Best Hedge Plants for Privacy...Podocarpus, Ligustrum & Dodonaea

[@briandaniels4]

Ligustrum is incredibly invasive. It’s taking over our woodlands in NC. Beautiful plant, but I’d pass on it.

[@angakingtutube]

Of these 3, I'd consider the podocarpus gracilior. I've had hedges of dodonaea in different colors, they're beautiful and very drought tolerant; however, they're SO messy when they drop their dried flowers and leaves. Then they reseed everywhere ! They're also considered highly flammable. Got rid of them when they became so unmanageable; more work than they're beautiful, sadly.

[@edwintervt]

Thank you, very important info.

[@Craigory722]

Would be cool to have some suggestions for Northern climates

[@jwdepriest]

Ya I don’t even know why this came up in my “Oklahoma” search... zone 7a doesn’t fit with any of these...

[@universalask]

Zone 6 here. I think he hates us.

[@celebratelife8436]

Very helpful and great choice, the male podocarpus trees are toxic and poisonous I had a bad experience with them had to remove 6 of them because the backyard became uninhabitable when they began releasing their poisonous pollen.

[@mgundawar]

Thanks for the video! Ligustrum seems to have invasive roots similar to Indian Laurel. I have ruled out both of these due to root issues (also some communities in San Diego won't even allow them. Also banned in few states I heard)

[@christinagillespie6811]

"If you do end up killing it, we have to have a talk." LOL.

[@valiumsurbanjungle2041]

I have a Dodonea and it definitely is drought tolerant (it does great in our mediterranean climate)!! I probably need to repot it though, it hasn't grown at all. I also think its flowers are so cute!! I also have a Ligustrum, but it's a relatively new plant, so I'll see how that goes. Thank you!!

[@BudgetPlants]

Awesome! Yeah both great plants. Maybe consider giving the Dodonaea a time release all purpose fertilizer. Might give it a little boost :) -Dom

[@valiumsurbanjungle2041]

@@BudgetPlants thank you for the advice, should I wait adding some fertilizer when the temperatures drop, we had 40°C until yesterday (we have 20°C today though, which is insane this time of the year for Athens, Greece!!!!) or it's ok to add some now?

[@wadegustovson5767]

Valium's Urban Jungle ohhh wow all the way from Athen!! Cool!! Yes I’d wait a little bit for slightly cooler weather to add the fertilizer so you don’t get any adverse affects. You MUST keep me posted on your progress! Maybe I’ll come visit one day lol. Have a good one!

[@norisa2010]

Podocarpus is expensive. In south east asia county we prefer Euginia Oleina very cheap and drought tolerance too

[@KJ-xc6qs]

Dodonaea can look raggedy, Podocarpus attracts mites, Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese or Wax Leaf Privet) is always the elegant, healthy, lush-green winner!

[@shaskell12]

Ligustrum Chinese version is a horrendous invasive, which has killed a forest on my 200 acs in Alabama and really serves no purpose except to be nearly impossible to kill

[@joeg9478]

Planted my Podocarpus hedge about three years ago and it’s doing well. My hedge is about 6 feet tall and the top is very full, however, the bottom of each bush is not as thick and full, any tips on getting the bottom of the hedge fuller? And just a note, I almost went with the dodenaea, it’s beautiful, but glad I didn’t because of the seedlings.

[@nexxterra]

cut them in the shape of a capital A, slightly thinner on top, this allows sun to get to the bottom, your problem is due to bottom shading.

[@Santee2918]

What a great video! Exactly what we were looking for. Fire your gardener - lol. And thank you for not covering your voice with loud music.

[@CampbellWindowFilm]

Excellent! We have Podocarpus gracilior and didn't understand how it could be a hedge OR a tree. Thank you for helping us with this very well done vid

[@BudgetPlants]

Heeey so glad the info was helpful! I’m here if you have any questions!

[@bgregg55]

On the Pacific Coast, Escalonia makes a fantastic hedge.

[@melaniepaykos1283]

Dodonea it is!! Loved your video

[@BudgetPlants]

Thx!!!! 🙏🏼

[@OceanSwimmer]

You didn't mention the fragrance of the Japanese Privet, which is very nice. Our neighbors tried Japanese Privet without much success (theirs died). Would our drought have caused it?

