do you know the name of this shrub

[mamabell]

Newt, Here's the thing... I want the hedge (possibly using the wrong word) to be tall. We put up an eight foot fence in the back yard, but the neighbors lot is so much higher than ours that it does no good. I am looking for something that will be tall enough so I don't see them and that will help block the sound when they start screaming at each other (I have two kids who can't play outside half the time because of these people). Hence why I thought about Leyland Cypress. Trees are fine, shrubs are fine. I don't know if I will prune them because I need them to be taaaalllll. I want tall and fast growing. I am so sick of having to explain why the sheriff is at their house. My kids are 6 and 9 and they need a break from the craziness! Basically this will be in the front yard on the property line.* So what do ya think? Which plant will be the best for what I need?

Mamabell

[mamabell]

Newt, forgot to mention that the neighbors have planted red tips on their side, maybe three in a flower bed, but they don't seem to be growing fast enough for my taste. In this area I hear that they grow fast. I want something that will grow faster? Is it a possible or do I just need another fence? Maybe a 12 foot one this time? haha No I want plants.

mamabell

[Newt]

Oh my, the neighbors from he!!.* I'm so sorry.* So now I'll share some secrets of how I find info.* :)* I went to google and put in the search box:
evergreen hedge + North Carolina
and found this site:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/c...rgeshrubs.html

If you look at the 'Group' column you will see an 'E' or a 'D' for Evergreen or Decidious.* Just to the right of that is the growth rate.* Don't forget to read the descriptive info.* For example the Oleander sounds interesting, but you'll read that all parts are poisonious.* Not a good idea with your kids.* In looking for evergreen and a fast growth rate I was shocked to see the Olive and the Privets we discussed listed since the site is from the North Carolina University Extension Service.* They don't even include notes on what is invasive.* For that I am disappointed.* Anyway, once I found an interesting selection, I went to google again and put the botanical (Latin) name in the search box with a plus sign and the word invasive.* You can then click on the 'cached' copy if you like to get those words highlighted so you can easily find what you are looking for without reading the entire page.

After doing that I thought maybe the Ligustrum, Waxleaf privet aka Ligustrum lucidum aka Glossy Privet, might be good as it can be grown in a tree form.* I did the second search and sadly found this site from Duke University.
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/lilu.html

So, with all that, my favorites are at the bottom.* The Viburnums are wonderful plants, feed the birds and won't take over the world.* Most are native to the US.* Another wonderful native is Wax myrtle, Southern.*

I really need to get back to work here so I'm going to let you search the Viburnums and the Wax myrtle at google.* If you get stuck just write.* I'll try and check back between chores.* I've really got to run to the store.

Oh, hold on to this site as you might be able to find some great info on many of these.* No pretty pics, but good info.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/

Newt

[Newt]

[user=1343]mamabell[/user] wrote:

Newt, forgot to mention that the neighbors have planted red tips on their side, maybe three in a flower bed, but they don't seem to be growing fast enough for my taste. In this area I hear that they grow fast. I want something that will grow faster? Is it a possible or do I just need another fence? Maybe a 12 foot one this time? haha No I want plants.

mamabell"

I didn't see this when I posted.* If the Red Tip Photinia isn't growing fast enough for you then I don't know what to tell you other then to purchase the largest plants you can for quicker screening.* There's a saying when it comes to plant growth that you probably don't want to hear.* "The first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap."* Also, Red Tips are prone to fungal problems (refer to that site I gave you with the list of plants) and they look awful very quickly.*

One other thing to keep in mind is that plants need time to establish their roots before they put out top growth.* I don't know of an instant solution that might satisfy your needs.* :?

Newt

[jsbride]

mamabell, plant all the trees, shrubs and plants you want but it will not make the noise of the neghbors go away and especailly the presence of the sheriff. First advice is to move. If that is not possible then cypress will definetly make a screen but unless you plan on building a sound wall around your property, front and back and sides, you will still be exposed to your negihbors. Good Luck.

[mamabell]

Newt, you have really given me alot to try and think about. I soooo appreciate the time you put into helping me. I think that I am leaning towards the Loropetalum because they get so big and in my case will be great. Hopefully, I won't have to buy too many of them.

JSBride, thank you for your info too. I can't move but am praying that after they get through with their lawsuit (they are suing the builder of their house) that they will move. Thanks again!

Mamabell