Lucky you! We need to start planting next spring on two sides of our property to be ready when someone moves in to either property. The one next door has been vacant for at least 5 years. We met the owner one time and they want to retire out here. That could be kinda close now. Last year the owner bulldozed the vacant land behind us, but hit a snag with the zoning department and can't sell indivdual lots. Yeah! That would have been a trailer park I think. But, it might sell as a whole property or he might do something else there. I have several golden dew drop plants started because I had a big one and the hummingbirds love it. What kind of tall, fast growing shrubs can you recommend that don't need alot of water?

Susie, how cool! Sounds like you'll have a really great neighbor :-)

What kind of tall, fast growing shrubs can you recommend that don't need alot of water?

Hey kid, pick out a short variety (10-12') of clumping bamboo that's cold tolerant...gotta be some that do well up there where you are.

Tom

That's great news! You have worked hard to keep that jungle from taking over your yard. How wonderful to have a considerate neighbor. Enjoy! and let me know if you want some fast growing day blooming jasmine.

thanks all. it is a big relief to be rid of the neglectful former neighbors.
Zackey, I'm afraid what works for me wouldn't work up there. The addition I've been most happy with is a firebush, relocated from another spot after I discovered that "dwarf" meant small leaves, not small plant. The hummers visit it, which is an added benefit.
And coffeemom, I've got more jasmine than I know what to do with. Gosh that stuff reproduces!

I live next to a house that is being rented, but the owner told me they want to sell soon. I live in fear that the new owner will cut down the thick Brazilian pepper hedge (on her side) that completely screens our house from theirs. I know it's invasive, and as soon as I'm finished replanting the front yard with bushes, I'll start to put in plants on my side. Problem is, right now they would be in the shade, but once that tall hedge is gone, they'll be in the sun.

That's great to hear! I could write a book about my neighbors. We finally gave up and put in a 6ft privacy fence this past spring and it was the best thing we ever did. Nice to sit outside and not have the next door neighbor's druggie son staring at me.
I know what you mean about dwarf firebush. I planted a "dwarf" too close to the house and it was going under the foundation. Dug it out and it was still coming back. Dug it out some more and rescued enough of it to start two new plants that I'll put over in my butterfly garden, away from the house.

I wouldn't worry, echobelly. They planted little buttonwoods (1 gal size) along the road in front of our place in Feb and now they've gotten so tall you can't see over them. Pick the right plants and they'll grow fast, so it should be pretty temporary for your lack of privacy.

Congratulations on one of the best treats a gardener could receive, that of a good neighbor. Neighbors should be assets to share the joys of our outdoor living and gardening passion here in sunny FL. Although renters often get little respect from homeowners, often homes in dis-repair and gardens in shambles are the result of clueless/careless/greedy landlords. It's difficult to take pride in one's rental home, for however long one lives in it, if the owner of the property refuses to spend a nickel on routine maintenance, replacement of dead trees, trimming of overgrown, invasive species. I am soooo happy for you to have an amicable neighbor, after the gardening challenges you've faced for some time. And glad the house has been purchased and occupied by the owner. That's a win-win situation for the entire neighborhood.

As we are renting at this time, we are also challenged by what landscape exists here, and alot of vining plants that scramble all over everything. We are blessed by a wonderful neighbor. I spend countless hours trimming, thinning, propagating, whatever, to fill in where existing plantings have died in drought times. Then there's the hours spent dealing with plants that would be better off confined to pots or removed entirely. Wishing you happy enjoyment with your neighbor next door!

Randy