The genus Ficus check hundreds of tropical Tree , shrubs and vine that fill interior plant - scapes across the United States . out of doors , genus Ficus is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11 — in southerly Florida , southern California and some parts of New Mexico and Arizona . weep common fig tree ( ficus benjamina ) , the popular choice for hedges in south Florida , is treated as a pain rather than a welcome guest .

Features

In semi - tropical Florida and Southern California , ficus hedge succeed easily ; new planted ficus require moist , rich soil and enough H2O to constitute roots . They grow vigorously with little further tutelage . Larger potpourri make impressive screens and attractive architectural forms on estate and properties where there is heap of space for their roots to spread unimpeded by pavement and other structure .

History

Few ficus varieties are native to southerly U.S. rise zones ; Florida developers planted tight - mature , shrubby Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the 1970s as inexpensive landscape gardening to take the post of failing coconut palm palms that an early generation of developers had planted in the 1930s . tears figs branched prolifically when lop . Unfortunately , weeping figs also grew to heights over 20 feet and developed all-embracing , destructive root systems that charge up pavement and drain tiles . As a result , several figs are now keep in line . Ficus carica , edible Libyan Islamic Fighting Group , is listed as an trespassing plant in California , as is Florida ’s native Ficus aurea . Florida prohibits set Ficus microcarpa , or Indian laurel .

Care

Ficus hedging require crisp shears and flock of spare time to keep trim . Tender green growth must be repeatedly pruned before it ripens . Ficus plant as a property screen requires cooperative neighbors , because the possessor of the hedgerow is hold to on a regular basis plod next doorway to straighten out up the neighbor ’s side .

Considerations

state of matter raw - resourcefulness departments , municipality and homeowners ' association often require or recommend replacing older , labour - intensive ficus hedges . This often involves removing not only the plant and multiple stumps but also the wide , lively ascendent organization . Several ficus diversity , including Ficus microcarpa var . crassifolia Green Mound and Green Island and Ficus salicaria C.C. Berg , are minor enough to expend for ground cover and gloomy hedgerow . often , alternative plantings , such as native wild coffee or Florida privet , exchange genus Ficus .

Warning

Ficus hedge have several pest include mealybugs and scales . The most late addition to the list is the ficus whitefly ( Singhiella simplex ) which develop in Latin America and enrol the U.S. through South Florida . The genus Ficus whitefly feeds on leafage and can defoliate branches if left unchecked . Because the life cycle of the louse is one month , several generations can severely damage a plant before they become detectable . Several natural predators — lacewings , bloodsucking wasps and beetles — can control small populations . Soil drenches check nenonicotinoid compounds provide the most efficient chemical control , accord to Catharine Mannion of the University of Florida ’s Tropical Research and Education Center .

References

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