[@lillygold9753]

Thats what I thought I have one and it smells delicious

[@Wilheminia]

Here in a 10a zone of San Diego County, I planted 14 purple Dodonaea about two years ago and they have been struggling ever since. I'm about to give up on them. Early on I lost 3 to what seemed to be shock because they were transplanted in a super hot heatwave. The following winter, several were badly bent over in a severe storm and needed re-positioning. Then about 5 more have succumbed to what might've been scale? Several of became infested with scale and I am not having any success eradicating it. Many of them exploded with seed pods over the spring, and now 6 months later, some of them still haven't shed the remnants of their seed pods which makes them look really scruffy. For a few months, starting in the Fall, these plants start turning stunningly purple and all is forgiven, but getting the hedge I was attempting to construct has been a lost cause. I'm throwing in the towel...going to transition over to Fern Pine going forward.

[@Irishnickel77]

Did you plant those fern pines? I’m in SD too and searching for a solution to block out a neighbors mess of a yard

[@pennymiller2254]

Ling guestroom is also on Dr. Bergs list of natural remedies for asthma I’ve been looking for it it’s all over interesting plant multifunctional obviously

[@colin1235421]

I have 9x Dodonaea here in South Africa. We just had the worst drought of my lifetime, and I try to give them 2 to 5 liters of water about every to 10 days. After our very hot summer, 3 of them are having a really hard time.

[@BudgetPlants]

Ahhh bummer :( Maybe try doing that same amount of water but slightly more frequently… Like every six or seven days.

[@colin1235421]

@@BudgetPlants Well recently we were counting down the number of days until our taps would run dry. We were close to being the first city to run out of water (Cape Town, South Africa). So I am only using shower water within my daily water allowance until I get a rain tank.

[@BudgetPlants]

Oh wow that’s a terrible drought!! I’m so sorry to hear that :( I think California is probably not far behind.

[@IrvingNolasco]

i'm about to order a few Japanese privets, I'm very excited

[@BudgetPlants]

Awesome!! They make a great hedge...can’t go wrong with those :) - Dom

[@eddiemiranda2343]

Me either hope I can found’em here in PR

[@IrvingNolasco]

Y’all don’t ship to my location 😭😭😭

[@lillygold9753]

You will love them! They bloom in may and it smell delicious!

[@IrvingNolasco]

@@lillygold9753 turns out they don’t ship to my area 🥺

[@deborahb.277]

Helpful video, thanks.

[@BudgetPlants]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@dorenah]

The dodonaea foliage is stunning and would be a nice contrast to other greenery. Would the dodonaea do well as a privacy hedge in an area against a fence that is about 12' long and 2' deep? I was considering planting podocarpus there, but prefer the dodonaea foliage. Thanks!

[@BudgetPlants]

Sure You can definitely use it for the application you were describing. They make a fantastic hedge!

[@davidazinger5639]

you know your hedges; never heard of any of 'em. thanks.

[@brianriley9259]

What would you suggest as an edible hedge - if there is such a thing?

[@swatisquantum]

This was awesome thank you brotha!

[@BudgetPlants]

Many thanks!! 🙏🏼

[@adamsheffield4704]

I’m really surprised that Ficus Nitida (Indian Laurel Fig) wasn’t recommended. I see that planted all over LA county, sold at HD. Wax leaf privets seem to be declining in popularity.

[@BudgetPlants]

Hey Adam thanks for watching! So Ficus nitida is both good and bad...it’s good in that it grows quickly and dense. And bad because it has invasive roots and most folks don’t know the techniques to keep them tame. At some point I plan to do a vid just on Ficus nitida and chat about it more detail.

[@nadine91]

The last one is also know as flame bush or hopseed. It gets babies all over, especially near buildings. At one time in the 1990s alot of people considered them "weeds," cause they grow fast and easy. Usually find them near the desert areas of so.cal. Had some die due to choloronis in the soil. I have raised them from the size of a toothpick to about 15 feet tall..

[@barinderrai3404]

Great info. What kind of fence is that in your background.

[@BudgetPlants]

That’s a cedar T&G rough sawn 1x6 board with a semi-transparent stain.

[@BA-ef4pr]

Great video. I have 2 fern pine to plant along a fence line. How far apart from each other and how far from fence to plant? I want them to form a border. Thnx!

