The Top 7 Best Hedges for Privacy and Beauty in South Florida’s Unique Climate

When it comes to hedges and privacy screens South Florida presents some unique challenges. The hot humid, subtropical climate with occasional freezes limits some popular hedging plants that thrive in other regions. But the good news is there are excellent options that provide effective, lush privacy while also adding beauty and visual interest.

After extensive research on the ideal growing conditions in South Florida along with the most recommended plants, I’ve compiled this guide to the best hedge plants for our area. These top picks not only create stellar privacy barriers but also enhance your landscape with their distinctive forms, textures, and colors.

Arborvitae

One of the most popular choices for hedges is arborvitae, a fast-growing evergreen conifer. With over 30 cultivars hardy and thriving in our climate, arborvitae comes in diverse shapes, textures, and colors to suit your vision.

Advantages

• Grows relatively fast, up to 3 feet per year. Quickly forms a tall, dense screen.

• Has compact foliage that responds well to shearing and shaping, Easily maintained at desired height,

• Tolerates humidity, salt spray, and some flooding. Handles our climate better than other conifers.

• Provides year-round privacy with its dense, bushy form.

Best Varieties:

• Green Giant – The hardiest and fastest growing; can reach 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide.

• Green Emerald – A classic medium-sized option; grows up to 20 feet.

• Techny – A dwarf cultivar perfect for shorter hedges; slow growth reaches 10 feet tall.

Areca Palm

The areca palm is one of the most popular choices for tropical palm hedges in South Florida landscapes. Its lush, full look provides a tropical, resort-style feel.

Advantages:

• Adds a bold, tropical look with fronds up to 10 feet long on skinny trunks.

• Grows fast, up to 2 feet per year. Excellent impact in a short time.

• Tolerates drought, wind, salt spray, and some flooding. Unfazed by storms and weather.

• Provides filtered privacy unlike a solid hedge. Allows breeze and light through.

Best Varieties:

• Dypsis lutescens – The most common areca palm; grows up to 20 feet tall.

• Archontophoenix alexandrae – King palm; lush fronds and substantial look, but slower growth.

• Archontophoenix cunninghamiana – Bangalow palm; long wispy fronds and fast growth to 35 feet.

Bay Laurel

Bay laurel is a fragrant evergreen shrub or small tree perfect for tall, formal hedges. It has an elegant look popular in Mediterranean style landscapes.

Advantages:

• Provides full, dense growth up to 15 feet tall. Responds well to pruning and shaping.

• Handles heat, drought, salt spray, and humidity. Very low maintenance.

• Has glossy green leaves with a distinctive spicy aroma. Adds sensory interest.

• More compact and dense than row of individual bay trees. Creates solid, uniform hedge.

Best Varieties:

• Laurus nobilis – True laurel; grows up to 30 feet but easily maintained shorter. Glossy 2-4 inch leaves.

• Sassafras albidum – North American native bay; grows faster with larger 8 inch leaves.

Clusia

Clusia is an excellent choice for hedges in South Florida. As a tropical broadleaf evergreen, it thrives in our warm climate. Its waxy, leathery leaves withstand salt spray, drought, pests, and diseases.

Advantages:

• Provides full, dense foliage up to 15 feet tall. Makes a lush tropical hedge.

• Does well in sun or shade. Tolerates wide range of conditions.

• Produces showy, pink or white flowers. Pretty pop of color several times a year.

• Has smooth, shiny green leaves. Visually appealing texture.

Best Varieties:

• Clusia guttifera – Gopher apple; fast growing to 10 feet. Showy large white flowers.

• Clusia rosea – Autograph tree; prolific bloomer with smaller pink flowers. Better for shorter hedges.

• Clusia fluminensis – Dwarf clusia; compact and slow growing but takes pruning well.

Cherry Hedge (Eugenia)

The Cherry Hedge or Eugenia is a popular choice for hedges in central and southern Florida. It’s native to South America, thriving in the hot, humid climate.

Advantages:

• Provides dense, bushy foliage that responds well to pruning. Grows quickly up to 15 feet tall.

• Has aromatic leaves and produces edible cherries. Adds multi-sensory interest.

• Tolerant of heat, humidity, salt spray, and storms. Low maintenance.

• When trimmed into a hedge, plant closer together for faster coverage.

Best Varieties:

• Syzygium paniculatum – Most common; fast growing to 15 feet. Produces white flowers.

• Syzygium australe – Slower growing but handles beachfront areas well. Produces pinkish flowers.

Podocarpus

Podocarpus is a sturdy evergreen conifer hedge plant that retains its deep green color year-round. Although it grows more slowly than other hedges, it creates a formal, sculpted look.

Advantages:

• Has dense, bushy foliage on upright branches. Responds very well to pruning and shearing.

• Retains rich green color and does not yellow or brown in winter.

• Tolerates salt spray, storms, humidity, and drought once established.

• Provides solid, uniform coverage when planted in a tight hedge.

Best Varieties:

• Podocarpus macrophyllus – Most common; slender leaves; grows 20 feet tall.

• Podocarpus gracilior – Fern pine podocarpus; feathery foliage; dwarf cultivars available.

• Podocarpus elongatus – Willow leaf podocarpus; long, thin leaves and fast growth.

Ligustrum

Ligustrum is a fast-growing, hardy evergreen shrub that makes a lush, full hedge. It requires frequent pruning but provides excellent privacy once established.

Advantages:

• Quickly grows dense and bushy. Often grows 6 feet in one season.

• Has small white flowers that add a nice visual pop and appeal to pollinators.

• Tolerates heat, humidity, salt spray, and fluctuating weather.

• Takes very well to frequent pruning and shearing to maintain desired size and shape.

Best Varieties:

• Ligustrum japonicum – Wax leaf privet; thick glossy leaves.

• Ligustrum lucidum – Glossy privet; smaller leaves; fast growth to 30 feet.

• Ligustrum sinense – Chinese privet; most compact and dense for tight hedges.

Key Considerations for South Florida Hedges

When selecting the plants for your new privacy hedge, keep these tips in mind:

• Choose narrower varieties. Hedges plants like podocarpus and hollies get quite wide here. Select more upright, narrow varieties or trim diligently.

• Space plants closely, 2-3 feet apart for faster coverage. You can always remove extras later.

• Know expected height and width. Select plants that will reach your desired hedge dimensions at maturity Many can be maintained shorter.

• Prepare the area. Eliminate weeds, dig a trench, and amend the soil to give your new hedge the best start.

• Water well. Plan to irrigate new plants for 1-2 years until established. Monitor soil moisture.

• Fertilize regularly. Feed with a quality, slow-release plant food 2-3 times per year. Promotes healthy growth.

With the right choice of hedge plants, positioning, planting, and care you can create stunning privacy screens and garden borders. These top hedges for South Florida provide lush, tropical style as well as resilience to handle our challenging climate. Discover the perfect look to complement your landscape today!