Mackaya bella

[Darold Petty]

I need a  plant for half-shade to full-shade  to provide a visual screen along my fence  and that will grow about nine feet (2.75 M) tall.  Internet information suggests this species, but the info is variable and conflicting about ultimate height, growth rate, and the best technique for pruning in order to produce dense foliage.  I would appreciate any comments from those with direct experience, especially from gardeners along the California coastline.   ( I acquired two well grown young plants yesterday.) Thanks !   

 

[fastfeat]

Mackaya bella is a great plant. Thrives in much of coastal California as well as Florida as long as soil isn't too alkaline. Saw a nice one somewhere in SF, maybe in Richmond District (?), blooming heavily in mostly shade, in a generally unkempt yard. That being said, I've never tried to grow it as a hedge/screen. I suspect it could function as such, but in my experience, getting it to a dense 9' may be tough. Typical of Acanthaceae, it's really more of a perennial than a woody shrub. It grows by throwing new stems up from the base periodically, generally a foot or two taller than the existing foliage mass. The older stems persist but don't develop wood. So it could probably get to 9', but if you truly need a solid 9' screen, I'd probably get something else. And feature the Mackaya as a flowering plant.

[Palm crazy]

Darold, I use Fargesia nitida bamboo as a screen. Only grows 9-12’ tall and very tight and full screen, can only grow in part to full shade. Semi-Drought tolerant. 

Other shrub that are good for part shade…. Acuba or Mock orange smells good and has nice foliage too comes in green or yellow. 

Edited December 3, 2016 by Palm crazy

[Darold Petty]

Thanks guys, it seems that I should investigate an alternative plant for this application. 

Palmtalk is great for this sort of help, the phrase  "All of us are smarter than one of us"  really works ! 

[JasonD]

Darold, you and I have communicated on this plant. I think it's a worthy gamble in your garden for density and even some bloom in shade, but it won't reach more than seven feet overall. I've seen it thrive in circumstances in San Francisco similar to yours. Definitely has that macro-perennial/soft shrub growth habit that Ken describes.

[Darold Petty]

Thanks Jason.  I am pleased to have this species, and most likely will install the two plants along the fence line, elsewhere* from where I want the dense screen.

  Can anyone suggest a source for Prunus laurocerasus 'Marbled White'  (synonym 'Castlewellan') ? Thanks !

*  The late, great Pauleen Sullivan had plantings so dense that one could not see the fence at all.  A worthy goal !

[WonderKeeper]

Got time ?  Take a walk through  San Francisco Botanical Garden .... hope you find more options

[Darold Petty]

After long consideration I chose English laurel, but not the common green form.  I learned of some variegated forms that are slower and less rampant.

  I can become quite 'obsessive/compulsive'  once I decide that I 'must have' a certain plant, somewhat like big game hunting !    After about four hours of internet search and fifteen telephone calls to nurseries in Oregon and Washington state I located ONE plant of  Prunus laurocerasus 'Marbled Cream' at a big box home improvement store in Snohomish, Washington.  What to do ??  I briefly considered driving there (700 miles) but this seemed extreme, even for me ! 

  Then I had the happy inspiration to use an internet based odd job service called Taskrabbit.  I signed up on Sunday afternoon, a 'Tasker' responded immediately, and I had my plant by Thursday, in perfect condition, shipped by two-day delivery.  The total cost for plant, labor, packaging, and delivery was less than gasoline for 700 miles.

  Here are two photos of my new plant.

Now, get off Palmtalk and spend this day with family and friends, best wishes to all.    

[fastfeat]

Nice...Hopefully it's a stable variegation. If not, prune out solid green shoots promptly...

[JasonD]

Beautiful variegation--it reminds me of the 'Spider's Web' form of Fatsia japonica.