Barrier plant

[Hammer]

I am hoping someone can offer some plant suggestions for creating height along a wall.

I have two Alfredii that eventually will hang too far into the neighbor's yard.  I would like to prevent that if possible.  

I have been thinking about giant bird of paradise.  But am concerned about the clumps getting too huge.  On top of that, my wife is not a huge fan of them.  But I do like large leaves in contrast to the pinnate palms.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

Here's a picture of a portion of the wall.  It is the one on the left side of the photo and is probably double (maybe triple) the length of what you can see is this photo.

[Neil C]

Really tough ask as many barrier plants will also hang into your neighbour's garden. I can only really suggest a clumping bamboo but that is not exactly going to highlight your palm and may provide to much shade depending on the sun's path over your garden.

 

Regards Neil

[Gonzer]

Ravenala

[Hammer]

Not a bad option Gonz.  

Hadn't thought of bamboo Neil.  Interesting.  Although the down side could be a lot of leaf drop. 

Here's a better pic of the area I took this morning. 

[DoomsDave]

Adam:

As your alfies grow, they'll droop over the neighbors' wall, but they'll be relatively high up. My plants are about 8 - 10- feet tall and starting to do that. If you can't bear the thought of the neighbor's trimming (as you might, some go overboard) you can do some lopping to keep the peace.

Bamboo will give you MASSIVE leaf drop, carpet the ground. I've got that Mexican Weeping Bamboo, and it's lovely but it mulches to death all around it with fallen leaves, and sheaths.

You could use a ravenala that way, but it's not a totally reliable barrier and it will create a lot more mass than I think you'll want in there.

[BigFrond]

Giant bird of paradise is way too agressive and will take up alot of space as it get bigger (messy too) and bamboo is not an option there.  I would plant Dypsis lutescen as close to the wall as possible and thin it as it get bigger.  I used them to block out the neighbor.

 

[BigFrond]

It's also pretty tough that you already have a couple of Alfredii.  Hmmm......

[Hammer]

Thanks DD and BigFrond.  Good suggestions for a not many good options situation.   I guess maybe the first step is go talk to the neighbors and see if they are cool with some leaves hanging over the wall.

[Alicehunter2000]

Adam I would think you would have tons of options. That is a fairly good sized area. I am working with a similar situation that is only 5 foot wide in some places in zone 9a.

Just remember it is not necessary to plant directly against the wall to get an effective barrier. You could plant a small tree that can be pruned with a non- invasive root sytem on both sides of your walkway (think landscape tunnel) and allow for the neighbor to prune his side if anything happens to reach across the fence.

If it is something attractive they may opt to allow it to grow over to provide coverage for their views into your yard as well.

I have done this with evergreen Loquats trees and also with tight clumping upright bamboo... Bambusa chunghii 'barbalatta'. The bamboo has a larger footprint. I trim the Loquats to be able to walk under.  

By creating a high canopy close to your walkway you will also create a nice shady micro climate for the entire area....just remember....your tall stuff doesn't need to go directly against the wall.

[Tracy]

On 3/21/2016, 9:15:34, Hammer said:

I guess maybe the first step is go talk to the neighbors and see if they are cool with some leaves hanging over the wall

Definitely your best option, and you may even want to show them a photo of what a mature B. alfredii will look like.  You may be stressing over a non-issue.  I am not a fan of the bamboo solution, as my neighbor across the street used a clumping bamboo to obscure a telephone pole.  I am continually getting all the dead leaves blown into my front, especially after a major wind event.  I assure you that bamboo near the property line will not make your neighbor happy in the long run.  D lutescens would be a much better choice if you do end up wanting something to "contain" your alfredii's to your side of the wall.