Palm Tree Privacy

[flamilak]

My husband & I are looking to give ourselves a little privacy behind our lanai which is about 15 feet (more or less) from our neighbor’s lanai. They have shades but we are thinking along the lines of a small palm tree. We were thinking of a fan palm but landscaper suggested the 3-trunk palm tree.
Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks

[Keefelane66]

Dwarf Sugar palm
Arenga Palm (https://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/arenga-palm.html)

[villagetinker]

IMHO, I think there are hedges that would be much more suitable for privacy, but another alternative would be shades inside your lanai, we did this several years ago and works very well (no watering or trimming required).

[LuvNH]

We used bottle brush. Let it grow as thick and tall as you want for privacy. Cut it back whenever you want, great landscaping bush.

[njbchbum]

Whatever you decide - be aware of your easements and don't plant in them - and since you are adding to existing landscaping, check with ARC to find out if you need its approval to plant.

If you choose to go with the palm - be sure it will be happy in your climate zone.

[JohnN]

Dwarf Sugar palm
Arenga Palm (https://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/arenga-palm.html)

We have a sugar palm and that works great. Lots of low leaves, easy maintenance, hardy.

[Worldseries27]

Lots of good answers. Suggest you two take a drive around established areas and take pics of various patterns to help with your decision

[Remembergoldenrule]

First make sure you have ARC approval and good tap measure and think about maturity size You don’t want to have to take down once mature because it is over property lines.
I suggest Podocarpus and or blinds. Don’t plant anything that when it is mature will be up against your screen because hard to maintain, block breezes, and make you feel closed in.
Drive around older sections and see what you like when plant is mature.
Bottle bushes draw bees.

[Skunky1]

Bamboo

[kenpoboy]

Bamboo is an invasive species and bottle brushes are a nightmare if you decide to change to a different type of foliage. A hedge is always easy and can be shaped anyway you like…..holy, etc….

[bowlingal]

Kenpoboy...bamboo has two types...invasive and clumping. Clumping does not spread and stays put. Invasive spreads all over and I think is not available here and not allowed to be planted. There are many common areas that have clumping bamboo here, just take a look around. It does offer lots of privacy.

[Radamo]

We are also reviewing options for something similar. The only thing to keep in mind with shades is that they will also restrict some air flow. I prefer a nice breeze when it is available.

[GizmoWhiskers]

IMHO, I think there are hedges that would be much more suitable for privacy, but another alternative would be shades inside your lanai, we did this several years ago and works very well (no watering or trimming required).
Agree! Depending where the houses are located, last year the couple of the 30 degree heavy frost freezes we had plus the lack of rain has many of the rhobolini palms in the south of 44 in the DeLuna area looking like they are on death's door. They do come back but VERY slowly.

I have noticed that the bottle brush trees were not hit at all by the freezes. I do LOVE myrhobolini palms. Mine is three trunk but I would take me 2 hrs to wrap it before every frost.

I had decided if it were to ever get severly frost bit I would put in a bottlebrush tree as much less worry. The idea of no maintenance, no worry is an option I would for sure consider though, especially if I were a snowbird.

[rjn5656]

Not my favorite plant, bottle brush would do. In my previous house, my neighbor put in a row between our 2 houses. They grew to about 15 feet by the time I moved. Provided good privacy.

[LoisH]

We just put in our 4th mule palm. Depending how you keep it trimmed, it can grow 10 feet wide. It is cold tolerant. Attached a link with good photos. Bought ours for $185 at Lowes —we were able to carry it and plant it ourselves —it was taller than the courtyard wall and many fronds.

Mule Palm | Liberty Landscape Supply (https://www.libertylandscapesupply.com/product/mule-palm-field-grown/)

[Remlod]

Our home had a viburnum hedge along the entire back of the house when built. We added a bird cage and rerouted the existing plants (With proper permits) and added a few more to allow for privacy along the extension made by the bird cage. We love both the privacy and at the same time the enjoyment of making friends of our neighbors.
Only draw back is the need for regular trimming.
Leave at least 4’ between the plants and the house to allow for maintenance and access.
PM me if you want
To see what it looks like.
PS. The existing bottle brush trees we have a scruffy in comparison to the viburnum. We are considering pulling them out and replacing them with more viburnum.

[rpalumberi]

My husband & I are looking to give ourselves a little privacy behind our lanai which is about 15 feet (more or less) from our neighbor’s lanai. They have shades but we are thinking along the lines of a small palm tree. We were thinking of a fan palm but landscaper suggested the 3-trunk palm tree.
Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks

sugar palms, we have three

depending on space, alternate sugar palms (high) with some type of fan palm (lower)

ask landscaper about using sugar palms alternating with something

good luck

[Ele201]

First make sure you have ARC approval and good tap measure and think about maturity size You don’t want to have to take down once mature because it is over property lines.
I suggest Podocarpus and or blinds. Don’t plant anything that when it is mature will be up against your screen because hard to maintain, block breezes, and make you feel closed in.
Drive around older sections and see what you like when plant is mature.
Bottle bushes draw bees.
Good advice, valid points. I agree about getting approval. Been reading lately about “anonymous” busy bodies going around TV then making complaints about various violations.

