A Gardener's Notebook

Our new neighbors want to plant a hedge between the houses, so I went off and did some research of some of the best hedge plants for Southern California. There is a lot of great information in this article. Give it a read before you plant your new hedge. — Douglas

Ficus Nitida and Ficus Benjamina are not the solution.

Whenever a client asks about installing a hedge they’re usually thinking of planting a row using Ficus Nitida (Retusa) or Benjamina.  They have been Southern California’s “go to” trees for privacy hedges for decades, but there are a number of reasons to pass them by. They can be very invasive and their roots grow close to the surface, damaging sidewalks. While they grow fast, they need frequent trimming and are not drought-toelerant. They require a substantial amount of water to establish and a moderate amount once established.

What follows is information on seven excellent hedges provided by the  North Park Nursery. If you’re thinking about adding a hedge and are concerned about how it will behave and how much water it will consume, here is valuable information about the best plant material for the job.

Read 7 Excellent Screening Hedges | A Gardener’s Thoughts & Fancies

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