KAREN WIGHT -- No Place Like Home

Our travels this summer included spending some time in the friendly

Midwest. In the land of Mark Twain, Hannibal, Mo., to be exact. My

favorite aunt and uncle live near the Mississippi River in this quaint

town, which I consider a true American treasure.

There aren’t a lot of people, and there aren’t a lot of things to do

in Hannibal. But that’s part of the charm. Once you’ve seen the Mark

Twain and Becky Thatcher childhood homes, prowled the famous cave, ridden

the riverboat and gone miniature golfing at Sawyers Creek, you’ve

experienced most of what Hannibal has to offer.

What’s left is warm and friendly hospitality, and lots of it.

While we stayed with my aunt and uncle (and by the way, we really miss

out not having basements around here) one of the things that struck us

was the way everyone’s yards flowed together. No fences. Not one.

Well, that’s not completely true. The one person in the neighborhood

that has a fence is very curmudgeonly and not the neighborhood favorite.

All of the backyards just roll one into another. Even the dogs seem to

get along. And you cannot have a barbecue without everyone knowing what’s

on the grill.

People in Hannibal think it’s a little odd that we wall ourselves off.

I think it’s a little odd that they don’t.

Obviously, in the land of Mark Twain, they haven’t read enough Robert

Frost to know that “good fences make good neighbors.”

And where would Samuel Langhorne Clemens be without the “whitewashed

pickets” story? Fences do have a purpose.

Boundaries are a funny thing. Some people need a lot of privacy, while

some people thrive in a fish bowl.

In our community, we have guarded enclaves like Belcourt and

Bayshores. Then we have the other extreme, like the boardwalks on Balboa

Island and the Peninsula oceanfront.

Whether you prefer privacy-at-all-costs or live your life like an open

book, boundaries are a good idea. Lines of demarcation come in all shapes

and sizes and planting a hedge or a “green screen” may be your most

appealing solution.

Historically, “hedgerows” as they are called in England, kept

wandering livestock off the neighbor’s property and served a very

specific purpose. Property lines were important when defining grazing

areas and crop lines.

Hedges preceded the modern chain-link, and living dividers are far

more beautiful than their metal counterpart.

The nation’s most popular plant for hedging is privet. It can grow

quite large, but with methodical pruning can form an attractive living

fence.

Hedges can be developed from almost any shrub or tree. Your only limit

is imagination.

If you choose to have a planted partition between you and the

neighbors, consider the style of your home and landscape.

A Mediterranean scheme lends itself to oleanders, melaleucas, sweet

bays and junipers.

Got that island feeling flowing through your home and garden? Consider

hibiscus, papyrus, banana trees, and if you have a desire for reckless

abandon, plant some bamboo.

Traditional landscapes have dozens of choices. Try a row of flowering

lilacs -- the Chinese varieties have smaller leaves and love the pruning.

Do you like hydrangeas? Prepare a shady spot with the right acidity,

and these bushes with the flowering pom-poms will make quite a statement.

If you need a plant that doubles as a security guard, holly bushes

could be the perfect choice. These beautiful bushes with deep green or

variegated leaves have a nasty side: their sharp thorny leaves are a

great deterrent against intruders.

Shrub roses are a good option for a low border. These roses are low

maintenance, very vigorous and come in any color you can imagine: check

out Simplicity’s choices in white, red and pink.

If you are looking for a border that defines one area from another,

you may only need a very short hedge. Boxwoods are a logical choice for

lining a path or separating one planting area from another.

Cuphea, which has a compact growth habit, makes a beautiful low-border

planting. Cuphea has small white or pink flowers and are easy to keep

clipped and neat.

Hedges can provide more than privacy. They can provide some structural

engineering for your outdoor areas. Hedges make great windbreaks and

protection from the elements.

Do you have a patio that gets the worst of the weather? A

strategically placed hedge can help solve your problems.

Think of your hedges as giant topiaries. Without pruning they can get

rangy and wild; with regular manicures they maintain their integrity and

form. The enthusiastic gardener can be architect, builder and gentleman

farmer.

A living fence could be just the solution you’re looking for.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs Saturdays.