Originally published in the Davis Enterprise March
23, 2006
A good
hedge wonÕt require pruning too often, will grow at a reasonable rate, and will
be dense enough to block the view. If youÕre in a hurry, consider installing a
fence extension and planting a fast-growing vine while you wait for the hedge
shrubs to grow. Here are some of our favorite shrubs for hedges and privacy!
* Abelia x grandiflora
Glossy
abelia
Upright
growing shrub with nice shiny foliage and a profusion of white flowers. Often
clipped, but looks more graceful when left to grow naturally. Drops some leaves
if the winter is cold, but mostly evergreen. Grows 3 – 4Õ a year to 8Õ+.
The pink version, Edward Goucher, is attractive to hummingbirds. Stays lower: 5
– 6Õ, with equal spread.
* Bamboo
Bambusa
and Phyllostachys species
Bambusa
species are non-invasive, large, well-mannered shrubs. Bambusa multiplex ÔAlphonse
KarrÕ is one of the best; Bambusa oldhami, ventricosa, vulgaris, and tuldoides are
also useful. Slow to make a hedge; either buy several and plant close together,
or dig clumps every year or so and divide them.
Phyllostachys
species are the familiar invasive bamboos. They can be planted as a hedge if
the roots are confined with a barrier and the grove is monitored annually for
escaped rhizomes! Golden bamboo (P. aurea) and Black bamboo (P. nigra) are the
best-known runners. Use with caution.
* Buxus microphylla japonica
Japanese
boxwood
The
classic slow-growing clipped hedge. Easily kept as low as a foot, but naturally
grows to 3 – 4Õ plus. Sun or light shade, average watering, somewhat
drought tolerant.
* Callistemon citrinus
Bottlebrush
Fast-growing,
somewhat rangy shrubs with showy red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Prone
to iron chlorosis when irrigated. Very drought-tolerant.
* Ceanothus species and
hybrids
Wild lilac
ÔConchaÕ
and ÔRay HartmanÕ are two of the best for hedges.
California
natives with attractive shiny leaves; pretty blue flowers in spring. These two
varieties get big enough to provide privacy, but Ceanothus donÕt like to be
pruned. Water deeply and very infrequently in summer, or not at all. Grow 3Õ+ a
year.
* Citrus
Citrus and
Fortunella species
Many
citrus make excellent hedges. Kumquats (Fortunella) are especially ornamental
and hardy. Sweet smelling flowers off and on at any time, with fruit
year-around. Fruit has sweet skin, tart flesh. Grows 2 – 3Õ a year to 8
– 12Õ +
* Cotoneaster lacteus
Red
clusterberry
Very
graceful shrub with arching growth habit, masses of white flowers in spring,
and heavy crop of bright red fruit in winter. Grows 3 – 4Õ a year to 10Õ
+, but easily kept lower. Good examples in front of the DMV, corner of 5th
and Pole Line, where they are pruned to about 4Õ.
* Dodonea viscosa 'Purpurea'
Purple
hopseed bush
Great
for quick screen. Bronze foliage
turns dark purple, almost maroon, in winter. Fairly open habit, but can be
sheared for greater density. Fast-growing (3 – 5Õ a year) to 10Õ+. Very drought-tolerant.
* Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'Gilt Edge'
Upright
growth habit. Silvery leaves with bright golden margins. Flowers attract
beneficial insects; edible fruit attracts songbirds. Grows 3 – 4Õ a year
to 10Õ+. Very tough, drought tolerant.
* Escallonia rubra
Red
escallonia
Big shrub
with dark, glossy green leaves and dark red flowers. Leaves have a resinous
odor. Flowers attract hummingbirds. Grows 2 – 3Õ a year to 8Õ+. The more widely planted Escallonia X
'Frades' (Pink princess shrub) is subject to iron deficiency if it gets watered
regularly.
* Feijoa sellowiana
Pineapple
guava
Edible
flowers! Fuzzy grey-green leaves make a nice contrast with red-leaved or
shiny-leaved shrubs. Tasty fruit, plant named varieties if you want reliable
fruit production. Very drought tolerant. Grows 2 – 3Õ a year to 10Õ+,
easily kept lower. Or grow as a
small tree.
* Laurus nobilis
Bay laurel
Grecian
bay is a kitchen herb, but itÕs also a tough, upright, dense tree that can be
pruned as a hedge. Will grow in full sun or considerable shade. Grows 2 –
3Õ a year to 30Õ+, but easily kept at 10Õ.