[@BudgetPlants]

Thanks! You can plant them about 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart, and at least 2 1/2 feet from the fence.

[@curtissharris8914]

I got a magnificent 12 foot hedge out of durantus erectus brazilian skyflower.

[@Estellamed]

What’s the difference between the Ligustrum Japonicum and Ligustrum Texacum? Are they the same? Which one grows lower? Thank you so much.

[@BudgetPlants]

Hi! Texanum has a slightly smaller leaf structure. But pretty much grows to the same height. Texanum maaaaaaybe a little smaller.

[@Estellamed]

Thank you so much for your quick response. Do you have a nursery in Southern California where I can see and buy these?

[@BudgetPlants]

My pleasure! So Budget Plants is online only.. there’s no browsing ground. But we can provide site photos of 15 gallon size plants and up for reference. Please email! [e-mail]

[@allardjansen3497]

Excellent, Thank you!!!

[@fmpphoto]

What would be the faster growing? And survive a Indiana winter

[@terraGaliciaXXIV]

Just found your channel! I’m interested in planting some privacy trees for my backyard that are modern looking and can survive a freeze. I’m located in Austin and am having trouble finding something suitable

[@BudgetPlants]

Hi! Dodonaeas can do fairly well in lower temps. If a freeze lasts too long it will destroy most plants/trees. Prunus caroliniana is a very good option for lower temps and can typically withstand some amount of freeze. Hope this helps!

[@brucejuenger9381]

What is your best pick fora privacy screen in the low desert? Full sun, resistant to wind. Ficus that everyone else seems to use?

[@BudgetPlants]

Hey Bruce, Ficus is ok, so long as it’s nowhere near any hardscape or foundations. I really like Dodonaea purpurea as it is hardy down to about 15 to 20 degrees, but can also take heat. Tecoma stans also makes a nice informal hedge. It’s hardy to about 25-30 degrees. Some varieties of Juniper can work as well. A hardy faithful hedge is Waxkeaf Privet. It’s just a good default. Hope this helps!

[@howdyitsdavid]

Sorry for a new question on an old video! I just bought six 8-10' Podocarpus Gracilior to create about a 24' foot wife privacy wall/hedge. I have a fairly narrow space to plant them (3') but they are not crazy full yet. I plan to maintain them like a hawk, trimming and monitoring their growth in order to create a solid hedge. If I plant them 4' apart (considering how mature they already are) should I plan on them getting tangled up together and creating the hedge look fairly quickly? Thanks!

[@BudgetPlants]

Hey not a problem! So for a little more instant gratification, I’d recommend 2.5 to 3’ apart (trunk to trunk). At 4’ you will still get fill-in, but will take longer. Add a couple more trees in my opinion :)

[@trinianddiana]

If you control the height to about 12-14’ in such a small space, are you able to control the roots? How evasive are the roots and will the do damage to walls or foundation of the home? Do you recommend keeping them a certain distance away from walls? Thanks, love your videos

[@driverain2]

at 4:22 in the video the plants look really close to the fence. Considering how big their potential growth can be it seems to me that I would have a crowded back side for limb development and a lop sided form once they are tall. I am installing a privacy fence and I want to do it right. I found your channel today 01.17.22 and subbed after the first video I watched..........

[@CVenza]

Do you have any information on Shiny Zy Sloma? 🤔

[@amaen9227]

Great!

[@BudgetPlants]

Thanks so much for watchin!

[@louisalmada1279]

Great video , I'm curious what would be the best privacy plant / hedge to block out neighbors and also not cause damage to my concrete slab which will be 3 feet away from where I want to plant?

[@BudgetPlants]

Thanks! So any of these would be great. These all have pretty non-invasive roots in terms of harming adjacent hardscape. If you want a taller hedge, go for the Podocarpus. The Privet is nice in terms of density. The Dodonaea is very drought tolerant and has unique foliage. Can’t go wrong with any of em!

[@louisalmada1279]

@@BudgetPlants awesome thanks for you're input and reply. Also what are you're thoughts on either a English laurel or even a evergreen / emerald green thuja ?

[@louisalmada1279]

@@BudgetPlants also another question how tall and wide do the podocarpus hedges get ? Thanks again for you're time

[@louisalmada1279]

Also just a heads up I live in the San Fran Bay Area

[@shawoo]

How about for Los Angeles. Any suggestions? Is the Ligustrum a no brainer? How quickly do they grow?

