Native plants for landscape privacy screening
(Editor’s note: This is part of a series of articles by members of the city of Sanibel’s Vegetation Committee dealing with vegetative matters of concern to island residents. For the other articles in the series, visit www.mysanibel.com/Departments/Natural-Resources.)
It appears that clusia is taking over the island as the “plant du jour” for privacy screening. Despite its popularity, oftentimes the species utilized is not the native Clusia rosea.
There are several native plants that can serve as hedging in the landscape, and below are some of the best options to provide owners with the privacy they need, along with the low maintenance and drought tolerance they desire:
– Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco): New leaves are colored red or green, which gives more color to the landscape. Grows to 30 feet to 35 feet in height. Widely used for hedges. Trimming is needed to keep it at an appropriate height. There is also a horizontal cocoplum for lower hedge requirements.
– Florida swamp privet (Forestiera segregata), also known as wild olive: Small white fragrant flowers and tiny berries birds love. Can be trimmed low or grown higher for privacy. Drought and salt tolerant. Easy to grow. Likes full sun. Grows 10 feet to 15 feet in height.
– Firebush (Hamelia patens): Unique orange and yellow flowers. Excellent nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds. Full or part sun. Grows 12 feet to 15 feet high. Height and width can be managed with regular trimming.
– Jamaica caper (Quadrella jamaicensis): Showy two-toned leaves with white fragrant flowers that turn purple. Can be grown as a tree or shrub. Salt and drought tolerant once established. Mature height about 15 feet.
– Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides): Fragrant white flowers that lead to clusters of dark berries. Bee and butterfly attractant. Dense foliage that grows well in part shade. Grows 12 feet to 15 feet in height.
– Myrsine (Myrsine cubana): Evergreen shrub with alternate dark green leaves. Flowers and fruit on the stems. Grows 8 feet to 20 feet in height.
– Paurotis palm (Acoelorraphe wrightii), also known as Everglades palm: Paurotis grow in densely packed clusters of tall thin trunks. Fronds are fan shaped and light green in color. Dense growth pattern lends itself well to use as a privacy screen. Grows up to 25 feet in height. Prefers to grow in wet conditions.
– Simpson stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans): Fragrant leaves, small white flowers and attractive exfoliating bark. Grows up to 20 feet in height. Dense foliage that is drought and salt tolerant.
– Spanish stopper (Eugenia foetida): Narrow upright grower with fragrant white flowers and exfoliating bark. Small, rounded leaves form an attractive canopy or privacy screen. Grows from 12 feet to 20 feet in height.
– Bahama maidenbush (Heterosavia bahamensis): A slow growing shrub that gets to 12 feet high. A great alternative to cocoplum.
– Walter’s viburnum (viburnum obovatum): Dense evergreen foliage. Can be used as a small tree or shrub. Features a mass of white flowers in the spring that attract butterflies. Fall fruit attracts birds. Grows up to 20 feet in height.
– Crabwood (gymnanthes lucida): Small tree that can be trimmed low to make a great rounded privacy hedge. Thrives well in heat and poor soil. New growth is burgundy, which adds color to the landscape. Grows to 25 feet in height. The relatively unknown native should be used more often in the landscape.
The next time you find yourself needing that additional privacy, or if you just want to add a little variety and texture to your yard, please consider the native plants mentioned above. Selecting native plants over non-natives, like Clusia guttifera, creates habitat for wildlife and helps to bolster the sanctuary characteristics of our island. Also, consult with the experts at your local native plant nurseries to discuss which plants are best for the soil, light and moisture requirements.
For more information, visit www.mysanibel.com/Departments/Natural-Resources or contact the Natural Resources Department at 239-472-3700. Photos of the “Worst of the Worst” invasive exotic plants and the city’s “The Alien Invasion” brochure can also be found on the website.