Landscaping - Hedges instead of fencing

Started by TracieS • 9 replies • 2450 views

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TracieS (Colorado)
Posts: 460

Posted:

We're planning on ripping out most of the common area fencing to replace it with nice, easy to maintain hedges.

Any ideas on good shrubbery? One thing...we would rather not have evergreen (juniper, etc). Slow growing would be nice...water sipper would be great...

Thoughts?

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

I can't help because I would be opposed to such a move.

Sorry.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Tracie,

What type of fence are you talking about? Easy to maintain shrubbery still means there IS some maintenance. Would that maint (landscaper fees + water) cost less than what it now costs to maintain the fence? Even a wooden fence only needs to be resealed every year or so; most shrubbery needs to be trimmed monthly to look nice.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Tracie,

Google or Bing---Native Shrubs of Colorado. Less water, easy maintenance and hardiness will be the key to selecting what is best for your area. The U.of Colorado developed the Xeriscaping system so they will be great for advice.

TracieS (Colorado)
Posts: 460

Posted:

For those who have questions...

We have one open common area, and the fences are really horrific to look at, and the gate door hardware needs adjusting/replacing/fixing constantly. The costs to replace the fencing with sturdy fencing is pretty high, and composite materials are out of the price range, even if we stagger fence replacements over a period of years.

Individual owners will still have fences to keep their private property just that...private.

We just want to tear down the 6 foot wood slat fence (where possible), and make it look greener/fresher. Yes, hedges need to be trimmed/maintained/watered...but we think the overall look and cost is better for our association. Also, we have a full winter here, with blizzards, so our actual "growing" season is really only May-Oct.

Also, I'm checking with the utility company (they maintain several xeriscape example gardens around the city), but I was just hoping someone would post something like..."Oh, we looked, and we found this one hedge variety, and it's amazing! It doesn't become a spider keeper like juniper, grows slower than lilac, and even flowers at some point in the year."

Some of the decisions our association makes aren't just bottom line decisions. We're also trying to model good environmental stewardship and increase visual/curb appeal for prospective owners/renters, which includes adding greenery and trying to eliminate things that will wind up in the landfill. Not in our documents, but it's how the current BOD feels.

It's a delicate balancing act...

Thanks!

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Tracie,

You said-

"but I was just hoping someone would post something like..."Oh, we looked, and we found this one hedge variety, and it's amazing! It doesn't become a spider keeper like juniper, grows slower than lilac, and even flowers at some point in the year."

And I said to look into the U.of Colorado native plants for your area and we have few Colorado posters excepth for RogerB. I cannot give you good examples of what grows specifically there as I am Florida and Tennessee, neither one of which matches your growing climate.

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

Find a good landscpae architect from a good nursery to draw you up a plan. You will have to pay for the plan, but it would be well worth it. Be sure you get a guarantee on the bushes. Consider different varieties of the same tree/bush and stagger them in two rows.

Good luck. I think you made a good decision.

RickW (Illinois)
Posts: 169

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By DonnaS on 08/11/2009 9:29 AM

Tracie,

You said-

"but I was just hoping someone would post something like..."Oh, we looked, and we found this one hedge variety, and it's amazing! It doesn't become a spider keeper like juniper, grows slower than lilac, and even flowers at some point in the year."

And I said to look into the U.of Colorado native plants for your area and we have few Colorado posters excepth for RogerB. I cannot give you good examples of what grows specifically there as I am Florida and Tennessee, neither one of which matches your growing climate.

Donna,

Excellent advice! We have 56 units and each one has junipers for privcay on one side of their patios. They tend to overgrow onto the patio and in the last few years bagworms have killed some completely. Some here have suggested replacing them with a fence, preferably the non-wood type for maintenance reasons. I've been against this for the reasons Tracie stated. I'm concerned about the overall green effect of the complex and also interested in the affect this will have on property issues.

I'll definitely be doing some landscape research thanks to your comments.

KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665

Posted:

I would recommend you do two things. First, call your county extension office. They will have someone with information on what grows well in your area. Second, follow Susan's advice and go to a good nursery. They will help you plan out what you want for "free."

I put that in quotes because they are expecting to sell you the plants they helped pick out. But again, you will pay for the plants anyway and generally their plants are better quality then found at Lowes and Home Depot.

You can also often get free design service through companies that install the landscape if you are going to pay for installation. Keep in mind that you will not have the same effect as the fence right away. In fact, it will probably take a number of years before they offer the same privacy level.

On the other hand, perhaps you could go for a more open look anyway if you are looking to hide something anyway.

TracieS (Colorado)
Posts: 460

Posted:

The fencing I'm replacing is 6 foot wood slat fencing that makes the common area into a little courtyard. I COULD tell you the types of things we've found in this very secluded (obviously attractive at night to amorous couples), but I'll spare you in case you're eating breakfast. People also put their kids in there, then go back to their house, or leave their dogs in there without supervision.

I'm in an actual neighborhood, with a 7-11 right down the street and a liquor store across the street. We just don't feel that the common area needs that type of privacy.

There's actually a plant nursery next to the liquor store, and I wonder if I could work out an agreement...something like discount on plants if we put a sign up that the plants are from them...

Xeriscape gardens and Univ of Colo Extension, here I come!

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