Fast Growing Tropical Shrubs & Trees (flower, palms, Ferns, Hibiscus)

[CaseyWilkening]

Here are the conditions:

• Putting in a back yard pool
• I took down the existing fence on one side (access for diggers) and do not plan to replace with a new fence; will keep that side open
• Would like to plant a privacy hedge on the side without a fence; hedge should be dense to discourage crawling/walking through; maybe even have "prickers"; and we would like to augment hedge with tropical trees such as white bird of paradise, and/or banana trees in front of hedge.

So, to that end, what type of flowering hedge, tropical trees are fast growers that would serve to provide a good deal of privacy between homes?

[Janecj]

I used to live in S. Florida and we put in areca palms (sp?).. they grow pretty densely and I think it was pretty quick. We also had hibiscus as a hedge. but it didn't seem to be as dense.

[riveree]

Podocarpus (yew) is dense and often used as a hedge. Also Lady Palm.

Both are tropical-looking, but they don't flower.

Bougainvillea has thorns and flowers, and will eventually grow big and can be shaped like a hedge, but it takes some time.

Maybe a mixed border would give you the look you want?

[harry chickpea]

First, you need to check with both zoning and your insurance company about not having a fence. I'm almost positive you'll find that in an accident at the pool, you would be held liable and your insurance company would deny the claim because you removed the fence and didn't replace it. Zoning would undoubtedly fine you once they discovered the defect.

IIRC, current requirements in FL are a 40" or 48" minimum height chain link or better completely surrounding a pool, and there may be restrictions on gate and door latches as well.

Stay away from arica palms. They are messy, create tons of dead fronds and seed stalks, and can die back and spread at the same time. Yuuck! A mixed planting would seem to be best. Elephant ears, ferns, the real bird of paradise plants, and maybe a passionfruit vine over the fence.

[elston]

Originally Posted by riveree

Podocarpus (yew) is dense and often used as a hedge. Also Lady Palm.

Both are tropical-looking, but they don't flower.

Bougainvillea has thorns and flowers, and will eventually grow big and can be shaped like a hedge, but it takes some time.

Maybe a mixed border would give you the look you want?

Bougainvillea can be messy near a pool and the spent flower bracts blow around and can be a chore to clean out of the pool. I wouldnt plant one near the pool. (Now I live in the north east.....that little piece of info is irrelevent for me.)

[teatime]

Yep, most cities/towns require a pool to be fenced in. Children are attracted to pools and can "invite themselves" and come in when you're not home. You don't want a tragedy. Also, many animals find pools attractive, as well!

[riveree]

Originally Posted by elston

Bougainvillea can be messy near a pool and the spent flower bracts blow around and can be a chore to clean out of the pool. I wouldnt plant one near the pool. (Now I live in the north east.....that little piece of info is irrelevent for me.)

I didn't read the original post as if the hedge was going to be right against the pool, I thought it was back a bit - it sounded to me like the hedge was going where there used to be a privacy fence between the house and the neighbor's house.

But yes, I agree, if the location is right up against the pool, that changes my recommendations.