Looking to Plant a Hedge Row

[dfflowers]

Hello,

My back yard has a chain link fence around it and my neighbor's dog barks constantly when I am outside. I have spoken to the owner, who apologized, but he works out of town and his dog needs a place to be while he's gone all day. I would like to plant a row of some type of hedges that will grow quickly to block the dog's line of sight into my yard. Any ideas for something that will grow quickly and thickly (??). I live in Mobile, AL, so most things will grow here. I need the hedge to grow to about 6 feet high and approximately 30 feet long. Thanks for your help.

dfflowers

[backyardgardener]

I would recommend:
Leyland Cypress Trees

[Newt]

Hi Dfflowers,

With no disrespect to Backyard Gardener, I would not suggest Leyland cypress. These TREES want to grow to 60' tall or more and 25' or more wide. They soon become a maintenance nightmare for such a space.

I would recommend Arborvitae 'Little Giant'. You can read about Arborvitae at these sites. The first one has a chart with info on the different varieties.
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortn...rborvitae.html
http://www.aboutarborvitae.com/

While you are waiting for them to fill in I would suggest you attach inexpensive bamboo panels to the fence to block the dog's view.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...-8&sa=N&tab=wi

Newt

[backyardgardener]

No worries Newt... I normally suggest this tree because it grows quickly. You have to prune this tree to get a great looking hedge.

Do a search for this plant in google images, but add the word hedge to see photos on what people have done with this tree.

Backyard

[rexamus]

If your looking for a fast growing hedge a viburnum grows VERY quickly and is very attractive. It forms small clusters of white flowers throughout summer.

[Newt]

Rexamus, Viburnum is a great shrub, but I think most are going to get too big for Dfflowers. The only one that comes to mind that is evergreen would be the leatherleaf viburnum aka Viburnum rhytidophyllum.
http://www.floridata.com/ref/V/vibu_rhy.cfm

Newt

[bellybutton]

I also want to make a hedge. Mine is intended to keep the neighborhood dogs and kids out of my yard. I am not necessarily interested so much in height as I am width.

I want to use Chinese Holly. In order to determine how many plants I need, I am in the process of measuring the linear footage for the area. If I use medium-sized plants, how far apart should I place each plant? I know that they will grow into each other to form the hedge, but it seems to me that I could place them about 3' apart, as no one (in their right mind) will try to walk between these thorny bushes.

[Newt]

Hi Bellybutton,

The best way to tell how far apart to plant your shrubs is not by the size they are when you purchase them, but how wide they are expected to grow. Which variety you select will determine expected height and width. It's important to know that most plant labels give the expected mature size at 10 years of growth. It would be a good idea to look at several sites and go with the largest estimate you find.

With hollies it's important to know that crowding can lead to fungal problems. So it's best to allow some space for air circulation.

If you need sites on how to plant, mulch and water just let me know.

Newt