[@BudgetPlants]

Yes the Ligustrum is a fairly quick grower...good for LA and surrounding areas. I tend to prefer the Podocarpus ever so slightly over the Ligustrum. Just looks a little cleaner as a hedge plant. But either is a great choice.

[@susanbornhoft955]

What’s your thoughts on prunus Carolina for a privacy screen against a fence

[@BudgetPlants]

I really like Prunus caroliniana. It makes a fantastic hedge plant. It will give some really good height and density for privacy. If I was to pick a 4th one for the video, this would be it! -Dom

[@shiqinglu606]

Thank you! Can you recommend something slim for narrow space?

[@BudgetPlants]

I’d say Podocarpus would be a great choice :)

[@shiqinglu606]

@@BudgetPlants thank you!

[@rifleman542]

how long does the dodonaea take to grow 10ft or more? We planted 10 of them 3 ft apart about 8 months ago and they were approximately 4-5ft. tall at that time, 8 months later they don't seem to be growing that fast, maybe they grew about half a foot, we do water them twice or thrice every week

[@BudgetPlants]

Hey! Typically they might put on 12-16 inches a year. Under less than optimal conditions, they may not have as good a growth rate. Maybe check the soil...it might be leached of nutrients, so a time release fertilizer might be in order :)

[@rifleman542]

@@BudgetPlants thanks will definitely try that out especially since they do get plenty of natural daylight, most likely its the soil as you said

[@stardustgirl2904]

I have had hopseed for 16 year's there really beautiful, the have this informal look like it could also be planted in the THUNDER MOUNTAIN area of Disneyland ! They Grow Fast, so that's also a huge Plus, if you're looking to block some neighbors off! And they are very DROUGHT tolerant, just a lot of bang for the buck !$$$

[@tofmanagement]

Thanks for the video! We are in SoCal and looking for a privacy hedge. Are these examples pet friendly?

[@BudgetPlants]

These are known to have some toxins that may be harmful if ingested.

[@Chasingwondersfam]

Hi! I have podocarpuses (blue ice) that doesn’t seem to grow tall, should I trim it to stimulate growth? Not sure why to do. Thanks!

[@BudgetPlants]

Hey! Could be due to a few factors… These trees like rich soils, so it could be the soil may be didn’t have proper amendment upon planting. Lack of nutrition will cause a stunted growth. Also, trees that are in more shaded conditions will also have a negative affect on growth. Lack of consistent water could also be an issue. Along with those factors, selective pruning definitely does help stimulate growth.

[@Chasingwondersfam]

@@BudgetPlants thanks for your response! 👍🏼

[@dustybritches3723]

Dude just found your channel and....WOW! Lovin It and also lovin the dodonea! I’ve never seen this tree before now..I gotta have some! Do you ship to Kentucky? I’m on your website as I type! I am also a lover of the privet hedge too! I’m looking to get rid of a 6 foot privacy fence in my yard and I want this to do it! Thanks a heap!

[@BudgetPlants]

Wow thanks for the compliments!! Super appreciative. Yeah unfortunately we do not ship to Kentucky, but you may be able to find some variety of Ligustrum over there! I hope your project goes great! - Dom

[@frankiewest3755]

Thanks for your videos!!!! We opted for the purple hopseed for our backyard privacy hedges. We have about 80 feet of fence to cover...nursery suggested about 40 pieces, is that too much?

[@BudgetPlants]

Hi! Thanks for watching! I would definitely suggest to space them out a bit more. Over 80 feet, I’d go with 30-35. Any more and it’s just unnecessary. They will grow together over time and give the same look. Hope this helps!

[@chrisf4055]

Can either podocarpus or Japanese privet grow in a container? I have a small patio all concrete and need to privacy screen 1 small neighbor window

[@BudgetPlants]

As long as the pot is pretty large it could work. I’d consider a pot at least 18” diameter and 20” tall.

[@nm9533]

Hi we want to screen off a neighbors house which is very close. We are on a hill so their house is a bit higher than ours. Need something that will grow as fast as possible and as high as possible. Also we are in. Roth California so needs to do well with no water.. Should we go with podocarpus or silver sheen? Thanks a lot.

