution is to buy more mature(larger) specimens. You didn't mention a budget for this project. You don't mention the depth of area you are allowing for this planting. If you have unlimited space and good air flow you might consider staggering your row, every other one two ft. forward. I've done this and the shrubs grow much bushier. A good weeping hose placed between the front and back staggered bushes gives regular watering if you put it on a timer. The roots of the shrubs have more room to spread for nutrients and water done this way. And, each 'indent' gives you a marvelous spot to tuck some color like a Miss Huff lantana which will come back every year. I wouldn't tuck something like hydrangea in the indents ...they fight to grab water from the evergreens. I'd use hollies, but not Burfords.
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Don't know where you live in California, but if you have leaves available like we do in Massachusetts, mix LOTS of leaves in with your "soil". It will make a whale of a lot of difference in the soil. Leaves are cheap, otherwise use peat moss. Another option might be to mix coffee grounds in with your soil. Rome wasn't built in a day, and you cannot correct your soil condition overnight, but either one of the above will definitely help. you can coffee grounds FREE at many Coffee shops if you will give them 5 gallon containers to fill. Take all they will give you. Good luck.
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skaz421
17 years ago
How about shades in the windows? Quicker than waiting for a plant to grow!
sguanzon
17 years ago
Oleanders
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
Oleanders don't appear to be hardy above zone 8...per Google.

I knew there was a reason why I wasn't growing them as they are so pretty.
micke
17 years ago
I knew as soon as I seen this, that is was a neighbor issue, been there done that, I mentioned forsythia to you on another thread, but now that I see this I wanted to add that you ought to plant rose bushes in a row, the ones that have the largest thorns you can find, in case he tries to come any closer. we had a guy that lives diagonal from us that was standing outside of his door with a video camera, DH sees him while he was messing in the fridge (keep in mind we have a giant white pine tree, that is over our kitchen window) DH from the fridge, starts bobbing and weaving to try to see through the tree at this guy to see what he is doing and he jumped back in the house with the camera, now isn't that spooky?
I hate to keep the sun out of my house, but I really think mini blinds are the best thing invented, and they are inexpensive.
jaceysgranny
17 years ago
The first thing I'd do is call the police. This is against the law. Then I would plant something with thorns. What comes to mind is barberry or if he ever ventures into your yard and up to the window I'd plant pyracantha. It has the toughest and longest thorns I can think of. You could also invite his wife over to watch him peep into your windows. I'll bet he does it more when she's not home if he's married.
penguu
17 years ago
I have a row of REALLY SHARP-POINTY cacti...they don't grow so fast, but they do get everything that tries to come over the fences...

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