Pacific Wax Myrtle (CA native) for a clean privacy hedge?

9 years ago

I have a difficult situation. Need a tall, clean privacy hedge w no invasive roots to plant in a 5' wide/deep planter area between a retaining wall & pool - something that grows fast to 10'-12' (but maxes out at 15'-25'), doesn't attract bees, low litter (leaves, berries, flowers), doesn't require too much upkeep (pruning once or twice a year is all I can take) & is disease resistant. Takes full sun pretty much all day (SW facing long wall). I've crossed out: palms, bamboo, ficus, ligustrums. I read that Podocarpus Gracilior may eventually create root problems & Italian Cypress often gets a nasty bug/fungus.

I'm currently considering:

-Pacific Wax Myrtle (CA native, tough & easy, draught tolerant, grows fast & I read male shrubs don't produce berries)

-Australian Brush Cherry (Eugenia/Syzygium)

-Monterey Brush Cherry (not sure if it's the same thing as Australian Brush Cherry, both have flowers & berries, but may be sheared before they bloom).

I gotta find something out there ;)

Any input is highly appreciated.

Featured Answer

gyr_falcon

9 years ago

Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum' is a lower and slower growing cultivar, often chosen because they don't get as tall as the species. It is more for locations where owners do not want it to exceed 7-8'. Yes some will get a bit taller with time.

You are asking specific size and growing questions, but don't seem to understand that there is a variety of growth conditions that are impossible to calculate. Even individual plants, growing side-by-side with the same growing conditions, can grow at different rates. Besides the water, soil, nutrients, individual plant vigor, pruning, root systems etc. over time, no less, we don't have any way to know the quality of the nursery stock you ultimately will purchase. We can give you general guidelines, but not exact growing rates for hypothetical plants and conditions for their lifespan. No one can.

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Comments (9)

niko1414
9 years ago
I have the similar issue. Any luck ? What did you go with ?
SK
Original Author
9 years ago
I am finding out that Pacific Wax Myrtle is better suited for full sun in coastal SoCa areas, not the hotter inland where it should be planted in areas w afternoon shade.
Looks like the Monteray Bay Brush Cherry which is a cultivar of Australian Brush Cherry may b a viable option w twice a year sheering right before flowers & berries come (also will help w the common pest this plant is often afflicted with). It grows fast, has a dense pretty foliage, can be planted in full sun & is readily available.
Hope u find ur solution :)
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
9 years ago
I have a hedge of Syzygium (Eugenia) 'Monterey Bay'. This once upon a time was THE go-to plant for narrow screens in Southern California. The arrival of the Eugenia psyllid ruined a lot of great hedges--the pest ruins the foliage, causing a lot of it to drop.

Some years back the state released a whole lot of a tiny wasp that is the main predator of the Eugenia psyllid. (The wasp does not bother humans and is not even really visible without a magnifying glass.) In some areas, the predator has really taken hold and 'Monterey Bay' is an acceptable hedge once again. Where the predator has not established itself, psyllid damage may be a problem.
nancy_in_venice_ca
9 years ago
My experience with Eugenia hedges mirrors that of hoovb.

There has been some improvement from the worst of the psyllid infestation due to the predator wasps, but there are still periodic (and unsightly) set backs.
SK
Original Author
9 years ago
I'm now considering a Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum' (Waxleaf Privet). I was told it's a better "behaving" & a less messy hedge - no berries, flowers can be sheared before blooming to reduce litter into the pool (& bees) & won't require as much pruning since it maxes at 12' (vs Monterey Bay Brush Cherry which can grow 25-30' tall requiring constant pruning to keep the size in check).
My only concern is the growth rate. Need something fast growing.
** If I plant a row of 15 gal (behind the SW facing wall) how fast will it get to 10'-12'?
** Any comments how fast it grows in Los Angeles (Zone 10)?
TIA my garden buddies ☺️
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
9 years ago
There are several examples of Ligustrum hedges here. If you get the Ligustrums that are trained to be tall and narrow(ish), you can find them 8' tall for sale. 2 more feet in a year or two, if you water generously and we get winter rains. Note in the photos that there are examples of young hedges and examples of mature hedges. Young hedges will produce flowers--as the hedge matures and is sheared and re-sheared and re-sheared, flowers are rare or non-existent.
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
9 years ago
Re: the Syzygium, I was checking out an old, old plant of it in downtown Orange. At least 60 years old. Didn't have one single bit of psyllid damage. The predators are working there. My hedge has a light-to-moderate level of damage.
SK
Original Author
9 years ago
*Which grows faster: Ligustrum Japonicum Texanum (LJT) or Eugenia? *Also, I'm concerned that the LJT won't grow past 8'- I read conflicting info, some say it maxes out at 8', some say @ 10', yet some list 12'.
Who to believe?