Screening

Most of the time when people say they want a hedge, what they are really looking for is simply screening, to make their neighbors disappear.

Dating back to the old days, when dragons lived under the earth, sea monsters swallowed boats whole, and gremlins, goblins and leprechauns played tricks just out of sight, the hedge was a symbol of man's triumph over nature.  

Even though times have changed, and the body of knowledge available to us has increased, many people cling to traditions, just for the sake of, um, well, for the sake of tradition.   

"Why go to the water jar when you can go to the fountain?"  Leonardo da Vinci.  

When he said that, Leonardo was criticizing artists who copy other artists.  In landscaping, there is no finer teacher than Madam Nature herself.  She never uses hedges in her designs.  You should mimic her, and resist being just another person replicating commonplace arrangements done by people copying other designers.

Plant things that are comfortable growing at the heights at which you wish to maintain them.  

Low Screening (under five feet) 

	At left is cherry hedge, or surinam cherry Eugenia uniflora.  It is a cousin of the red stopper, with similar multi-hued leaves, and delicious fruits.  You see them everywhere.  Look for them in front of stores, kept trimmed at about 3 feet high, as shown here.
They're so cute when they're little.  But don't let them get overgrown, as in the photo at right.  The invader from the yard next door drops its messy fruits on the pathway.  In the close-up photo below, you can see the seedlings coming up next to the path.
	The profusion of viable fruits falling, or being spread by animals, is the reason why cherry hedge is invading natural areas.  It is on a list of plants which the Florida Department of Agriculture would like nurseries to stop growing.  Its days are considered numbered.
What should you use instead? For a low barrier, 4' and under, there is no finer choice than Bahama Coffee Psychotria ligustrifolia.
	Maidenbush  Savia bahamensis lends itself well to being maintained as a low-level accent shrub.  May be planted singly, or in groups, in patterns such as lines or figure 8's, anything.
Locustberry  Byrsonima lucida can easily be kept trimmed at 4 feet, or higher, and when it flowers, will brighten your spirits.
	Indigoberry  Randia aculeata  Great as a low filler shrub in an understory situation.
Even Simpson's Stopper can be kept trimmed at 3 feet, as you see in the photo at right.  This parking lot is a fine example of use of native plants in a municipal setting.  It is next to the community center in the City of Hollywood, along scenic A1A.

Use The Right Plant in the Right Place

 

At right is inappropriately-used ficus hedge Ficus benjamina.  The property owner wanted a 10-foot high privacy barrier.  So why did he plant a row of what grows into a 100-foot tall tree?
Advantages of initial low cost and fast growth are negated by high maintenance costs later on.  The hedge wasn't kept trimmed, until it reached the height of the electrical wires, encroaching on the sidewalk and intimidating passersby.   To the dubious rescue came Asplundh Tree Service (under contract for FPL).  "Get back, you heathen!" I heard them cursing, as they hacked it down with assorted knives.  Their primary concern is for the power line.  They don't focus on the aesthetics of what they leave behind.
	The photo above was taken three years before the one at left.  The owner has lost control of it as a hedge and now has a line of 40+ foot high trees with limited space for root development.  This is a serious liability in future storms.
The story continues: Hurricane Katrina (August 26, 2005) knocked down our neighbor's entire Ficus barrier, prompting a massive clean-up and removal effort.
Now, he's back where he started, with nothing except bad memories..

So what should he have planted? There are many choices.  He could have used Cocoplum, but he should be careful to use the right one.  Let us digress for a moment to explain the situation. Cocoplum  Chrysobalanus icaco varieties
Redtip Cocoplum
	Horizontal Cocoplum
Redtip cocoplum is one of the most commonly-used native plants.  You see it all over the place, probably without realizing it.  This is because it is usually box-cut to fit in narrow places in parking lots and other roadside areas.
	Note the bare places in the photo above.  That is a result of an automatic irrigation system spraying too much water in that particular spot. At left is a close-up of  the hedge above.  The leaves are torn and chopped before they can develop the red foliage. The plant never really achieves a high level of health, since it is always under attack.
At right is an example of how design principles from ancient Europe continue to influence landscapers in the New World.  Redtip cocoplums are box cut at a height of 36 inches, which is the natural height of horizontal cocoplum.  In locations like this, where space is limited, horizontal cocoplum, or one of the others discussed above, would be a better choice.
In the photo at right, Horizontal cocoplum is 36 inches high.  It makes a great border plant.  Naturally trim branches that grow into areas of traffic, and it will lead a healthy long life .  Below is a redtip cocoplum, allowed to express itself to its greatest ability.  It's about 9 feet tall, full of redtips and berries, with wildlife fluttering and creeping to take advantage of its products.
	Use it as an accent plant or as part of  natural screening. Prune it occasionally, and you will enjoy it for a long time. This would have been a nice choice for our neighbor above.  Instead of worrying about trimming his hedge, he could have been spending his time collecting the fruits and making himself some jam.
He could have planted stoppers, which combine very well to make an excellent  visual barrier that would not get up to the electric wires.   At right is a combination of spanish and red stoppers.

Mix it up a little

Instead of using fifty of the same plant in a straight line, why not use a variety of stuff, for a more natural effect.

 

	The possibilities of potential combinations are endless.  Do something unique.  Reach into your dreams and pull out the natural, spontaneous beauty hiding within you. Show the world that you are a true artist.