Fast growing privacy screens

15 years ago

I want to plant a wall of fast growing non-invasive hedges or something along that near the exterior back wall of my two story home. It is a western exposure and it gets very, very hot. Also my neighbors can look into the upstairs bedroom windows . Also something that grows rather quickly and tall.

I was thinking of eugenia since I have a row of them along the length of my place ( southern exposure but the sun is block by the building next door). I also was thinking clumping bamboo, but bamboo is costly.

Can someone please help. My plan is to plant about three feet from the wall. I was hoping to do this soon, before it gets to hot. Also any recommendations of nurseries in LA that are not to costly.

Thank you.......

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Comments (9)

davissue_zone9
15 years ago
You're right that bamboo would fit the bill and it's expensive. You might want to join the southern california bamboo society and go to their sales, which should offer the more common bamboo species at a much better price than you could get buying them at a retail nursery. They might also be able to direct you to a member who is looking to thin out his collection who could let you have some material for free if you were willing to dig it yourself.

Here is a link that might be useful: socal bamboo society
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
15 years ago
I was hoping to do this soon, before it gets to hot.

It's really too hot already. Best to wait until fall.
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catkim
15 years ago
I'm trying to imagine how planting a tall stand of bamboo 3 ft. from the back of your house will enhance your situation. What else is out in the back? Do you have any more garden space beyond the 3 ft? I wonder if you are going to create more problems than you solve with this idea.
redneck_grower
15 years ago
How tall do you need it?

Buddleja planted in mass can make a quick screen, but will not be tall enough to cover the upstairs window.

Clumping bamboos would be nice, but spread too slowly, IMHO. Running bamboos would be better, but need to be curbed. But, curbing is not as difficult as some would have you believe; if bamboos are really as bad as some people say, they would have taken over the world by now. Visit the BAMBOO forums for more.

Good luck!
wanda
15 years ago
And there's always good ole Pittisporum tenufolium, but as Hoovb said, it's best to wait until fall, no matter what you decide.
kathi_mdgd
15 years ago
Might be cheaper to just invest in some good window coverings,and easier as well,especially now that it's sooooooooooooo hot.
Kathi
anabella
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you for your answers so far. You are all probably right about planting now. It does not appear too hot but maybe I should wait till Fall. But it is so hot now along the back side of the house.

To clarify. The back wall of my place ( 2 stories) faces west. There is nothing out in that area now except concrete. So it is conceivable that I can break some of the concrete and plant a wall of greenery to not only keep it cooler but also provide privacy from my neighbors behind me ( also 2 stories).

Is this really a bad time to plant? I am also open to any other suggestions you all may have. I do need some help with this.
catkim
15 years ago
Honestly if you could post some photos, it would be much easier to assess the situation and make recommendations. There is more to the question than the current temperature.
wanda
15 years ago
You can really plant at any time, but it is best to wait until it's cooler. I find that many plants require much less care to establish when planted between Nov. and March (late fall-early spring).