Native Plants
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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| Need trees to screen view of parking garage in Houston, TX. December 29, 2011 We live in Houston, TX with a beautiful lot except a 4 story parking garage has been built behind us. How can we screen this and the lights out of site. It looks terrible from the second story espec... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast-growing non-invasive shrub for privacy fence in Sugar Land TX December 06, 2011 I live in South Texas in Sugar Land. I was going to plant oleanders in my backyard along the fence as a privacy hedge, about 20 feet from my house. However, I was told they were a bad choice becaus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen Vine for San Antonio Trellis November 23, 2011 I have a new trellis at the end of my patio on which I want to grow an evergreen vine. The area is fairly shady. I had settled on Carolina Jasmine, but read that it is very toxic which is worrisome ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Additional screening under yaupons in Georgetown TX November 09, 2011 We live on a corner and have a berm along the south side of our yard which blocks our backyard from the street. It was planted with uprights yaupons. With the drought, deer have eaten the bottom por... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees with non-invasive roots or tops in Newhall CA November 07, 2011 We would like to plant a tree with noninvasive roots near our garden wall and concrete driveway in a grassy area in the front yard facing west. This spot is very sunny in the afternoon with automatic ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrubs that non-toxic to horses but that they won't eat October 29, 2011 I am looking for a low maintenance, low water, green shrub that horses won't eat and will not be toxic to them. I want to hide my neighbors corral and keep down dust on my side. The horses have "l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need suggestions for a privacy screen besides Murray Cypress. October 18, 2011 Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in NE TX, about an hour east of Dallas on I-20. I hear interstate traffic behind my house, and have a busy street on its left side, and a school adjoining in back. I thi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen privacy hedge resistant to verticillium wilt September 27, 2011 I am looking for an evergreen, fast-growing privacy hedge (over 6') that is resistant to verticillium wilt and has low water requirements. I live in Monrovia, CA and have to replace hopseed bushes w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need suggestions for plants for a privacy screen for a pecan orchard in Chappell Hill, TX. September 21, 2011 Mr. Smarty Plants, My family has just begun converting our land in Chappell Hill, TX (Washington County) into a pecan orchard. We had to clear a lot of the overgrowth around the edge of the proper... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eight Foot Screen for Austin, TX September 01, 2011 I'm looking for a fast-growing shrub to "extend" the height of my fence and provide privacy in my yard in Austin. My lot is pretty much full sun and very dry, mostly clay soil. 8' is my goal. Than... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tall screening tree for Santa Barbara, California August 20, 2011 Hi, we live in Santa Barbara, California. We are looking for a tree between 20-30 feet high to block the neighbors two-story house yet the area we have to plant is 3 feet from the fence to the drivewa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need suggestions for plants for a privacy screen in Long Beach, NY. August 10, 2011 I have recently added 1500sq.ft. to my backyard. My backyard faces a busy road. I would like to place native trees and bushes along the fence for added privacy, shade and to protect my house from the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need a shrub to conceal a privacy fence in Knightdale, NC. August 03, 2011 Could you recommend a medium-sized shrub/bush (max height of 6-7 feet) to plant along a privacy fence (purpose is to conceal the fence from the street view per HOA)? I live in Zone 8. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Impenetrable privacy hedge in Wimberly, TX. July 26, 2011 I live near Wimberly, TX. I'd like to grow an impenetrable privacy hedge about 200' long and at least 10' tall and 10' deep (or more) using native plants. I'd like it to be evergreen, drought t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Alternate native plants for bamboo as a privacy screen in Austin, TX. July 26, 2011 Can you recommend a bamboo that I can plant, acting as a privacy screen, reaching at least 10'-12'? We are looking for a bamboo that does not spread, and can take the afternoon sun. It will be pla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Windbreak for Eastern Kansas July 17, 2011 I need to plant a fast growing windbreak near my lateral lines for a septic tank. We obviously can't have anything that would interfere with the laterals but I desperately need a North wind break. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrubs for privacy in wet area in Ohio July 13, 2011 I am looking for flowering shrubs for Ohio that reach 8-10 feet and can handle wet feet. I am trying to avoid building a wall for privacy and would like to use flowering shrubs instead. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need suggestions for cold resistant, hardy hedge plant in Jonathan, NC. June 28, 2011 I'm looking for a Full sun, cold resistant, hardy, non-invasive plant to be used for a property line hedge for North Carolina. Preferably NOT slow growing. What can you suggest? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need suggestions for plants for a privacy screen in Arlington, VA. June 22, 2011 I am looking for a tall-growing tree/shrub to act as a privacy screen with neighbors on two existing borders, including, e.g., blocking out the neighbors tall swing set gym, deck, and other activity, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy hedge that can be trimmed June 06, 2011 Please help us find a screening plant or tree (preferably native and evergreen with flowering and/or berries) which is non-invasive, not a vine, at least six feet tall if not taller, which can be easi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need native plants for wind block and screening along a fence row in Commerce, TX June 04, 2011 I'm looking for a small tree or lg shrub for wind block & screening along a fence row. The soil is black clay with a mostly full sun exposure. Landscaper suggested Elaeagnus but I want a nat... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy Screen options for Seymour CT June 03, 2011 Hi Mr. Smarty Pants: Looking for a quick growing privacy hedge for a home in Seymour CT. Thank you very much, I appreciate your help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreens for privacy screen in WI May 29, 2011 We'd like to add privacy to our backyard with evergreen trees. The problem with this area is it very wet and the ground is soft and mushy until the dry summer conditions. We've rocklined the the a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A nice-looking, fast-growing privacy hedge for Oregon May 27, 2011 Would you please suggest a fast growing option to create a privacy hedge? I need to get my husband off the boxwoods he is touting.. The ideal solution would grow to 8 feet high, look interesting all y... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need plant suggestions for a 700' long privacy screen in Wimberley, TX. May 27, 2011 I live in Wimberley. Tx Dot has ruined 700' of my side yard's (& back yard's) privacy by clearing all the plants/trees that had grown up in their right of way adjacent to our property. They're als... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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