fast growing plants as privacy screen

[ufvj217]

Not exactly garage related but they will be used to make my future garage build and backyard more private. I'm trying to decide what to plant that will grow tall but not scattered all over the place. I want something that will create a thick privacy screen yet take up a semi small footprint. Bamboo is the only thing I can think of. I'm in Florida so it has to be something that'll look good year round.

my dad has an Arizona cypress in our yard and within likr 5 years its nearly 25ft tall but used a large footprint as it grows. The only issue with bamboo is will it spread? I think there are certain types that are used for privacy screens that will grow more in a line rather than just grow wild.

The width of my yard I want to cover is about 75 feet and I want the plants to go at least 25 30 feet or higher, as my back "neighbor" is a school and from their 2nd story its very easy to see directly into my back yard, porch, etc.

Any ideas would be great!

 

[Kevin54]

I don't know if Virginia Creeper grows down in Florida or not, but it should. It grows great up here in the summer months. It does need something to climb on though as it is a vine. And one good thing about it....it looks just like Poison Ivy except it has five leaves instead of three. Most people won't know the difference so they will steer clear of it.

Poison Ivy

Virginia Creeper

 

[chops101]

Areca.
Fast growing to 25' and if left unpruned, it will give you all the privacy you need.

 

[OctoMan]

Pampas Grass might be good. It grows like crazy here in VA and is pretty heardy. The info on it says it grows 8-10' high and 5' wide.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Bamboo is ALMOST universally invasive. In Florida where it's likely got ideal growing conditions all the more so. If you want 25-30 ft of height you're talking trees. Likely with a fence, hedges or shrubs below or the privacy will only be from above.

Ficus trees will get that tall AND provide growth from the bottom up too if you never prune it, BUT they surface root like all hell and get ginormous.

I'd suggest you erect a fence with a line of trees next to it that have a narrow growth habit, like Cypress, Twisted Cedar, Or Liquidamber.

 

[ufvj217]

There's already a 6ft chain link fence that belongs to the school. I do like the vine idea but I'm not sure if I'm able to put lattice that high, I think they would consider that a fence and I'm only able to go so high with it.

 

[lilredex]

Around here, Lombardy Poplar (short lived) are used for wind breaks on farms, etc. They grow straight and tall and fast! Don't know how well they would do in Florida......3-9 is the recommended zones

If you want a dense cover, look at Boston Ivy...it has a neater look than Virginia Creeper.

http://landscaping.about.com/od/landscapedesignprivacy/p/lombardy_poplar.htm

 

[ufvj217]

Heres a bad pic of the backyard. The school has those huge trees already so that helps but I want a complete screen on my property.

Something like this, I can put something to control it from spreading outside of the area I want, and it grows tall and full

Seems that this stuff is called Gracilis bamboo. Not sure if I can purchase it locally or not, but this is the look I am wanting!

 

[Kevin54]

Heres a bad pic of the backyard. The school has those huge trees already so that helps but I want a complete screen on my property.

Something like this, I can put something to control it from spreading outside of the area I want, and it grows tall and full
Seems that this stuff is called Gracilis bamboo. Not sure if I can purchase it locally or not, but this is the look I am wanting!

You want to make sure that you can control it. I think a metal guard has to go down something like 4' to stop the roots. Bamboo, or MOST bamboo grows from rhizomes on the roots. A friend gave us a Water Iris a number of years back, but it had some bamboo in it. That was back when we had our pond. I have had it covered for a couple of years now, buried at least 4' under dirt and concrete. From where it was growing in the pond, it has came up 10' into the yard and I have no idea how deep the roots are. Once you get it started, you cannot get rid of it.

 

[ufvj217]

The back of the yard actually slopes down, and the garage will be back there also with a slab to work on, so a footer will need to be there to pour the slab, so I can just have the foot poured deep enough to block the roots.

 

[chops101]

You did not say what part of Florida you are in, so that makes a difference.

You stated fast growing so I offered up Areca Palms. They grow fast and tall, the stalks look like bamboo, they drop their fronds for you, for maintenance you just pick up the fronds.

There are clumping varieties of bamboo that are non-invasive but do your research with experts that live in this region. Florida is like no other state for growing things, especially South of 28 deg.
I have not planted bamboo yet but will, only because I like the clacking in the wind.

