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Need a tall (and fast growing) tree or hedge

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Question

Hi. We are remodeling our house and want to plant a fast-growing and/or tall tree. We will move back in there in October and don't want to see the next door neighbors house from our new living room. We want something not too deep (to take away from the yard), but lush enough to guard us from the next house. I love the look of bamboo, but was afraid of it's crazy growth and maintenance. I hear that there is a kind of bamboo that isn't crazy and doesn't grow all over the place. Is that true? What is it called? Any risks with it? A lot of maintenance? We are not great gardeners and need something low maintenance! Thanks.
Denise
Larkspur

Answer

There is a less crazy bamboo called Golden Goddess but it will only grow to 8' and is slow to fill in. Bamboo may bother you in that it seems to constantly be shedding leaves. Since you want something narrow, have you considered a vine on a tall lattice or trellis? Star Jasmine or pink Jasmine will form a dense wall. You can also use Podocarpus gracillior (Fern Pine). It also will grow tall and narrow, if pruned. It can even be obtained as a 15 gallon trellised plant ( 6' x 6'). The traditional hedge plants such as Pittosporum, Myrica, Dodonaea and Rhamnus though fast growing, will need regular shearing maintenance to keep them in bounds.

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