I recently purchased a home on a lake in Central Florida.
Unfortunately, there is a sewage lift station on the edge of the
property down near the lake. The lift station has a 7 foot tall
unsightly chain link fence surrounding it. I want to plant something
on the edge of my property that will eventually completely hide the 25
feet of the fence that borders my property.

I would be very appreciative of anyone who could suggest a plant/shrub
that will be good for this purpose. I do not want to see that that
fence anymore! What factors do I need to consider? If all other
factors are equal, I would prefer something fast growing so that it
will be that much sooner that the fence disapears. In your response,
please throw out a best guess as to how long it will take for your
plant suggestion to fill out and reach 7 feet in height. I would also
appreciate any advice you have about how far apart to plant your
suggestion. How far out from the fence should I be? Should the
plants be in a single line or staggered in some manner? What type of
fertilizer will help them grow the quickest? How much water do they
need to really thrive? Will it grow OK in very sandy soil? Do you
have any suggestion for something to plant in front of it that would
be keep me from having just a tall shrub there? In case it matters,
we are in the part of florida that gets a frost or two a year.

I know I tend to ask too many questions. I know we're all busy and
don't have time to write too much. If that's the case, feel free to
just suggest the plant/shrub. I can figure out the details on my own.
Thank you so much.

David Jensen

David Jensen wrote:
: I recently purchased a home on a lake in Central Florida.
: Unfortunately, there is a sewage lift station on the edge of the
: property down near the lake. The lift station has a 7 foot tall
: unsightly chain link fence surrounding it. I want to plant something
: on the edge of my property that will eventually completely hide the 25
: feet of the fence that borders my property.

: I would be very appreciative of anyone who could suggest a plant/shrub
: that will be good for this purpose. I do not want to see that that
: fence anymore! What factors do I need to consider? If all other
: factors are equal, I would prefer something fast growing so that it
: will be that much sooner that the fence disapears. In your response,
: please throw out a best guess as to how long it will take for your
: plant suggestion to fill out and reach 7 feet in height. I would also
: appreciate any advice you have about how far apart to plant your
: suggestion. How far out from the fence should I be? Should the
: plants be in a single line or staggered in some manner? What type of
: fertilizer will help them grow the quickest? How much water do they
: need to really thrive? Will it grow OK in very sandy soil? Do you
: have any suggestion for something to plant in front of it that would
: be keep me from having just a tall shrub there? In case it matters,
: we are in the part of florida that gets a frost or two a year.

: I know I tend to ask too many questions. I know we're all busy and
: don't have time to write too much. If that's the case, feel free to
: just suggest the plant/shrub. I can figure out the details on my own.
: Thank you so much.

You're in luck. The University of Florida has a lot of great information
on shrubs: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/TOPIC_Shrubs

Your local Extension office is also a likely source for advice and
factsheets. Local advice is always the best since it can take into
account the specific growing conditions for your area.

Cheers!

-- Karen

The Garden Gate http://garden-gate.prairienet.org
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