Unless you want to be a slave to high maintenance, stay away from hedges like Ficus, and well, the white fly that invaded the state 5 years ago will kill any ficus you try to plant anyway without a ton of consistent treatment.
If you have not experienced white fly yet, you will. It is moving North thru the state and the pesticides are having little to no effect.

 

[ufvj217]

Sorry about that. I live in Tampa. I did look up the plant you mentioned and still considering it, sorry for not acknowledging your post.

The only thing I dont like about those is the stalks dont have much leaves on them once tall it looks like, whereas bamboo stalk is uniform the whole way up it looks like.

 

[CNGsaves]

Not sure how trees go through 4 season cycle in Florida (ie shed leaves like "normal" here in Midwest??), but tall skinny poplar trees would grow quickly and provide visual blocking from neighbors (see pic below).

Your bamboo is a good idea as well but likely only get 15 to 20 ft tall. Warnings about it spreading are true. You should build a concrete perimeter "cage" in ground where all the bamboo roots would need to stay within boundaries. Potential of cheap bamboo also as some other homeowner might be tired of it, and you could get it on the cheap. Zoo might be another location to get bunch of bamboo roots if they re-work an exhibit. Bamboo would give a visual shield even during "winter" if you just let it continue to grow.

 

[ufvj217]

I have some bamboo at a rental property of mine. I wonder of its easy to transplant? Not sure of its the same style, definitely grows wild.

 

[pendragon1998]

Please, do a little research on invasive non-native plants to avoid in Florida!!

 

[ufvj217]

Looks like gracilis bamboo is non invasive. Im trying to figure out what type of bamboo is growing on my rental property

 

[Ray-CA]

Carolina Cherries...http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/living-screens-00400000005666/page2.html

They will require annual pruning (maybe twice a year depending on growing conditions) and how 'tight' you want them to look.

Ray

 

[Falcon67]

I was interested in the Cherry Laurel until I looked it up locally.

"Cherry Laurel is a large evergreen shrub or small tree with dark glossy green leaves. It grows in deep, moist but well-drained bottomlands in southeast Texas. It is a fast-growing small tree, to 35 to 40 feet, that casts dense shade. With age the bark becomes almost black. It grows in most conditions but does not like high temperatures or hot, dry locations; it can also get chlorotic in blackland soil if it is not deep and loamy. Cherry laurel is frequently planted as an evergreen screen in East Texas; it requires maintenance to keep as a hedge. The leaves and fruit have a high concentration of hydrocyanic acid and are potentially poisonous."

We are all about hot, dry and no moisture here. Bummer!

 

[4xdog]

I was thinking one of the many members of the Laurel family, too. There are a lot of 'em, and maybe some are tolerant of your conditions?

My friends in the southwest of France have a terrific screen in their back yard made of laurel. Evergreen, dense, visually interesting speckled leaves. I like it. Here's some sort of Laurel at the Orval Abbey in the Ardennes region of Belgium in November a couple of years ago.

 

[brownbagg]

just remember fast growing trees are real weak so being in fla, you get a hurricane and those trees are gone. I like cypress trees, they are fast growing but are weak

 

[moto367]

I have Austree willows. They grow fast. But, I'm getting ready to cut them all down. As someone mentioned, most of the fast growers are soft and create one hell of a mess every time a fly farts! The work and maintenance is not worth it to me.

 

[robr2]

Consider skyrocket junipers - grows to about 20', non invasive, tall and skinny, evergreen so no leaves.

 

[58Yeoman]

Lombardy poplars don't live very long, relatively.

 

[Kevin54]

I have Austree willows. They grow fast. But, I'm getting ready to cut them all down. As someone mentioned, most of the fast growers are soft and create one hell of a mess every time a fly farts! The work and maintenance is not worth it to me.

A number of years ago, when they first came out pushing the Austree Willows, we almost bought a bunch. I'm glad I didn't. I see them everywhere along swampy areas and along rivers and streams where I live. I think they are more along the lines of a trash tree, and an invasive tree.

 

[Ray-CA]

I was interested in the Cherry Laurel until I looked it up locally.

"Cherry Laurel is a large evergreen shrub or small tree with dark glossy green leaves. It grows in deep, moist but well-drained bottomlands in southeast Texas. It is a fast-growing small tree, to 35 to 40 feet, that casts dense shade. With age the bark becomes almost black. It grows in most conditions but does not like high temperatures or hot, dry locations; it can also get chlorotic in blackland soil if it is not deep and loamy. Cherry laurel is frequently planted as an evergreen screen in East Texas; it requires maintenance to keep as a hedge. The leaves and fruit have a high concentration of hydrocyanic acid and are potentially poisonous."

