Hedges - Choosing Hedging for Acidic Soil

I have quite a large amount of fence along two sides of my property that are sorely in need of some kind of privacy hedging, plants that will grow no more than about 12 feet tall and do not require a lot of shearing and pruning.

I've been warned off of laurel, due to the way it will grow out until it pushes down the fence and otherwise be too lively, but am considering osmanthus, viburnum tinus and azara microphylla so far. A "mixed look" hedging along the long fence line is my goal. They unfortunately will be near doug firs, so survival in acidic soil will be a challenge -

What are some of the plants you have found useful for hedging, or are 'hedgish' that you've found will grow around acidic soil?

At this point the only things growing there are a madrone and a filbert tree (hazelnut).

 

Flowering bushes would make a great hedge. Lilacs, azeala (sp?) and the like.

Here's a link for your zoning to give you some ideas.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_seasonal_zo ... 37,00.html

 

A nursery near me is closing (can't blame them - a huge mall was built right across from them and the traffic is nuts) - I rampaged through their stock and came home with:

Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo) - a winner because it likes acidic soil, unfortunately there were only 2 left...
Pyracantha - only one, because they are prickly. It will add a nice bit of gold and red.
Redtwig Dogwood - Though I'm mostly looking for evergreen things, these look so spectacular in the winter with the orange-red twigs after they drop their leaves, and the blooms in the spring, I had to add one.
Japanese Snowbell - woot! I LOVE these trees, I am so tickled to get one. I'm not even sure where I'll put it yet.
and 2 Butterfly Bushes in Adonis Blue.

SO - I have a lot of digging to do (ick) but a portion of the fence where we didn't need really tall things, just something fluffy will be well cared for. I'll probably go get more of the Nandina from another nursery to make a short row.

Still hunting for things that will be taller - all of these are 4-6 ft, and I need shrubs/trees that will be 8-12.

 

You're choice is ok except for the "nanina "
I think you mean Nandina domestica which a real beauty . I had one as a bonsai . Be careful with the Pyracatha as if it is not pruned regurly it can get very wide . Flowering hedges are much more interesting than the usual monospecies hedges .
8) Bugs

 

Heh, missed the "d" - *edits*

I was dubious on the pyracantha partly for that reason, partly for the thorns which is why I only picked up one... I'll read up on it and decide if it will join the rest or just live it its bucket until it finds another home.

 

I think there are several kinds of pyracantha so check what kind this one is. Our neighbor has one that smells absolutely horrible when it blooms. It is pollinated by flies and moths instead of bees. We can't wait until the blooms are gone. Marilyn says as soon as he dies she's getting out the chain saw. Dooley

 

I went out to check it - it's a Mojave, which is listed as disease resistant with white blossoms averaging around 6-8 ft.... I didn't see anything mentioning a scent of the blossoms one way or another. Hm!

 

You need to concentrate on the natives if its a tough spot; Hawthorn, Prunus spinosa and maybe even field maple should all do wel and great for wildlife.

 

I ended up giving away the pyracantha to a friend - too many prickles to deal with. The nandina is lovely!

At this point I am seriously considering some clumping bamboo for the area that backs to RV campers - its about 12 ft, just right to get between them and us without being overwhelming. It stays in a circle instead of sending out runners, so it isn't as invasive as bamboo usually is.

My husband was eyeballing a row of western red cedars, noting that they would be tall enough at maturity to even block the second-story windows of the development next door. Hm! Anyone ever used these as a 'hedge'? I'm not sure how quickly they grow.