[@BudgetPlants]

Bothe of these options would not do well in your planting zone. I’d go with Prunus caroliniana. Forms a dense hedge and will get up to about 18+ feet.

[@kf9233]

Nice BUT what zones can they grow in? Take note that growing zones have changed a little.

[@BudgetPlants]

Zone info is in the video under each plant title.

[@RealRiders]

A lot of these work in Phoenix, AZ

[@bobg1285]

Great info on the purple hop seed. Just need some clarification on plant spacing in LasVegas. If Hopseed bush gets 6’ to 8’ wide why do you suggest planting them 3 feet apart? Starting my project next week and planning to use 15gal plants so spacing is a concern. Thanks

[@BudgetPlants]

Hey! So if you want to use them as a solid hedge, plant them about 4’ on center. Now if you want more of an individual specimen look, plant them anywhere from 10-12’ apart. Good luck on the project!

[@mrdev5281]

2 out of 3 ain't bad

[@hadlee189]

Idk what happened....We planted about 7 new 10 gallon Beautiful Podocarpus trees in my backyard, during a heatwave in the CA. Central Valley. They got scored, yellow turning brown leaf's, they look dried out, & look like they are going to die. No matter how much water we give them, they do not perk up. I have read you need to put a root stimulator on the root ball, & plant with peat moss. I don't believe the Landscaper did this. Btw, does your Company ship to NorCal?

[@angelhinojosa3856]

I bought my Podocarpus about two months ago they’re still in the 5 gallon bucket I’ve been watering every other day and they’re starting to die do you have any suggestions I live in a zone nine area

[@OrganicAuthority]

Hi how far apart should you plant the podocarpus to create a screen/wall? And will it thrive in partial shade? Thank you!

[@BudgetPlants]

Hey there! I like to plant Podocarpus about 3 feet apart (measuring trunk to trunk) for a privacy hedge. If you are using 5 gallon sizes, maybe a little closer like 2.5 fee. And yes Podocarpus will do ok in partial shade. Thanks for watching! - Dom

[@lulettepolintan4365]

Thanks for the informative video! How far from a cinder block wall should the Podocarpus be planted?

[@BudgetPlants]

Sure thing! I’d plant them no closer thank 30” from a block wall. If it will be grown into a full shade tree, then give it more space, at least 5’.

[@lulettepolintan4365]

@@BudgetPlants Thank you!

[@Blitzonu01]

@@BudgetPlants How do you keep the Podocarpus as a hedge and not turn into a full grown tree? I planted a few next to my cylinder block wall thinking they were gonna grow into privacy hedge and in turned into tree

[@BudgetPlants]

It must be trimmed regularly to keep it at a specific height and width. I’d say on average, it’s keep at 7-12’ tall by 24-30” wide.

[@acdnintheusa]

Thank you for the insightful info. I’m in search for a good pleaching candidate. I’m in zone 9. Do you like any of these three for that application? If not, any recommendations? Thx.

[@RVBadlands2015]

Will the hop bush take clay soil.

[@jmccapi3811]

Like the video, I like the Japanese Privet however dont think its tall enough. Im trying to screen neighbors 2nd floor apt view to my entire back yard. Was also looking at the Indian Laurel Column but im planting them near an 8ft cinder blcok fence. I live in Los Angeles CA. Do you recommend either one? Any advise would be appreciated.

[@BudgetPlants]

Thanks! So the Indian Laurel has some nice attributes in that it grows tall and very fast, but it comes with a MAJOR downside...extremely invasive roots. If you were to continuously prune it to keep it at a height of maybe 8 to 10 feet or under, that would help keep the root system at bay, but if it’s anywhere close to that block wall I would look in a different direction. Take a look at Podocarpus gracilior. Hope this helps! - Dom

[@kbretecher]

I want to build a podocarpus privacy hedge. I bought 2-3 feet high podocarpus and planted them 2 feet based on what I saw on the internet. However, my gardener just told me that it was a mistake and I need to plant them 1 foot apart. Is he right? The budget is obviously not the same. Will my 2-3 feet high podocarpus, being 2 feet apart, work for a privacy hedge? How much time will it take more or less to have a 5-6 feet high hedge? thank you for your help!

[@BudgetPlants]

You are right on with a 2 foot spacing. Any closer and the root systems of each plant will compete for water and nutrients...so fire that gardener lol 😂 Podocarpus can put on about 14-18” a year depending on site conditions, so you should see decent fill-in around 3-4 years of growth.