We are all about hot, dry and no moisture here. Bummer!

We grew our in the central valley of CA. 114 in the summer, drought conditions (watered 3-times a week for 30-minutes on a drip system.) Damn things got TALL.

Ray

 

[abnorm]

Looks like gracilis bamboo is non invasive. Im trying to figure out what type of bamboo is growing on my rental property

Feel a stalk......Does it have a ridge or groove along the length of the Bamboo?

Groove.....Running.......Invasive

Smooth....Clumping

Lots-O-guessing in this thread......you can certainly easily control clumping bamboo in Florida

""Your bamboo is a good idea as well but likely only get 15 to 20 ft tall.""

 

[1931S/X]

I planted running bamboo at the back of my yard a few years ago like you want to do. I put the barrier and its working good. the only problem a few weeks ago I tried to dig up a clump to put in a pot and it was awful with the barrier. its like its in a giant pot. solid roots. I love it, I think it would be awesome to plant it across the entire back and both sides. the barrier is too expensive, and it would be hard to place on the sides of my yard. my uncle is in fl, and he said something like you aren't allowed to plant a running bamboo in fl. only certain clumping types. I don't think the clumping bamboo looks as good but if that was my only choice id go with it.

 

[Ben7203]

Around here, Leyland Cypress trees are used allot for borders or privacy fences. They are pretty cheap. $10 +/- for a gallon size and in a few years they are taller than you are. They look like a row of Christmas trees.

 

[Torque1st]

Check to see if you have any local horticultural agents. They will know the area and be able to give solid advice.

 

[Nowater]

Fire bush can get surprisingly tall and attracts hummingbirds (your wife will like them.)
Jasmine can grow on a fence and cover it quickly.
Podicarpus grows quickly and takes to trimming very well. You can root your own cuttings from the new stem growth.

Avoid bamboo. Everyone I know who put it in spent hours removing it.

Try to avoid anything listed as invasive as it will become a problem.

Stuff like Spanish bayonet gets sharp points and keeps people out, as does the yucca plant.

Can you wait long enough for some fruit trees to grow? Mulberries grow well, or lycee, or even the new UF developed nectarine or peach trees for some ideas.

 

[crf731]

I don't know what to recommend, but I'd avoid bamboo.

A friend of mine has some of it planted along a fence line and he hates that ****. It is invasive and it shooting up in the middle of his yard 20' from where the rest of it is growing.

 

[Nowater]

Also consider vibirnum (spelling, I know). Most are a low growing type, some grow twenty feet tall. They grow thick and adapt to pruning if you want to. Good privacy block or choice for a hedge. My neighbor's are about six feet thick at the base and taper up. A good choice and inexpensive.

 

[Tripp2012]

Around here, Leyland Cypress trees are used allot for borders or privacy fences. They are pretty cheap. $10 +/- for a gallon size and in a few years they are taller than you are. They look like a row of Christmas trees.

Second for Leylands if they will grow in Ohio no care needed and very fast growing.

 

[bullnerd]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...-KO6DPNNzgu_Guoxw&sig2=QmOSCxlRo6691PeBs0GADw

Leyland cyprus is what I'll be using to block my new shop from my niebor.

 

[zcarnut]

Another mention for Leyland Cypress trees. I planted these only five years ago. The fence is a standard 4 foot tall. You can’t see (or hear) the next door neighbor.

 

[Andybull]

Thuja Green Giants if they grow in your area. I planted them instead of Leylands, since Leylands are prone to disease and Thujas are not.
They will grow to 30' plus, at about 3' per year.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Golden Vicary Privet

Plant it reasonable close together and you can trim it into a hedge. You do have to trim it at least once a year. If you are planting it in front of a fence, space it out some so that you can get behind it for trimming.

You can buy seedlings or small one (2') if you are willing to wait a couple of years. My Dad and I planted a hedge from seedlings over 30 years ago. Still there, and well over 15' tall.

 

[sctattooer]

Around here, Leyland Cypress trees are used allot for borders or privacy fences. They are pretty cheap. $10 +/- for a gallon size and in a few years they are taller than you are. They look like a row of Christmas trees.

^^ what he said.

 

[ozyborn]

Poison Ivy? Also keeps all kids from climbing it

 

[tehach]

Oleanders grow rapidly and pretty tall if you trim them.