You will enjoy them. When the pea pods ripen, and turn brown, they will explode in a spiral motion. Plants have spines to so be careful. I made hedges out of mine by letting then grow a foot each season and cutting the tops off. They get thicker and thicker that way.
They are what I consider to be a pioneering species. So they are really hardy/tough. They add nitrogen to the soil and drop leaves and pods to add mulch. So they will actually help other plants grow. They love full sun, but can also be grown under taller , established, trees. As long as they are not in full shade all day.
How tall did you make the hedge. Im very enticed by this plant because it is food producing and has mature heights that are much higher than fences you are allowed to build.
I would likely plant it in front of a chain link fence, keep a bit of space and let it get as high as I can reach with an A-frame ladder.
Also how thin can i make the hedge to make it impossible to see through when it has the leaves?
My hedge was about 7 ft but I could have stopped trimming it and it would have gotten twice that. I planted in two rows. about two ft apart. kind of zigzagging the spacing to fill in so that it would be good and thick when it matured. That is why I trimmed it after each season, from the first year, to be sure it put out lots of branches when it was still small. If you just let it grow it will get full at the top and thick 3/4 inch to 1 inch trunks at the bottom.
You will enjoy them. When the pea pods ripen, and turn brown, they will explode in a spiral motion. Plants have spines to so be careful. I made hedges out of mine by letting then grow a foot each season and cutting the tops off. They get thicker and thicker that way.
Thanks for the info. Do they need much sun?
They are what I consider to be a pioneering species. So they are really hardy/tough. They add nitrogen to the soil and drop leaves and pods to add mulch. So they will actually help other plants grow. They love full sun, but can also be grown under taller , established, trees. As long as they are not in full shade all day.
Thanks again. Great info
How tall did you make the hedge. Im very enticed by this plant because it is food producing and has mature heights that are much higher than fences you are allowed to build.
I would likely plant it in front of a chain link fence, keep a bit of space and let it get as high as I can reach with an A-frame ladder.
Also how thin can i make the hedge to make it impossible to see through when it has the leaves?
My hedge was about 7 ft but I could have stopped trimming it and it would have gotten twice that. I planted in two rows. about two ft apart. kind of zigzagging the spacing to fill in so that it would be good and thick when it matured. That is why I trimmed it after each season, from the first year, to be sure it put out lots of branches when it was still small. If you just let it grow it will get full at the top and thick 3/4 inch to 1 inch trunks at the bottom.