Summer is a time to enjoy backyard parties, intimate times under the stars or bubbles while submerged in a hot tub. There can never be too much privacy for these moments, but screens taller than one’s head can obliterate vistas and obscure sunsets. An unfortunate mistake many homeowners make is planting a hedge that becomes massive within several years and overgrows its space, obscuring walkways and the fronts of houses.
As this is the ideal season for planting privacy screens, this column is dedicated to those plants that are easily maintained at head height with minimal manicuring. Warm soil and increased humidity in a landscape that has been rehydrated by afternoon monsoonal showers are the perfect recipe for planting success. In warm summer soil, plants root rapidly, quickly developing into well-established shrubs that are unique to Northern Arizona. With that encouragement, here is my list of the top seven performers that contribute effectively to local landscapes.
Red Tipped Photinia is the most common plant used as a tall hedge. The new growth of spring emerges red then matures to a waxy green leaf. If left to itself very long, it can become too large for most properties. More maintenance is required for this aggressive 12-foot-tall evergreen than for other plants listed. A ladder may be required to prune this hedge.
Glossy Privet is a better choice than the photinia, but with the same look. Growing to only head high, the deep green leaves form a thick hedge that ultimately reaches a human’s average height. The waxy leaves hold moisture within the plant’s structure, resulting in a low water, low maintenance hedge with fewer bug problems than its red-tipped counterpart.
Gilt Edged Silver Berry is a new hedge plant with a native twist that rivals manzanita and grows just as tall. Bright gold edges highlight every blue leaf for a truly striking hedge. Plant it at four-foot intervals and you will have the thickest, brightest head-high privacy screen. Investment property owners use this plant because it classes up a property’s value yet is hardy enough to survive the most abusive tenant.
Mint Julep Juniper is a super hardy plant but with much better color than the variety your grandfather used as a hedge. The signature sea foam green foliage grows quickly to head high, needing little help and even less water. Of course, Northern Arizona is famous for its juniper forests so an equally hardy juniper hedge fits right in with its surroundings. This very thick hedge requires infrequent trimming to keep it perfectly manicured.
Victory Pyracanthia is an old-fashioned plant perfectly suited to an eight-foot high hedgerow. This plant has all the seasons covered for an interesting landscape. White flowers in spring form fall orange berries that birds dearly love. The fastest growing of the tall hedge plants, its thick, glossy green leaves are small and surprisingly hardy. Long, strong, sharp thorns are excellent weapons at keeping out unwanted trespassers.
Golden Euonymous is the most popular of the hedge plants. Year-round bright gold foliage appears to be delicate, but is as tough as they come. An ideal hedge, it can be sheared or left to grow into a natural form dense enough to make a good visual and sound barrier. Look to the Silver King Euonymus for the same design elements but in a silver cream color that is equally striking. In long hedgerows, feel free to mix and match the two.
Oregon Grape Holly grows quickly to six feet high with minimal care. The gold flowers that cover this plant in early spring are followed by a grape-like berry that birds love to eat. The leaves resemble English holly, but are well adapted to our wind and bright sun. Once up to size, this hedge can be cut off from all care except very infrequent watering during the heat of summer. It makes an excellent hedge along driveway entrances and property lines.
Note: Spacing is critical for a fast-filling hedge. Our arid Arizona climate seems to dwarf plants, or at least force them to grow on the small side of their natural expectations. So, use the smaller of the two spacing distances suggested on the plant tag to determine spacing for a thick hedge.
Until next month, I’ll see you at Watters Garden Center. QCBN
Ken Lain, the mountain gardener, can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his web site at www.wattersgardencenter.comorFacebook page at www.facebook.com/watters1815.
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