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Florida Gardening

Suggestions for privacy hedge zone 10B(FL)

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hello everyone,

My surrounding neighbors' landscaping had to be removed for a new fence. Now I have almost no privacy in my own yard so I'd like to plant a privacy hedge at the fence line. I would need something that grows to about 20-30 ft tall. I don't like the look of an informal hedge and would want something more manicured. The faster growing the better. I like the look of a ficus hedge but the ficus hedge my homeowners association planted next to my property has only given me headaches since they planted it.

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Halfway There

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

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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Comments (10)

sonni1
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Have you seen anything around that you like? Get a photo and have someone identify it. That way, you'd know that it grows well in your area and that you like the way it looks. I'm surprised the HOA planted Ficus (benjamina?). It has a bad reputation in Fl especially since the whitefly infestation.
User
Original Author
6 years ago
I have seen other houses near me that have clusia hedges and I like the look but the tallest I've seen them is about 6-8 feet so I would need something taller. The whiteflies killed about half the hedge and the other half hasn't been pruned in years so it has grown into 30 foot trees in some parts. I was hoping the hurricane would bring them down but they're still there.
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@Fori -Thanks so much, I think that is a great solution for the bay area. I think we may end up going that route :) All of the fences in our neighborhood are supposed to be 6 ft but somehow most seem to be 8 or even 10 :) I was reticent to ask, because we get along really well and I didn't want to make them feel pressured to do something to the shared fence that they didn't want to, but I think that is probably the best idea!
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Thanks for the reply. I purchased 3 large Green Giants yesterday. They will be great for that spot, but now to decide if I want to run them as a longer hedge. Due to the cost, I may try to propagate from my larger trees to save money. But the 3 will for sure be great to hide the traffic at the stop sign. We worked on the backyard yesterday, and it looks like a construction site. There was a huge mound of dirt that had been there since 1995, and had all kinds of stuff growing in it. Not any more! There is still a lot left to clear out. But it is so nice to see progress. I had a neighbor come by and thank us for clearing out the land. He said he had lived here 21 years, and every one who had lived on this part of the block have let the yards and growth get out of control. I told him that has now changed! :)
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sonni1
6 years ago
Perhaps then clusia rosea? It's a tree, but maybe could be used and trimmed to be a hedge of sorts?
writersblock (9b/10a)
6 years ago
Are you sure you are allowed to go higher than that? Some municipalities have rules about it.
User
Original Author
6 years ago
According to the HOA bylaws the only restrictions they have on hedges is that I can’t have one on the curb blocking view of the house from the street. Other homeowners in the subdivision have areca palms lining the back yard but they get yellow in full sun and I’m looking for something more manicured. I think I might just go with clusia and let it grow out as much as I can.
writersblock (9b/10a)
6 years ago
Buttonwood makes a fast-growing hedge in either the green or silver variety.
User thanked writersblock (9b/10a)
amberroses
6 years ago
How are you going to prune a formal hedge that is 30 ft tall? I wouldn't let a manicured formal hedge get taller than I could comfortably reach on a step ladder. If you need additional height I would consider planting some trees in between the hedge or planting an informal hedge that doesn't need trimming.

For privacy hedges I like surinam cherry and coco plum.
User thanked amberroses
User
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks everyone. I do have a gardening service so they take care of everything for me. I’m leaning towards podocarpus but my only concern is that they need to be spaced rather close together (1.5-2 ft) but overall I think this might be the best plant for my situation. Thanks again!
Ruby Dee Fontanez
2 years ago
Which hedge did you finally plant? Was it the Podocarpus? How has it grown? Can you post a picture? I am looking for hedge ideas and am leaning towards Podocarpus as well; however, I am still deciding...

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