[@kbretecher]

@@BudgetPlants Thank you so much for your answer. Will follow your advice. Greatly appreciated.

[@albertcantoran6367]

Excellent video Dominic. Would the purple leaf hop bush be your choice for a hedge to use against your neighbor's wall for privacy? My cinder block wall is only about 6 feet tall and provides very little privacy between my neighbor and I. This video was very helpful especially bc I live in southern California.

[@BudgetPlants]

Hey thanks for watching! Yeah the Hop Bush will definitely get you coverage up to about 10-12 feet. However, it might not get as dense as the others. So if you want a little bit of a lacy look above the wall, the Hop is the way to go. Now if you want a more dense look that you can prune more box-like, the other two would be your best bet. Hope this helps!

[@jenmv3483]

Would 3 feet apart be the same for the small 5 gallon size we have of the maki yew? Some say water daily new planted, whaff are your thoughts?

[@BudgetPlants]

Yea 3’ apart is great! Yes water daily for 4-5 days, then taper back as needed based on weather, soil, environment etc.

[@jenmv3483]

@@BudgetPlants will these get lots of spiders, if do what recommend spray them with please?

[@BudgetPlants]

It may get some as they continue to grow more dense. Using a pressure nozzle every once in a while helps to clear our mites, spiders and other small critters.

[@ZhentaoSun]

Can Purple Hopseed Bush be planted now in North California? Do is it better to wait until spring next year?

[@BudgetPlants]

Hi! Fall or Spring is best. But in Nor Cal, I think temps are not as high as in So Cal so it may be ok.

[@mauricejoseph8631]

I have a wall of Dodonaea viscosa Green, about 12' they get way to many yellow flowers and now they look dead but rest is green, the back side against the wall is pretty woody, any ideas to keep the flower under control and what to do with the woody side most of the leaves are on the outer part not much inside of hedge, thanks

[@BudgetPlants]

Hey! Ok so for the woody growth, it may need a hard pruning. Cut back dead branches back almost to the main center stem (if it has one, if not, then just close to the center). Shape the rest of the plant a little so it doesn’t look lop-sides or misshaped. A hard pruning should promote new foliage. But probably wait until Fall for this. As for the flowers ... that’s just what they do :)

[@deezie78]

oh these are only for california? I am in new england and really wanted to get all three of these. Can you suggest something for my zone? I am in CT. thanks deezie

[@genniferbaston4529]

Can you do a video on zones 1-6 that are good hedges

[@RVBadlands2015]

This is more of the southwest. There’s a lot of videos for the coast gardening out there.

[@genniferbaston4529]

I live in the Panhandle of Texas

[@michelleduenez2167]

What would you recommend for 5-6 feet privacy on a sloped backyard

[@BudgetPlants]

The Ligustrum texanum would be my initial thought. Dodonaea would also be a good choice.

[@miss415x]

I think ligustrum has fragrant flowers at night.

[@wcastellon5445]

Which one of them is best to be in a pot?

[@BudgetPlants]

I’ve seen Ligustrum do really well in pots, especially as a topiary.

[@AnnetteOT10]

Hello, I just saw a ligustrum on my street and I loved it but I read its invasive. I really want to cover my back wall as I can see my neighbors not to clean yard but I do have some trees along that wall that dont provide screening as the trunk is super long. Anyway, will the ligustrum affect the near by well established trees?

[@BudgetPlants]

Ligustrum invasiveness varies by region as well as by species. In Southern CA it does not pose a large of a threat as it might in other parts of the country where it’s labeled as an invasive plant. The L. texanum is among the less invasive Privets. L. sinense, L. japonicum and L. vulgare are among the most invasive. All privets get a bad reputation because of these species they have become problematic. L. texanum is still a decent selection for a hedge plant in the So Cal region. L. ‘Golden Ticket’ has also been developed as a non-invasive cultivar, but availability may be an issue.

[@AnnetteOT10]

@@BudgetPlants thank you! My local nursery did have L Texanum :)

[@BudgetPlants]

Excellent!! That’s a good one :) Feel free to hit me up for any other questions. Here to help.

[@sfolapaz]

Question: In other videos you talked about Pittosporum. I live in Northern CA. When is the best time to prune these back. They have grown about 6 feet wide. I want to slim the hedge to about 3 ft wide. Thanks!

