Tropical Shrubs That Are Good for Fences

Tropical Barrier Shrubs

• Thorny or prickly bushes make entry into a property more difficult. When the spiny or thorny part of these shrubs is readily visible, they are especially unattractive to unwanted intruders. The purpose of barrier shrubs is to impede unwanted entry while doing so in a way that neither harms the environment, any pedestrians walking by or pets or residents of the home. Excellent tropical shrubs to use for fencing include various types of agaves. These plants are ideal for hot and dry areas and thrive in sandy soil with good drainage. Agaves are characterized by their sharp, pointed, strap-like leaves that range in color from gray to green and include some variegated shades.

Heat-Loving Tropical Shrubs

• Bougainvillea pukanavwila is a beautiful, flowering shrub that is commonly used for fencing in Hawaii. B. spectabilis is the most common of the three species that are grown in Hawaii. The thorns are actually undeveloped flower axes. Pomegranate or Punica granatum is a spiny shrub that produces bright orange flowers and large edible fruits. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has spectacular, bright-colored flowers. This hibiscus variety is strictly tropical and doesn't grow outdoors in cold climates. There are cold-hardy varieties, including rose of Sharon, that add a tropical element in colder growing areas.

Other Tropical Shrubs

• Other large plants that aren't strictly shrubs are excellent choices to use for tropical fencing. Some of these plants are not well-suited to growing in colder climates because they won't tolerate long-term hard freezes. Plants that grow from rhizomes tend to form clumps, both from stems that emerge from the main bulb and from those that grow off the main rhizome. Cannas grow quickly and have distinctive foliage and colorful flowers. Brugmansia or angel's trumpet is another option. Though not strictly shrubs, these plants can grow to heights of 7 to 15 feet. Their appeal is their foot-long, highly fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. Both cannas and brugmansias die back after a killing frost but return in spring.

Cold-Hardy Tropical Palms

• Palms grow to varying sizes; and although they are most often associated with warm climates, there is at least one cold-hardy variety that can withstand sub-zero temperatures and is the world's most cold-hardy palm -- the Needle Palm or Rapidiophyllum hystrix. Palms that are hardy to low single digits include the Chinese windmill palm or Trachycarpus fortunei and the dwarf palmetto or Sabal minor. Despite potential leaf burn and defoliation from cold temperatures, both are fast to recover in spring.