Keeping friendships green

STEVE KAWARATANI

“Love your neighbors as well as your enemies; they’re likely the same

people.”

-- With apologies to G. K. Chesterton

“A hedge between keeps friendship green.”

-- German Proverb

Generally surrounded on three sides by neighbors, our patios

wouldn’t be nearly as inviting without the seclusion afforded by

plantings. I have successfully protected clients’ privacy through the

careful planning of hedges. These living walls delineate our

properties and provide the necessary screening to pursue outdoor

pleasures.

A clipped or informal hedge may be used in the same manner as a

masonry wall or wooden fence, and is generally less expensive. As an

element in landscape design, hedges serve as a protection and screen

against peeping eyes and provide a feeling of privacy. In baser

terms, a hedge may be used to blot out your neighbor’s home and

garden and to prevent them from looking into yours.

Well-sheared, perfect hedges can only be made from plants that

will tolerate regular clipping. Less formal hedges can be made of

plants that resent the constant clipping endured by privet and

boxwood. Caution has to be generally exercised in selecting hedge

materials as Laguna Beach has a hedge ordinance to prevent blockage

of views, sunlight and air.

Buxus microphylla japonica (Japanese Boxwood) is a popular hedging

plant in Laguna. The compact, bright green foliage is well suited to

trimming and will eventually grow to a height of 3 to 6 feet. It is

most commonly grown as a low to medium hedge and uniquely into myriad

forms of topiary.

A native of North Carolina, Prunus caroliniana (Carolina Cherry)

can be pruned as a hedge or left unpruned to become an informal

screen. It will tolerate ocean wind and poor soil, and is quite

drought tolerant. It’s rich green color makes a hedge of 6 to 10 feet

or more.

The most commonly used hedge in Laguna is Ligustrum japonicum

“Texanum”(Japanese Privet). Easily grown in almost any soil, it will

attain a height of 4 to 9 feet. The glossy green leaves are

attractive, however, the showy flowers may attract too many bees for

some individuals.

Laurus nobilis (Bay laurel) makes a fine hedge in either filtered

sunlight or full sun. The leaves are dark green and aromatic -- it is

the traditional bay leaf of cooking. Although not particular of soil

type, it requires good drainage. The Bay Laurel will grow slowly to

15 feet or more.

The versatile Podocarpus gracilior (Fern Pine) is useful as a

hedge, big shrub, street tree or espalier in sun or partial shade. It

grows easily in most gardens and can attain a height from 6 to 20

feet high.

Peace on earth and good will to all mankind was on my mind this

sunny morning, as I gazed at my neighborhood. Many of us have hedges,

as we treasure our private moments and space. However, we also enjoy

sharing time as neighbors and friends. As Catharine says, “I dream of

winter sun and privacy for everyone.” Well said and see you next

time.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is the owner of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery,

1278 Glenneyre St., No. 49, in Laguna Beach. He is happily married to

local writer, Catharine Cooper, and has two cats. He can be reached

at (949) 497-2438 or e-mail to landscapes@ln.coxatwork.com.