Have you seen anything around that you like? Get a photo and have someone identify it. That way, you'd know that it grows well in your area and that you like the way it looks. I'm surprised the HOA planted Ficus (benjamina?). It has a bad reputation in Fl especially since the whitefly infestation.

I have seen other houses near me that have clusia hedges and I like the look but the tallest I've seen them is about 6-8 feet so I would need something taller. The whiteflies killed about half the hedge and the other half hasn't been pruned in years so it has grown into 30 foot trees in some parts. I was hoping the hurricane would bring them down but they're still there.

Perhaps then clusia rosea? It's a tree, but maybe could be used and trimmed to be a hedge of sorts?

Are you sure you are allowed to go higher than that? Some municipalities have rules about it.

According to the HOA bylaws the only restrictions they have on hedges is that I can’t have one on the curb blocking view of the house from the street. Other homeowners in the subdivision have areca palms lining the back yard but they get yellow in full sun and I’m looking for something more manicured. I think I might just go with clusia and let it grow out as much as I can.

Buttonwood makes a fast-growing hedge in either the green or silver variety.

How are you going to prune a formal hedge that is 30 ft tall? I wouldn't let a manicured formal hedge get taller than I could comfortably reach on a step ladder. If you need additional height I would consider planting some trees in between the hedge or planting an informal hedge that doesn't need trimming.

For privacy hedges I like surinam cherry and coco plum.

Thanks everyone. I do have a gardening service so they take care of everything for me. I’m leaning towards podocarpus but my only concern is that they need to be spaced rather close together (1.5-2 ft) but overall I think this might be the best plant for my situation. Thanks again!

Which hedge did you finally plant? Was it the Podocarpus? How has it grown? Can you post a picture? I am looking for hedge ideas and am leaning towards Podocarpus as well; however, I am still deciding...