* Ligustrum japonica
'Texanum'
Texas
privet
This very
common allergy plant in the olive family reseeds prolifically. I detest
privet. Nevertheless, it is very
tough, and makes a dense hedge to about 6 - 8Õ.
* Myrsine africana
African
boxwood
Outstanding
shrub for hedge, similar to the more common Japanese boxwood, but with a redder
coloration. Grows 1Õ a year to 4Õ or more, can get to 6Õ+.
* Myrtus communis
Common
myrtle
Outstanding
old landscape shrub. Clean, shiny foliage; dense growth habit. Can be clipped,
shaped, trained as a small tree. Sweet-smelling flowers; shiny black fruit.
Excellent hedge, but even more attractive when allowed to grow naturally.
ÔCompactaÕ is tighter growing with smaller leaves and can be kept as a hedge
from 1Õ – 6Õ. Drought
tolerant.
* Nerium oleander
Oleander
The
incredibly tough shrub that grows all along CaliforniaÕs freeways. ÔSister
AgnesÕ is white, fast, and biggest of all. ÔSealy PinkÕ is medium pink,
ÔCrimson RedÕ is dark red. Disease and pest problems in other areas have
reduced availability, but still a good choice for difficult, hot, dry locations
here in the Valley.
* Photinia fraseri
Fraser's
photinia
The shrub
with bright red new growth. Very popular, fast-growing shrub that makes a great
screen or hedge. Can even be trained as a small tree. Fireblight and lace bug
are becoming serious pests to the point that IÕm not recommending these
anymore. Avoid pruning in spring to prevent fireblight. Light oil sprays or
systemic insecticides can help control lace bugs.
* Pittosporum tobira
Mock
orange
A
landscape all-star!. Grows in full sun or considerable shade. Prune as a hedge,
train as a tree, or let it grow naturally. Dark, shiny leaves look good all the
time. Flowers smell like orange blossoms. Grows 3Õ a year to 10Õ+ VariegatumÕ
has creamy-colored margins on the
leaves; somewhat slower-growing (2Õ a year).
* Podocarpus gracilior
Fern pine
Very
graceful, useful evergreen tree that we usually use as a large shrub or
espalier. Shiny, narrow, dark green leaves. Will take all but the hottest sun,
as well as considerable shade. Grows 3Õ a year to whatever height you let it.
* Rhamnus alaternus
Italian
buckthorn
Fast-growing
with dark green, dense foliage. Flowers attract beneficial insects; small berries
attract songbirds. Great for a quick hedge for privacy. Very drought-tolerant
but sensitive to overwatering.. Grows 3 – 5Õ a year to 10Õ+.
* Rhaphiolepis x ÔMajestic
BeautyÕ
Indian
hawthorn
A very
large variety of Indian hawthorn, with very showy pink flowers in spring. Dark
green, shiny leaves. Grows 2 – 3Õ a year to 8Õ+.
* Rosmarinus officinalis
ÔBlue
SpireÕ, ÔTuscan BlueÕ are upright forms for hedges.
Rosemary
is tough! This familiar kitchen herb tolerates drought, some shade. The dark
blue blooms in winter and spring are a nice bonus. More familiar varieties are
ground covers, but these two grow upright at 1 – 2Õ a year to 4Õ+
* Viburnums
Viburnum suspensum
Sandankwa
viburnum
Big shiny
leaves on a plant with an open growth habit. Can be clipped for greater
density. Flowers are fragrant--odd, musky/fruity scent. Prefers at least some
shade. Drought-tolerant.
Viburnum tinus
Laurustinus
One of the
few Viburnums that can take direct sun and grows very well here. Attractive buds in fall, flowers in
winter, shiny blue berries in spring and summer. Great for beneficial insects
and songbirds. Can be pruned, but looks especially good if allowed to grow with
only light clipping. 'Spring Bouquet' grows 2 - 3Õ/year to 6Õ+. 'Robustum'
grows fast to 10Õ +.
* Xylosma congestum
Shiny
xylosma
One of the
toughest landscape shrubs around. Tolerates heat, even reflected off a west
wall, but also takes shade. Can be trained into a beautiful small tree, clipped
as a formal hedge, or trimmed for an informal screen. Very drought tolerant.
Grows 3Õ a year to 10Õ+.
'Compacta'
is a denser variety which grows 2Õ a year and has thorns.
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