[@BudgetPlants]

Hi Lalo, typically the best time to prune Pittosporums are in early Spring. However, Silver Sheens can take to regular pruning. I would just stay away from heavy pruning in the heat of Summer and coldest parts of Winter. If you want a 3' wide hedge, trim them back to 2' to allow for more dense branching growth. Then over time, the hedge can be shaped regularly at 3'. Hope this helps!

[@ddo920]

How far apart do you plant ligustrum for a privacy fence? Does it grow I'm clay soil?

[@BudgetPlants]

About 2.5’ on center. It can tolerate some mild soil.

[@dinahcastellano115]

Great video! How far apart should I plant the texanum?

[@BudgetPlants]

Thanks u!!! So for a nice hedge, I’d go about 2.5 to 3’ apart. Good luck!

[@socalbenny4728]

Hello. I was wondering if you can suggest the hop bush for planting in the high desert of socal? I have a 100 ft concrete block wall that I want to cover up, how far apart should I plant these and how far from the wall should I plant ? Thanks in advance.

[@BudgetPlants]

Hmmm higher desert is tough...the Dodonaea is hardy down to about 15 degrees, but below that it might die. Some areas of CA’s high desert hit those degrees so that’s a tough call. You might want to try planting one first and see how it does through the winter. If you do decide to use then, plant them about 3’ apart. That will give you good coverage. Keep me posted!

[@socalbenny4728]

Thanks for replying...could you please suggest any bush or small tree alternatives to the Dodonaea that I could plant that will be ok for the Victorville area.

[@jamesmatthew7107]

Hey man, I’m new to all of this and I have had an idea for a privacy hedge. How well/ would this work at all: If I use plant number 2, the Japanese one, as the main hedge but every 3 meters ( 20 feet? I’m not familiar with the imperial system) I plant number 3 ( the purplish looking one) The idea I had was to have a column of colour/plant separation just to spice up the hedge. Would they be able to grow together and would it form into a decent privacy hedge?

[@CDPMATH]

James Matthew would love an answer too

[@l19ramos]

What if any wild animal prevention if any does any mentioned help with?

[@Andrew-hp1yj]

How do I keep the podocarpus and ligustrum at about 7 feet high each? Will the trunk of the tree get to big?

[@BudgetPlants]

When they’re young, selectively prune the top branches with hand pruners. Then as they start to age and fill out, use either mechanical or hand shears if you want a more even ‘boxed’ look. The more they’re pruned, the longer the trunk of each plant will stay small, but will ultimately get about 6” in diameter give or take. The Podocarpus will tend to get larger than the Ligustrum, so if mature trunk space is a long term concern, the Ligustrum is the way to go. Hope this helps!

[@Tracy-tu1tc]

Hello, I live in zone 9 in SoCal (Acton)and need a quick privacy hedge, I read the hop bush is highly flammable, can you confirm. Also, we have dogs are all three types ok for pets?

[@BudgetPlants]

So Dodonaea is a little more flammable than other plants because of its woody stems. The others do have a certain amount of toxicity to them, I personally have never had a client have any issues that I know of, but I know there has been reports of pets getting sick from ingesting parts of these plants. Alternatives that may be safe for dogs would be Photinia or Eugenia. I can’t guarantee that these are in fact safe for every pet so individual research should be done.

[@Tracy-tu1tc]

Thank you

[@kingdomcitizen4788]

Good information thnx

[@BudgetPlants]

Thanks for watchin:)

[@djpumpkyn]

Can anyone help with suggestions for privacy hedges in Utah, Salt Lake City, like Zone 5 😟

[@AviSLeigh]

Michael Pumpkyn Nielsen I’m zone 5 as well. We use a lot of arborvitae, juniper, some hollies, lilac, climbing roses, boxwood, euonymus, pines, trumpet vine, Virginia creeper. Keep in mind some can be invasive or take a lot of upkeep! But all can be beautiful!

[@shuangsvlog7955]

Hi what’s the difference between recurve lingustrum with Japanese lingustrum? Our landscaper planted the recurve lingustrum around our property and we are still waiting for them to full grown.

[@BudgetPlants]

Hey! So the Ligustrum recurvifolium is also Japanese Privet, but the leaves have a curled look to them. They should grow pretty quickly...maybe provide a time-release fertilizer for them. Hope this helps!

