The Narrow Hedge

When a 6’ fence isn’t cutting it (or isn’t allowed), and space is limited, we can create privacy with plant material. Here are 3 of of my go-to plants for the narrow hedge. Keep in mind that faster growing plants give privacy sooner, but require more maintenance. Slower growing plants will require significantly less maintenance over time.

 

Photo Credit: Jeff Wortham

Podocarpus gracilior / Fern Pine

Sun: Full/Partial
Water: Low/Medium
Growth Rate: Fast
Uniqueness: 0/10

Notes: Look around your neighborhood in San Diego county and you will see P. gracilior somewhere nearby. It wants to be a 50’ tall monster tree. That works to your advantage in terms of getting privacy sooner. And works against you in terms of long term maintenance requirements. It requires thoughtful pruning to really look amazing. Poorly cared for P. gracilior hedges look particularly scraggly in my opinion.

Here is an excellent guide to proper maintenance.

Photo Credit: Pro 1 Design

Myrica californica / Pacific Wax Myrtle

Sun: Full
Water: Low
Growth Rate: Fast
Pro: Native + Feeds Birds

Notes: This native shrub is pretty versatile. Takes well to shearing, or can be left to be a wide and dense shrub. I haven’t used it or seen it enough different settings to guarantee success, but my initial impression is that it is pretty darn reliable near the coast, or in one of our many canyons. Might be tricky further inland. I can usually find this in smaller sizes (5g, even 1g sometimes), which can make it a very affordable solution relative to 15g Podocarpus.

Photo Credit: Kiefer Nursery

Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Maki' / Shrubby Yew

Sun: Full/Partial/Shade
Water: Low/Medium
Growth Rate: SLOW
Claim to fame: A true low maintenance hedge.

Notes: This is a great solution for a true forever home without pressing privacy needs. Tops out at 8-10’, but takes a long time to get there. Tolerates shade pretty well, also happy in full sun. It is hard to overstate how little maintenance this hedge will need compared to it’s older cousin P. Gracilior.

  • If a hedge doesn’t have to be so narrow, and won’t require regular sheering, I’m a big fan of our native Rhus integrifolia (Lemonade Berry).

  • If you’re thinking about Bamboo… don’t. It works for some people, but unless you are able to create significant root barriers and are comfortable with near constant leaf drop, it’s a hard choice to defend.

The above notes are specific to my experiences in San Diego county where we average 10-14” of rain a year.