Hedges, hedges, everywhere

A lot of different plants are sold and used as hedges in south Florida, some are good, many are not-so-good, some are horrible. Below is a list of quality hedge plants and shrubs for use in the south Florida landscape. 

 Plants which make good sheared hedges: 

• Podocarpus - Podocarpus macrophyllus: This plant has excellent density, small leaves that take shearing well, has moderate drought tolerance when established, and suffers from few insect problems. My favorite plant for a tall formal hedge. The slow to moderate growth makes it easier on the maintenance than many others.

• Viburnum - Viburnum suspensum: Viburnum makes an excellent hedge of 3'-6' in height, but requires a width of 3 feet or more for good density.It does occasionally suffer from a dieback disease,and sometimes has problems with insects such as aphids and scales. This is a moderate growing hedge that requires regular shearing. Viburnum is not drought tolerant, and should be planted where there is regular irrigation. 

• King's Mantle - Thunbergia erecta: This plant is one of our best flowering hedges, but looks best at a height of 4'-6' tall and almost as wide. It displays its blooms nearly all year long, and is usually not troubled by insects or diseases. Thunbergia  does have a low drought tolerance and requires bright light for the best flowers. There are many cultivars with differing foliage, and flower colors in white, light blue-purple, and purple.

• Orange Jessamine- Murraya paniculata: This was previously my favorite and most planted hedge of all. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of Citrus Greening Disease in south Florida; I no longer recommend it. Aside from the Greening Disease, this plant is excellent. It makes an excellent hedge from 3' tall and up, and has a moderate growth rate. It has small leaves that take shearing well, and attractive flowers that have what is arguably the best fragrance ever. Orange Jessamine also has decent drought tolerance when established.

• Cocoplum - Chrysobalanus icaco: Cocoplum is one of our best medium to large hedges, being best at 6' or more tall and 4' or more wide. It has attractive dense leaves, bird-attracting fruit, and has the benefit of being native to Florida. It is a moderate speed grower, can grow in semi-shade or sun, and is drought tolerant when established. The 'red-tip' variety adds color. Scale insects can be a problem on this hedge.

Plants which make Good informal hedges or shrubs:

• Copperleaf - Acalypha wilkesiana: There are many different cultivars of copperleaf, some of them make excellent informal shrubs. 'Inferno' is one variety with small leaves in bronze to pink hues. Copperleafs tend to be cold sensitive, and are not very drought tolerant, so plant them accordingly.  

• Firespike - Odontonema cuspidatum: Firespike is an excellent, drought tolerant, plant for use in informal tropical landscapes. It reaches a height of about 7' in full sun, and flowers profusely all year. It is occasionally troubled by scale insects, but they rarely cause the plant much damage.  

• Leadwort - Plumbago auriculata: An excellent, drought tolerant flowering shrub. The pale blue flowers of Plumbago appear throughout the year and attract butterflies. While moderate to fast growing, it can be easily maintained at 3'-4' tall by reducing irrigation, and growing it in full sun.

• Firebush - Hamelia patens: Firebush is an excellent Florida native with clusters or orange-red flowers which attract butterflies. the standard variety is best maintained at a height over 6' tall and a width of at least 5', but dwarf cultivars are available. Firebush is drought tolerant and is usually not troubled by insects. It makes a great small tree reaching heights of about 15' in a hammock setting.