Need some advice

7 years ago

There is an area along the fence that separates my property from next door that is just bare and I'd like to plant some shrubs there to create a living fence. That area gets 4-5 hours of sun in the summer.

It doesnt have to be flowering bushes although that would be a plus. The most important thing is that the bushes create a nice thick fence.

Featured Answer

dirtygardener

7 years ago

What kind of fence? If it's a privacy fence, fine, but if it's chain link, you might want to talk to the neighbors before planting anything that might encroach on their side of the fence.

Also, even with a privacy fence, make sure the fence is yours, not theirs, and you're not planting on their lot. If the "pretty" side of the fence is on your side, it's their fence because the law makes you put that side to the outside. Usually, people put fences a few inches over on their side of the property, so I'd check on that.

I learned from experience that having shrubs up against a chain link fence can cause it to corrode and rust, due to the moisture from the plants. All sorts of compications to consider when dealing with neighbors and fences.

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Comments (6)

sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
7 years ago
Michelia figo/banana shrubs might work there. I love mine. I think they are very under used in N. FL. but they do well here. They have them all over the place in S Louisiana which is similar in climate to here.

Its evergreen, fragrant, can get dense and grows to 10 ft or so, maybe not as high in more shade. When we move, I plan to plant a huge hedge of them. I only have 4 now, 2 in pots, 2 in the ground.
bea (zone 9a -Jax area) thanked sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
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sharon2079
7 years ago
I have roses on both sides of my property - next to the chain link fence. You can pick out the color that you like - they come in all colors. Plus they smell great!
bea (zone 9a -Jax area) thanked sharon2079
Glenn Jones(9b)
7 years ago
Nightblooming jasmine makes a great hedge and they smell great
bea (zone 9a -Jax area) thanked Glenn Jones(9b)
bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Deb I hear you about the fence. It's not chainlink - just wire fencing with wood posts and it's my fence. Sultry great idea about the shrub. I just looked it up and I will definitely get at least one. Sharon never thought about roses and Glenn I love jasmine. The fence is long enough to plant some of each.

Thanks guys!
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
The only bad thing about Cestrum nocturnum/NBJ is they usually freeze to the ground in the winter in the Jax area. They always return and get 8 ft or more but in the winter you will have a bare spot. I would plant them along with something else..maybe place them on the ends of the hedge.

Camellias have similar requirements as banana shrubs. There are lots of colors to choose from. I believe there are a few that are fragrant out now.

Alzaleas and gardenias also have similar requirements.

The banana shrubs are fragrant in the daytime. Strong banana vanilla. They are my dh's favorite. It wafts on the breeze. The flowers aren't spectacular so you could just plant a few mixed in with other prettier shrubs.

My rose foliage doesn't stay dense enough to form a real privacy hedge, even though I love them all lol.

Confederate jasmine vines might get dense enough and I think it stays evergreen here. You could probably grow it on the fence then plant a few shrubs in front.

http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/confederate-jasmine.html

There is also Jasminum polyanthum (pink jasmine vine) which is hardy and evergreen. It only blooms in spring but wow the flowers and fragrance are sooo worth it.

https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1586/pink-jasmine/
bea (zone 9a -Jax area) thanked sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)