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Hernando Today

Landscape For Privacy And Sound Barrier Around New Home

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By STEVE JONES

Hernando Today columnist

Published: February 15, 2009

Moving to a new home, particularly if it's your first, is an exciting venture. But deciding what to do about your new landscape can seem overwhelming. That was the problem faced by these new homeowners whose question was answered by my wife Cheryl, below.

QUESTION: "My husband and I are in the process of purchasing aproperty.

Temperatures are usually warm and the backyard is small with a fair amount of sunlight. We'd like to keep the landscaping cohesive with the style of this Spanish Cottage, but more importantly, we need it to do several things.

"First, we need it to build privacy since two story buildings can see into our yard. We also would like to reduce sound. My husband is a musician and frequently has "jam sessions" in the garage, but we don't want to disturb neighbors. What types of trees
and plantsdo you suggest for this?

"Finally, if we'd like to grow some light ivy over the house to give it that "cottage" feel, how would we do this? The front of the home faces south. Thank you so much." - The Schlarbs

ANSWER: Planting trees and shrubs in fairly close proximity and then pruning them to form a hedge is a time-honored way to create a feeling of privacy and at the same time muffle sound, both incoming and outgoing.

But for you're thinking of something a little less formal, here's a link to a very informative article from the L.A. Times in praise of what the author calls "hedges without edges."

http://articles.latimes.com/2006/feb/23/home/hm-he...

You can always use bamboo, but there are other plant varieties out there that may be moreof what you would prefer. Layering different types of plants can help create privacy, such as a dense hedge that may only grow 5 to 8 feet tall but give you the sound block you desire with a tall growing bamboo or other plant variety to block the view from the taller buildings.

Concerning growing ivy on your house, this isn't something that I would recommend. Ivy, like many other vines, will attach itself to thestructure eventually causing serious damage. However, if you like the idea of ivy, remember that it will grow on a chicken wire frame, lattice or arbor where it would be less invasive and easier to control. The latter, an arbor, would help to give you privacy inyour back yard area.

I have e-mailed you some specific links to pages at Sunset Magazine's Web site. Sunset Magazine always has some wonderful ideas for landscaping, particularly southwestern landscaping. Sunset Magazine is one of my favorite all-around magazines because they always give such great tips. What I am trying to do with these links is to show you how color and plants can liven up a homeand give you the cottage feel that you are looking for.

For other readers who are interested in this subject, your best bet is simply to go to http://www.sunset.com/garden/ and then click on the menu items such as "Landscaping and Design," "Earth Friendly," etc.

Some colorful plants that you may want to include in your landscape are: roses, lantana, hibiscus, fuchsia, camellia, and bougainvillea. Many of these plants also offer climbing varieties that could be considered for the arbor instead of the ivy.

This is a lot of info to take in, but I hope it gives you some ideasof your own to build on.

Good luck on your project!

A few days later, this follow-up note was in our in-box:

I can't thank you enough for such a helpful email! My family and Iwill certainly be thinking of your kindness as we work on landscapingfor our yard. Being that this could be our first home, we are veryexcited , but felt overwhelmed at the thought of sorting this out onour own. When we finally get around to it, I'll be sure tosend you photos. Many thanks! Warm regards, Adriana Schlarb & Family.

The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org and for resources and additional information, or to subscribe to Steve's free e-mailed newsletter, visit www.landsteward.org

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