Living on the side of an old volcano in the western goldfields area of Victoria, we have beautiful views, but with these come incredible howling winds. I’m trying to select tough, fast growing plants to reduce these, have highly reactive clay soil that cracks up in the summer and temperatures ranging between 42 to about minus 2 degrees. I’m not keen on anything highly flammable or poisonous as there is livestock surrounding our property.
Blackwoods are doing well, but I also need shrubs and other plantings. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Windbreak ideas
Discussion
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What other shrubby Acacia species have you tried Romany?
I only ask as I planted Acacia retinodes a few years back with the intention of stooling them every year or every second year, and then one year I missed, and then they got too big, and now they’re WAY too big. They grew brilliantly without any assistance whatsoever, but now, after less than 10 years, they’re dying off/falling over etc. I’m eyeing off the neighbours A floribunda (restricted in some areas) for it’s relative longevity and density to the ground. There’s a tea tree on the Woodend bypass that I’ve also been coveting – perfect height for my purposes (no more than 3m, and foliage to the ground), but it’s tricky to find anything tough, fast growing and also long lasting…
Acacia floribunda were on my list but are reasonably flammable. I’ve tried Portuguese laurels but these weren’t too successful for some reason. I considered oleanders but was concerned about their toxicity with livestock. Viburnum tinus is a bit slow…
Hi Romany. I have not looked at toxity but looked at hedging plants (able to be maintained 1-2 metres high) for use in this area using plant selection matrix. Eleagnus commutata ranked quite well – but not sure of availability – I have found Eleagnus x ebbingei good once established – but it does require supplemental water during establishment – BPG described its drought tolerance as moderately good; it is one of my favorites. Pittosporum tenuifolium also ranked well, but I have heard from designers up here did not go well during the last drought. Teucrium fruticans also ranked well (and better on drought tolerance). These were closely followed by Ligustrum vulgare (but would be concerned about weed potential if allowed to flower) and Westringia fruticosa. Also a bit interested in Correa alba but was not included in analysis. Would trial any of these before mass use. I agree re Portuguese laurels – I think they are a real pain with random deaths – Have found Laurus nobilis – Bay – good as alternative with similar aesthetic but slow growing (also read somewhere might be helpful in context of bush fires – but would look into further). Good luck! Interested in any feedback from others on experience using any of the above… many thanks.
Thanks so much Deborah, the low hedging plants are an important component that I’ve also been giving lots of thought to. I’ve got quite a bit of Teucrium fruiticans in the garden, but it does seem to respond best to clipping to create greater density. I’m also very fond of Correa alba but unfortunately so too are the rabbits and hares around here – I’ve had some that were growing really well, just reduced to divest in the ground! Westringia is good although not particularly long lived. Will look into Eleagnus.
Hi Romany, this sounds excatly like our place (except the volcano part).
We are on plains in lower north SA and the winds here are ferocious.
I am planning on using the permaculture principle of windbreaks at our property. Where windbreaks are multiple plants deep so that wind gets carried upwards. So for example the first row is shrubs, bushes, followed by trees in different heights. That way trees dont have to deal with the hot winds in summer and you can grow slower growing but longer lasting trees behind any fast growing tree. By the time the fast growing trees are dying off, the more permanent slow growing ones are big enough.
Have you heard of Hibiscus tiliaceus (Bronze Cottonwood) or Elaeocarpus reticulatus ‘Prima Donna’ – Blueberry Ash? These are 2 of my favourites that I will be planting soon. Botanic Gardens here have a great plant selector http://plantselector.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au
Good luck.
Thanks so much Miriam, I completely agree with the layering approach you suggest and will look into the trees you’ve suggested – both sound like lovely tough varieties.
Hi Romany, would Choisya Ternata be worth considering as a shrubby hedge? It can be clipped to maintain a shape, withstands strong winds, grows in full sun to shade, doesn’t wilt without water- not showy, but sturdy.
Have you thought about photinia? With the wide leaf it’s quite good for being fire resistant, and once established it’s quite tough. Not deer resistant (what is?) but should be OK with rabbits. What about olives? There’s some good low fruiting varieties (if that is an issue) and they hedge well. Also consider with wind breaks, it’s good to have the not too dense, as if they are really dense, they actually cause swirling winds immediately behind them.
Another tip with rabbits my mum uses, is spreading blood and bone on a regular basis around susceptible plants. She finds once the plants get to a certain size, they tend to be left alone.
best of luck!