Help hide this!!! Need wind tolerant natural screen, Gulf Coast

8 years ago

HELP HIDE THIS!!!! Need natural screen recommendations for Gulf Coast climate with constant wind: unblocked wind off the water from the N/NE winters and also wind from S all other seasons; some salt spray with very high winds only; need heat & snaps of below freezing tolerant; need narrow canopy & safe root system near house foundation. Tropical storm and hurricane safe (obviously within reason). Not cedar family. Would like to block view of neighbor’s older house past 2nd story if possible.

I had transplanted some variegated ginger from another residence (mature parent plant over 10’ tall; GORGEOUS) to use as a natural screen at current residence. The constant wind off the Gulf has kept the ginger at max height 2.5-3’ for 2 years. I’m sad.

Also up for structural ideas...but wind/salt air/harsh weathering environment/hurricane-storm conditions limit things. Fence originally neighbor’s, but iron is in very poor condition so probably could be ditched if I had other options to propose...or could just place other options in front of existing on my side.

Featured Answer

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

8 years ago

Would you be willing to make the bed deeper so that you could fit in a couple of layers of plants? That would make it more effective as a screen and also allow something perhaps less interesting at the back that might give your gingers enough shelter to grow taller.

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Comments (12)

apple_pie_order
8 years ago
What grows well in the neighbors' yards? Walk around on a weekend and talk to whoever is out.

A traditional wind-slowing wall in the desert is open concrete blocks. I'm not sure that it would be suitable in a hurricane-prone area, but you might check with professional fence builders in your area.
Kim in PL (SoCal zone 10/Sunset 24)
8 years ago
Clumping bamboo, Chamaerops humilis, or Sabal palmetto. Keep the gingers too.
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PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
8 years ago
Try Oleander or Southern Wax Myrtle
hummingalong2
8 years ago
Trimmed Ligustrum.
Milly Rey
8 years ago
Ligustrum = waxed myrtle. I think it would tolerate wind better than the tall oleander does.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
Watch out for the use of common names!! Ligustrum is commonly known as 'privet'; evergreen forms are frequently referred to as wax leaf privet. Wax myrtle is an entirely different shrub, Morella (formerly known as Myrica,) and there are various species native to different regions.

btw, all three shrubs (oleander, ligustrum and myrica) are equally wind tolerant and all are recommended for beachside plantings. And they all get about the same height.
PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Ligustrum (Ligustrum japonica) & Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera) are 2 different plants that will accomplish the same task. Oleander is highly salt & wind tolerant.
lindshammer
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you all!

Is there a “better” variety of oleander to choose? Can I get the height without the massive spread? Will research the other bushes! Thanks for all recommendations!

@NHBabs I wish I could deepen the bed, but this is the only access point for heavy equipment for backyard & seawall repairs; need to keep the accessibility. Did think for layered planting could do a tall/long trellis (equivalent to vertical poles w horizontal wire to be completely covered w vine?) with Confederate Jasmine (in wind protected areas it loves it here...so wondered if it could handle the unprotected crazy N wind). Although, then would have to make sure trellis/structure can handle the winds & weathering...so a single stick in the ground planting would be easier...ps: I’m determined to have my ginger in this yard somewhere, even if it can’t be here!

The concrete windblocks are so interesting! (An art form!) I’ve never seen them down here!
PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
8 years ago
More ideas
Milly Rey
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Ha! They called ligustrum “waxed-leaf myrtle” where I used to live, when they didn’t call it ligustrum! I never heard it called privet until I moved east, and then I was like, “so that’s what the brits are on about...,”

It’s invasive where I live now but was bulletproof and NOT invasive where I used to live in the Gulf Coast. I have never grown myrica.

Once oleander gets more than 8-12 feet tall, a big wind can take it out. You have to pick your variety or prune it. We lost ours (as did others) in a storm. I’m not conversant on varieties. :(
Andrew Norris
8 years ago
Crepe myrtles are wind tolerant, heat, sun, and cold tolerant, drought tolerant, and widekey used, but I’m not certain of salt tolerance. I’m imagining they can handle what you got there. There are several sizes to choose from and using taller to shorter varieties would be a stunning view. The down side is that they are deciduous in Winter. The plus side is that the Queen Crepe is not fully deciduous and grows new leaves before shedding the old ones.