The evergreen Myrtle (Myrtus communis) hedge takes care of itself. This shrub has fine textured, bright green foliage that does not need much trimming.  It has small white flowers and, later, blue-black berries in the Fall. Low water usage with good drainage required. Makes a wide hedge.

Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira), comes in dwarf, shrub and tree forms, all of them evergreen The dwarf size is an excellent foundation plant. The mid-size is ideal for a loose, rounded hedge. It does not need trimming. The Pittosporum tree grows to 25 feet tall. Drought tolerant once established. The tree forms have incredibly fragrant flowers in Spring.

Hedges full of color

For color all summer long, even in the hottest weather, plant a mix of Lantanas side by side. Be sure to get the Lantana camara, which grows upright to 6 feet tall. The Lantana montevidensis is the low growing variety suitable for ground cover.

You can have a hedge with white blooms when you plant a Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum). It grows incredibly fast--up to a foot a year. It needs regular trimming and not much water. The flowers have a pungent fragrance.

NOTE: There is another tree called the Smoke Tree. It is tall and virtually leafless. Be sure you get the right one.

Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria "Royal Purple") - beautiful dark reddish purple leaves are the hallmark of this small tree. Grows either as a multi-trunk shrub or a single trunk tree to 15 feet high. The hybrid C. 'Grace' has blue-green leaves and seed pods that appear to be large airy cloudlike puffs of cotton candy. In Fall the leaves turn to orange and bright red. A new introduction is the "Golden Spirit" variety, which has brilliant golden yellow leaves. Low water usage for all three varieties.

The edible hedge

Pineapple guava (Feijoa sellowiana) - have your hedge and eat it too! You will often find this South American native plant in nurseries as a small tree, but it can be a multi-trunk shrub for an unusual and beautiful informal hedge. Soft gray-green leaves with very pretty white blossoms in the spring. And fruit to eat in the Fall. It may need some shelter from full sun. Low to moderate water usage.

Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) - another edible hedge, this one from South Africa. A fast growing upright shrub with deep dark, leathery green leaves that can be clipped to a formal hedge. Blooms fragrantly year 'round and produces small fruit with a cranberry-like taste. Most natal plums are thorny but the 'Boxwood Beauty' variety is thornless, as is the 'Tomlinson'.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum)- fast growing even in alkaline soil and direct sizzling sunlight.  Choose the 'Wonderful' variety for its delicious fruit in Fall when its leaves turn a golden yellow.  Grows very fast.

The grassy hedge

Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) - fast growing to 8 feet tall in one season with even taller white or pale yellow "plumes".  Cut back every couple of years to 18 inches during January or it may end up 20 feet high. Leaves are toothy and will cut into skin so do not plant it near a walkway.  Note: Do not plant the Pampas Grass Cortaderia jubata  which is an invasive weed.

Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) - looks like short bamboo but has brilliant yellow, orange and reddish leaves. Can grow slowly to moderately to 6 feet. In the desert needs some shelter from blasting sunlight. It may need treatment for iron-deficiency which turns the leaves yellow with green veins. Very drought tolerant