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Drought Tolerant Plants for Screens
Here are a few plants that are useful for screens, grow fast, or are
drought tolerant. Some plants have all three qualities!
Hopseed Bush (Dodonaea) - Hop Seed bushes come with
either lime green or purple leaves, about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch
wide. These drought tolerant shrubs are fast growers to about 10
feet tall and almost as wide. They take full sun to part
shade.
Their growth habit is a bit airy, the long leaves add to the lacy
feel. Hopseed can be trimmed as hedges or espaliers for a denser
effect. Once established in the garden (1-2 years) they can
survive on rainfall alone. They are perfect for the back of the
bed (where the sprinkler won't reach), along fences or as border
screens.
Italian Cypress (Cuprussus) - These plants are a
familiar staple in the city, growing along border lines as tall
screens. They grow up to 60 feet high and are generally 1-2 feet
wide. Continually trimming the tops will result in a fatter
shrub. They prefer full sun, but will tolerate part shade.
Like most cypress trees, watering requirements are low, once
established these can survive on rainfall alone.
Brush Cherry, Carolina Laurel Cherry (Prunus
caroliniana) - Another staple for quick screens. These shrubs can grow
up to 30 feet tall and 10 - 12 feet wide. They have a dense
growth habit and take well to heaving shearing as a hedge and can even
be used for topiaries. They can grow in full sun to part
shade. Once established they can survive drought
conditions. However, in desert areas they prefer less sun and
will appreciate more water in the hottest weather.
Best Time to Plant
In mild winter areas the best time to plant almost
anything is fall. You'll get cooler weather and rain. This
give your
plant time to establish a good root system. You may see some
growth on
these transplants during winter and early spring. When the
weather
warms up, my fall planted shrubs seem to explode with growth.
Their
established root system will be better able to support new growth and
keep the plant healthy.
Once plants are established it is better to give them one good soak
then a bunch of sprinkles on the soil surface every day. You want
the
water to soak all the way down to the roots. This also encourages
your
plant to develop deep roots to secure the plant and better survive
drought.
Plants that seem like a good idea at the time
- but are not!
Bamboo - Yes, they form a screen. They also form a
grove wherever they are planted in the open ground. Bamboo is
very invasive and almost impossible to eradicate. I've seen it
growing up through asphalt!
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