Q: I'm taking out my ficus hedge because the roots are causing damage to my water pipes. What should I replace it with that is low maintenance?

A.H., Fort Lauderdale

A: You have many choices. The native plants green or silver buttonwoods, black torch (Erithalis fruticosa), cocoplum, firebush (Hamelia patens), marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides), myrsine (Myrsine quianensis), seagrape and stoppers (Eugenia spp.) all make good choices for South Florida.

These are slower growing than ficus but pruning requirements are also much less. Many natives also provide fruit for wildlife.

For a more complete listing of non-native and native shrubs to use as hedges, visit the University of Florida/

IFAS Miami-Dade County Extension website http://miami-dade.

ifas.ufl.edu/Pubs_LnG2.shtml.

Adrian Hunsberger is an entomologist/horticulturist with the UF/IFAS Miami-Dade Extension office. Write to Plant Clinic, 18710 SW 288th St., Homestead, FL 33030 or e-mail aghu@ifas.ufl.edu.

To send plant samples, wrap them in paper in a padded envelope or box; no plastic bags.

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