And btw, don’t agree with doing that type of thing. These anonymous complaints included someone who painted a nice green color on her house borders but that was reported as a violation and she had to paint over it, and they fined her $2,500. Another case involved a complaint about someone’s hedges being too high, and she was forced to remove the plants, even though they were that high for years. Anyway, a bit off topic perhaps, but just underscoring approval issues, in case a neighbor or “anonymous” person raises an issue.

[bsouthworth47@yahoo.com]

Shades do go up and down whenever you want.

[MisterPratt]

Beautiful, yes, however
palm trees can attract palm rats and they can be difficult to trim.

[omimom]

We have a pindo palm in our front yard. Max height is 20'. It's the only cold hardy feather palm and tolerates temps as low as 5°F, which means it can grow as far north as coastal New Jersey and British Columbia. Fruits are edible and used to make jelly in South Florida, where this beauty is also called jelly palm. The only thing is, after about 5 years the fronds will be higher from the ground and you won't have privacy. We also have a viburnum hedge for privacy but it needs to be trimmed about 3 times a year. It's a fast grower.

[Camranhvet]

Be very leery of the 3 trunk robolini palm. They look great but do not hold up very well if a frost or freeze occurs. A very popular landscaper warned us about this but my wife insisted she wanted one. Enjoyed it one year then had to replace it due to frost and freeze damage.

[Albany]

My husband & I are looking to give ourselves a little privacy behind our lanai which is about 15 feet (more or less) from our neighbor’s lanai. They have shades but we are thinking along the lines of a small palm tree. We were thinking of a fan palm but landscaper suggested the 3-trunk palm tree.
Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks
We have an incredible privacy hedge consisting of bottle brush trees at the corners, and ligustrum in between. All our neighbors benefit from the hedge, and yes it has to be trimmed maybe twice a year. Left alone it would surely hit 12 feet. We keep it at 6. It's completely frost hardy. We have no problem at all with bees, and the birds are very happy.

[maistocars]

We used bottle brush. Let it grow as thick and tall as you want for privacy. Cut it back whenever you want, great landscaping bush.
I like the look of bottle brush, but oh those bees that love them too!

[Wondering]

My husband & I are looking to give ourselves a little privacy behind our lanai which is about 15 feet (more or less) from our neighbor’s lanai. They have shades but we are thinking along the lines of a small palm tree. We were thinking of a fan palm but landscaper suggested the 3-trunk palm tree.
Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks
Ligustrum shrubs give you the best privacy. less expensive and less maintenance than palm trees.

[PJ_Smiley]

Podocarpus - if you look around The Villages, a lot of common areas use Podocarpus hedges for privacy.

[fdpaq0580]

Kenpoboy...bamboo has two types...invasive and clumping. Clumping does not spread and stays put. Invasive spreads all over and I think is not available here and not allowed to be planted. There are many common areas that have clumping bamboo here, just take a look around. It does offer lots of privacy.

Sorry to disagree, but "clumping" bamboo does spread. Started with a 1 foot circle, which grew to a 2 foot circle, to a 4 foot circle, etc. Eventually, had to have it dug out at @ 8 foot diameter. Though it provided privacy, as it expanded it got dirty, messy and became a haven for unwanted critters.

[Chi-Town]

Another vote for ligustrum, a great privacy hedge

[Karmanng]

Be very leery of the 3 trunk robolini palm. They look great but do not hold up very well if a frost or freeze occurs. A very popular landscaper warned us about this but my wife insisted she wanted one. Enjoyed it one year then had to replace it due to frost and freeze damage.

Im surprised as here in AZ I have one and we get lots more freezes than Fl does and mine does fine! HEAT high heat killed one actually

[Tyson]

I had 6 palm trees on my property 15 years ago and they were gone in 3 years. Nothing but cleanup all the time.

[margaretmattson]

My husband & I are looking to give ourselves a little privacy behind our lanai which is about 15 feet (more or less) from our neighbor’s lanai. They have shades but we are thinking along the lines of a small palm tree. We were thinking of a fan palm but landscaper suggested the 3-trunk palm tree.
Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks Palm trees are beautiful but require quite a bit of maintenance. The fronds grow extremely large and heavy and must be removed by a professional at a cost. Just keep that in mind before you make your final decision.

[EddieUA]

My husband & I are looking to give ourselves a little privacy behind our lanai which is about 15 feet (more or less) from our neighbor’s lanai. They have shades but we are thinking along the lines of a small palm tree. We were thinking of a fan palm but landscaper suggested the 3-trunk palm tree.
Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks

If you prefer to plant outdoor palm trees for privacy, the European fan palm or lady palm are two of your best choices. The European fan palm reaches up to 15 feet tall when mature and has a short trunk and dense crown. It forms an effective privacy screen.

[Bill1701]

We used bottle brush. Let it grow as thick and tall as you want for privacy. Cut it back whenever you want, great landscaping bush.

