Clusia hedges are a type of plant that grows naturally in Australia. They look similar to bamboo, but they’re actually a member of the lily family. The leaves of these plants are used in herbal medicine because they contain high levels of antioxidants.
Clusia hedges are becoming increasingly popular in Europe and North America. They’ve even been featured in movies such as Jurassic World and Avengers Infinity War. If you want to try growing them at home, you can get seeds from Amazon or other retailers.
The most important thing when it comes to planting your own clusia is choosing a location with good drainage. You also need to make sure that there’s enough sunlight for the plants to grow properly.
What is a Clusia Hedge?
A clusia hedge is a type of herbaceous perennial shrub that has thick, fleshy leaves. It looks like bamboo, but it belongs to the lily family. Like bamboos, clusias have hollow stems. However, unlike bamboos, clausias don’t have any woody parts.
They can be found throughout Australia and New Zealand. In fact, many people think that they look like bamboo, but they‘re really members of the lily family!
They’re often called “cluster bushes” because their foliage forms clusters around the base of the stem. This makes them easy to spot on roadsides and footpaths.
How to Plant Clusia Hedges
To start growing your own clusia, you first need to choose an appropriate site. Make sure that the area has good drainage. Also, ensure that the soil is well-drained and free of rocks.
Next, dig out some holes about 10 inches deep. Then, place two or three seeds into each hole. Cover them up with soil. Finally, water the plants regularly until they sprout.
Once the plants have grown, you should trim off all of the dead flowers and leaves. After this, you can cut back the branches so that they’re only one or two feet tall.
You should keep watering the plants every few days. When the weather starts getting hot, you might need to do this more frequently.
You can use clusia hedges to create privacy screens, fences, and windbreaks.
How to Care for Clusia Hedge
Your clusia will require regular watering if you want it to thrive. Watering should occur only when the soil feels dry. If you overwater the clusia, it could die.
In addition to regular watering, you should apply fertilizer twice a year. Fertilizer should be applied just before flowering.
It’s best to avoid applying fertilizer too close to the trunk of the clusia. Doing so can cause the branches to become brittle and break easily.
Clusia hedges are usually planted between October and March. They flower in summer. The flowers are small and white.
You can harvest the fruits when they turn brown. These fruits are edible, although they taste rather bland.
You can also eat the young leaves of the clusia as greens. They’re delicious and nutritious.
How to Trim a Clusia Hedge
If you want to maintain the health of your clusia hedge, you should prune it once a year. Pruning helps to promote new growth and prevent the plant from developing weak spots.
When you prune a clusia hedge, remove all of the old branches. You can either leave the remaining branches alone or you can thin them down.
When you’re removing branches, you should always aim to remove the weakest ones first. This way, you won’t kill the entire bush.
After you finish pruning, give the clusia a thorough cleaning. Remove all of the fallen leaves and twigs.
You can then spray the clusia with insecticide. If you notice pests, you should get rid of them immediately.
How to Propagate Clusia Hedges
You can propagate clusia by taking cuttings. To take a cutting, simply pinch off a healthy branch. Next, dip the end of the branch into rooting hormone.
Then, insert the tip of the branch into moist potting mix. Place the container in a warm location where it gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
The clusia should root within four weeks. Once the roots have formed, you can transplant the plant into individual pots.
Clusia Hedge Price
A clusia hedge costs around $20-$40 per tree depending on its size. It’s possible to find smaller varieties which cost less than $10. However, these trees aren’t as hardy.
They can grow well indoors but they don’t survive outdoors very long.
However, there are larger varieties which can withstand colder climates. These trees are capable of growing outside during winter months.
They can live for several decades. Some even reach 100 years of age!
These large varieties are often sold in nurseries and garden centers.
Pros and Cons of Clusia Hedge
Pros:
• A clusia hedge is easy to care for.
• It provides privacy and shade.
• It attracts birds and butterflies.
Cons:
• It requires a lot of maintenance.
• It needs regular watering.
• It doesn’t tolerate frost.
FAQs
How fast do Clusia hedges grow?
A clusia hedge typically grows anywhere from five to ten years. It can reach heights of 20 to 30 feet.
How far apart should you plant Clusia hedge?
You should space clusias approximately 15 to 18 inches apart.
Can you keep clusia small?
Yes, you can keep clusia small. Simply prune the plants regularly.
Is clusia toxic to dogs?
No, clusia is not toxic to dogs. However, you should never allow your dog to lick the foliage.
Conclusion
Clusia hedging is an easy way to add privacy and beauty to your yard. It’s also very cost-effective.
You don’t need any special equipment to care for clusia hedges. All you need is some basic gardening tools.
