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Alabama Gardening

privacy hedging

18 years ago

We are located in the shoals area. We put in a pool last year and have a chain length fence. We cannot afford a privacy fence and the way the pool was installed we would have to build a retaining wall to put the fence on if we wanted the fence to provide privacy. I am thinking of planting something that is rather fast growing and dense that will provide the same type privacy we want, but also serve to landscape our pool as well. I have thought of bamboo but it is a lot of work, I've thought of Willow Hybrid but fear when it sheds we will have a huge mess in the pool. Can anyone suggest what type plants, shrubs, or trees I should be looking for?

Thanks

D

Comments (4)

tsmith2579
18 years ago
So, what hanky-panky are you trying to hide behind a privacy screen, LOL! Willows seek water. If there is any seepage from the pool the willow roots will head straight for it, grow into the cracks and open the concrete. Mother made the mistake of planting a willow near the field lines for the grease trap. All the roots went toward the lines.

There are many pros and cons about Leyland cypress but it is evergreen and grows fast. You can order small seedlings from a catalog very cheaply and they wil grow fast. You can buy bigger ones and they aren't too expensive. Plant them close and then as they get bigger, cut out every-other-one.
terramadre
18 years ago
How about Wax myrtle, Myrica cerifera?
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We have a row of sea grapes planted for their quick growth and ability to provide privacy. I have no complaints, but I do not mind a natural look. When it gets very very cold they do drop some leaves and thin out a little. We leave the leaves where they lie and let them naturally degrade and add compost and nutrients to the soil. The fallen leaves act as a very effective mulch against weeds. When they are in bloom so to speak they do drop grapes. However, we have a relatively micro tiny yard (hence the need for privacy) and none of that has bothered me. No matter how drastically I prune them back, they take it well. I have found them to be robust, tolerant, pest resistant, and highly effective for privacy. If you can prove to your satisfaction that the plants themselves and the grapes are not toxic to your animals (and as far as I know the grapes can even be used by humans to make jelly) I would highly recommend them.
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Podocarpus. It's neat and formal and bug resistant. I planted 4 to block the pool filter and you couldn't see it within a year. It's such a full shrub and it's evergreen. Easy to shear too. I keep it at 4 ft high but it will grow as tall as you let it. https://www.google.com/search?q=podocarpus+hedge&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS751US751&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj0w_bf_r3ZAhWmz4MKHarhCfYQsAQIKA&biw=1115&bih=743
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Can you grow vines on it rather than a hedge? Not sure what would be evergreen in your zone though. Looks like Kiwi Vine is good but not evergreen.
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A bay laurel at the University of Washington in Seattle was 44 ft. tall some years ago. But the first question is where you are located geographically and how Laurus nobilis does there - for starters its not especially cold tolerant. Otherwise this species has an established history of being used for hedging and topiary going back a very long time. Finally what your specific concept of "messy" consists of within this subject area will also be relevant - not only do broadleaved evergreens in general drop dead leaves (as do all trees and shrubs) they tend to do it during the growing season, and may do it for a long time (Magnolia grandiflora for instance). Instead of the one big dumping of all the leaves on a deciduous tree in autumn, that can be pounced on at that time. And not have to be dealt with again for an entire year. Spent flower parts and fruits are also shed each year of course. Again, same as with any kind of tree or shrub that produces these.
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patricianat
18 years ago
Chinese Privets, Tea Olive, Fringe Plants and Ileagnus. You can choose 1-2. Tea olives smell so good. Ileagus is very interesting. Chinese privets are fast and Purple Fringe gets big fast and interesting color if you can use that magenta color.
Frog_hollow_lady
18 years ago
hello.. I would use Elaeagnus.. It grows some what fast,smells great in bloom and the birds love the seeds..I have some small plants..if you e-mail me I can show you my plants..
Jody

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