It depends on the location. We have bottle brush plants on the east side. They have never filled in. We tried fertilizer and that didn't help. I think they need more sun to grow better. We have one in the front, west facing, and it is great.

[msilagy]

Palm trees are a lot of work - I have the 3 branch one he described in front of my house. I would not suggest any the of palm trees. Other suggestions are much better. Good luck!

[Bwanajim]

Podocarpus

[Janicepyatt]

2nd vote for Pindo Palm. Don't get Robellini palms (3 trunks) as they have the most nasty thorns (4" long). As stated earlier, Pindo's are cold hardy. I removed two Robellin's...look great, horrible to maintain!

Ligustrums are boring and ugly. Find a smaller plant you like and put nearer your lanai that will grow under pindo palm that should be put 6-8' from your lanai.

Camellias are nice. Beautiful flowers, slow growing and many like shade. Also consider Coontie palms, Easy plant, slow grower and can grow in sun or shade. Would be perfect under a pindo palm. Remember to consider the light you have and get the right plant for the conditions or you're wasting your money.

We planted a Philodendron for a similar reason and it has done well near our lanai with a pindo a little further out.

If you want boring --do a ligustrum or bottle brush.

[retiredguy123]

IMHO, I think there are hedges that would be much more suitable for privacy, but another alternative would be shades inside your lanai, we did this several years ago and works very well (no watering or trimming required).
I agree. Install a shade and paint a palm tree on it.

[Packer Fan]

Ligustrum shrubs give you the best privacy. less expensive and less maintenance than palm trees.

Totally agree, and a good trim once a year keeps them looking good. It is easy to trim the flyers that grow towards the screen every few months or so. Way better than palms- palms will not give you privacy - you see right through them.

[SHIBUMI]

lanai shades....who does these type of shades and I assume they are water proof??? thanks

[Pickbent]

Bamboo is an invasive species and bottle brushes are a nightmare if you decide to change to a different type of foliage. A hedge is always easy and can be shaped anyway you like…..holy, etc….

Not all bamboo is invasive. I have clumping type bamboo planted now for over three years. Has not spread. We prune it to keep off our pool birdcage screen. Great for borders, privacy.

[Two Bills]

Not all bamboo is invasive. I have clumping type bamboo planted now for over three years. Has not spread. We prune it to keep off our pool birdcage screen. Great for borders, privacy.

Have had black clumping Bamboo for years in our UK garden.
Easy to maintain, and I get free Pole Bean canes every year.
Regarding the OP. I would go with villagetinker's suggestion.

[thevillagernie]

lagustrom or a evergreen hedge,but you have to prune.

[Sully2023]

My husband & I are looking to give ourselves a little privacy behind our lanai which is about 15 feet (more or less) from our neighbor’s lanai. They have shades but we are thinking along the lines of a small palm tree. We were thinking of a fan palm but landscaper suggested the 3-trunk palm tree.
Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks

I would suggest you drive around the villages and look at the landscaping. You will get some great ideas.

[Calisport]

I would suggest New Zealand red tea tree plants. Bushy and grow into small trees in a few years. Provides privacy from the bikepath even though they are only 4 feet tall and about a year old.

[kayakerlee]

My husband & I are looking to give ourselves a little privacy behind our lanai which is about 15 feet (more or less) from our neighbor’s lanai. They have shades but we are thinking along the lines of a small palm tree. We were thinking of a fan palm but landscaper suggested the 3-trunk palm tree.
Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks

You will find that The Villages has effectively used clumping Bamboo in many places to provide privacy.

[Ozzello]

FROM THE PRO:
The best choice (most desired area covered for the longest time frame at the least amount of maintenance for the least amount of money) is the 3-5 trunk Roballini. Get at least 1 trunk (or more) 4'. and make sure the tops are wida and lush. Seeing a lot of low grade Robi palms getting planted lately.

Bad choices: Ligustrum, bottlebrush, European fan palm, sugar palm, blinds. I could write a chapter on each as to why they are bad in the typical Villages back lanai privacy situation, but I have to go fix another poorly installed and designed (by a well known, professional landscaper) back yard landscape today.

If you go with shrubs, use podocarpus and push the line of shrubs away from the house towards the property line as far as ARC allows. Keep that airflow for the summer and visually enjoy as much of that expensive back yard you bought as you can.

[DAVES]

Be very leery of the 3 trunk robolini palm. They look great but do not hold up very well if a frost or freeze occurs. A very popular landscaper warned us about this but my wife insisted she wanted one. Enjoyed it one year then had to replace it due to frost and freeze damage.

People sadly make mistakes. The information is easy to find on the internet. Winters have been mild the past few years. This year killed and damaged many plants. The time you prune plants is important when you trim the plant it forces new growth that is subject to winter damage.

Mentioned by others VIBERNUM is tough as nails. Bottle brush there are many varieties. The drooping tree type is subject to wind damage. We have a bush, tree type and that too is tough as nails. There are also compact ones.