[@shuangsvlog7955]

Budget Plants Thank you so much for the info!

[@BudgetPlants]

Any time!

[@futbol1972]

looking for a low maintenance privacy tree, shrub, pine or something to put along my 173 ft fence.. I live in the city in a corner lot.

[@BudgetPlants]

Podocarpus gracilior is always a great choice!

[@Richp20]

I live in San Bernardino, Ca, would the Ligustrum be a good fit? We are Zone 10

[@BudgetPlants]

Hi! Yes it shouldn’t be a problem… Just be aware that some areas of San Bernardino get pretty cold, and the Privet is hardy down to about 15-20 degrees. If there are several days in a row that are colder than that, it will show some frost burn and could seriously damage the plant. I’d be a little concerned about more high-desert areas where the weather is a little more harsh. But in the flatlands of San Bernardino you should be fine :)

[@peupeuguy310]

Hello , how fast of a grower is the Fern pine 🌲?

[@BudgetPlants]

You might see about 18-20” annually. But this is highly dependent on site conditions...soil, sun/shade, fertilizer usage, etc.

[@Frank020]

Small shade trees for a 1/2 backyard in zone 8 high desert antelope valley? 105 -- 28 deg

[@BudgetPlants]

Maybe consider a Palo Verde variety? Cercidium ‘Desert Museum’...or maybe Euphorbia cotinifolia. Two very good options for you!

[@Frank020]

@@BudgetPlants thanks someone also recommended desert willow.

[@Frank020]

@@BudgetPlants thanks. I've seen the desert museum. Oleander vs the Japanese hedge? I have both. Is oleander invasive?

[@SethMaxwell]

Nice job!

[@BudgetPlants]

Seth Maxwell Thanks brotha!

[@hauzofgeryz1245]

Is podocarpus fast or slow growing?

[@BudgetPlants]

It’s considered a moderate rate grower. It could put on 12 to 24” in a year depending on site conditions.

[@Vietnam07]

Is podocarpus macrophyllus the same to use for hedges?

[@BudgetPlants]

It’s very similar to the P. gracilior but not as common. But has similar characteristics and I’d say would also make a good hedge plant :)

[@ricardofariaz8436]

Subscribed! What plant would you recommend for a privacy screen around the pool. I’m concerned about the roots. I have about 4-5 foot spacing between the pool and where I want to plant the hedges.

[@BudgetPlants]

Thanks!! The Ligustrum would be a decent choice for around a pool... not too much leaf litter. Just be careful if anyone in the household is allergic to bees as it may attract a few when in bloom.

[@ShohelDjayaBonsai]

what is a good soil for podocarpus planting..?

[@BudgetPlants]

Hey! Soil needs to be well-drained with a slightly acidic ph. So mixing in a little Azalea mix is a good idea. If your soil is heavier on clay make sure to use amendment. Using a time release fertilizer is helpful too. Hope this helps!

[@ShohelDjayaBonsai]

thank you so much bro..🙏

[@leticiaurbach1720]

Which ones will grow well in new mexico?

[@BudgetPlants]

These might not be the best selections for NM. The only one might be the Dodonaea as it is hardy down to about 10 degrees f. however, it would potentially get damaged below that.

[@EstebanBenitesFilms]

Subscribed!

[@BudgetPlants]

+Esteban Benites Cheers! 🍻

[@ritagaston1556]

What region are these for. We don’t know where you are.

[@BudgetPlants]

Hi Rita, thanks for watching! These are more for zones 8-11, warmer climates. If you see in the video, I put the plant name and the zone range under it. Hope this helps! Dom

[@richardb4787]

I had thought of bamboo.

[@JessieJansen61]

Dodanae mine too

[@skiz8848]

thanks justin trudeau

[@AD-bc2es]

Can they grow in pot

[@BudgetPlants]

All these can do ok in a pot, so long as there is good drainage and enough room for the roots to spread… I recommend at least twice its original nursery pot size.

[@pvanroos]

What about ficus nitida?

[@BudgetPlants]

Ficus nitida is a popular hedge plant because it grows super fast, and covers quickly. The downside is that the roots are very invasive, and if not managed, can destroy surrounding pipes, hardscape etc. But can be effective in the right application.