CA myrtle, lilac, pepperwood-info/ideas for native screen

I am looking for shrubs and/or grasses that will provide an evergreen privacy screen for humans and dogs, and help make the fence more secure for dogs who might be escape artists (hiding it from them). I've read that myrica californica will do this as well as deter fleas and mosquitos. Does anyone have experience with it? Will it grow in shade as well as sun? Will it eventually survive on whatever nature dishes out? I'm in zone 9b. It's hot and dry in the summer, lots of rain in the winter, sometimes snow. Water in the summer can be an issue, so it needs to be something that will be happy on it's own once established. I think I've got about 1000 feet to screen.

I've also got lots of pepperwood trees, Umbellularia californica, that have provided me with many seedlings (which I can share, have thread in trading forum). Does anyone have any experience with this trained to be shrubs rather than trees? Two years ago, three trees had to be cut and the stumps have grown into shrubs. I wonder if these can be pruned to height.

Then there's CA lilac-ceanothus...? Please help. I need to get part of this project growing asap.

Thank you - Laura

Hi Laura,

Try www.laspilitas.com

You can search their database with your criteria, which makes it a bit easier, or just look up ceanothus. Ceanothus has been recommended to me as a screen -- it's beautiful and doesn't take long to establish. There are many varieties, from groundcover to tall bushes - we have several.

Kathleen

Hi Kathleen,
I've spent a lot of time on that site - it's an excellent source of information. Ceanothus is definately on my list for part of it, but I like the look of the myrtle much better and the flea/mosquito aspect is huge. I have lots of dogs and heartworm is a serious issue. Plus, we have so many mosquitoes it's nearly impossible to be out at dusk. I thought to try a garlic oil spray on the property this year. Thank you for the information! :-)

I just looked at Las Pilitas again about wax myrtle...da! It's not going to take the heat this summer according to their information. However the nursery in Eureka sold them to me as perfect for my needs. Fortunately, I only have 4, so I can figure out how to use them. The ceanothus they also sold me isn't looking so happy, however. Maybe not enough sun?

Some of our ceanothus took off right away, but some of the plants are not thriving. We have trouble with a south facing slope, but the ones that face east are really starting to grow after two years and we have lovely blooms right now. The planting instructions on LP sound weird, but they do work (30 gallons of water per plant at planting!). How warm is it where you are? We're still having nights in the 30s and 40s. Maybe the soil is not warm enough yet or, as you say, not enough sun.

I just checked a map - you're WAY up there, aren't you? LOL I can see why you might have problems with skeeters, too - it must be green up there. You can e-mail LP, too - I understand the owner is quite helpful and he might have advice specific to your situation. We live near the Escondido nursery and they are quite nice about answering questions.

Kathleen

How about Toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia? http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58417/index.html
I have also seen a beautiful and edible hedge made of Pomegranate http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/38370/index.html

Good idea, PotEmUp - we have one growing under a big pine tree in a wild area that is just huge, and several more babies in full sun. They do stay nice and green and look great in winter with the red berries, and don't require extra water.

Hmm, after looking at the Pom info, I think we'll plant some of those, too!

Those are both intersesting possibilities, PotEmUp. The more I learn about what to use, the more varied the hedge will be, which I think will be most interesting.

I just travelled to Medford via Hwy 96 and saw a large shrub that I really like all along the Klamath. I think it's a type of manzanita, with red stems and pink flowers. Based on information on the Las Pilitas site, it seems like a Dr. Hurd, but that one has white flowers. Some specimans were full, some shaped like trees, and the larger ones were at least 10-12 feet tall. So maybe they're the Zin in the wrong county.

The red bark plant sounds like the Arbutus marina. I have pruned it out to expose more of the bark, but the flowers and the "berry" are very attractive, as well. This composite photo shows why it is called the Strawberry Tree. The white may be Arbutus unedo http://images.google.com/images?q=arbutus

The leaves don't look like that. They're shorter. I'll try to get a photo of a little cutting I took.
Thank you for your help, PotEmUp.

This message was edited Apr 9, 2006 9:23 AM

how about a clumping bamboo?