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Friday - April 25, 2014

From: Dripping Springs, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Privacy Hedge for Dripping Springs, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson

QUESTION:

We live in Dripping Springs, TX and are looking to find a suggestion for privacy hedges that are non-toxic to dogs, drought resistant, can handle rocky soil and full sun. We prefer flowering hedges. Can you give us some advice?

ANSWER:

Your neighbors have asked quite similar questions a number of times!  Here’s a good selection of Mr Smarty Plants work that applies to your question (with lots of commentary and advice):

Landscaping plans in Kyle TX   [also concerned about toxicity to dogs]

Privacy screen for Canyon Lake, TX  

Natural privacy hedge for Kyle Texas  

A Bounty of Edibles for New Braunfels Texas  [supporting birds, bees, butterflies]

Patio Privacy Screen Suggestions for Central Texas 

Need small, fast growing trees for privacy screen in Buda, TX.  

Reviewing these; the following shrubs/trees are suggested:

Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas cenizo)   [Flowering]
Morella cerifera (wax myrtle)  [berries & flowers]
Rhus virens (evergreen sumac)  [flowers]
Ilex vomitoria (yaupon)  [berries]
Sophora secundiflora (mountain laurel)  [flowers]
 Garrya ovata ssp. lindheimeri (Lindheimer's silktassel)
Juniperus ashei (Ashe's juniper or cedar)   maybe not so recommended!

 

From the Image Gallery


Cenizo
Leucophyllum frutescens

Wax myrtle
Morella cerifera

Evergreen sumac
Rhus virens

Yaupon
Ilex vomitoria

Texas mountain laurel
Sophora secundiflora

Lindheimer's silktassel
Garrya ovata ssp. lindheimeri

Ashe juniper
Juniperus ashei

More Privacy Screening Questions

Hiding a chicken house from Glen Rose TX
February 06, 2013 - To hide a chicken house, which do you recommend, crape myrtles or chinese photinias?
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Shrubs with fragrant flowers for screening in NY
October 27, 2010 - I'm trying to find a bush or shrub to screen my backyard and block noise. I want something I can plant along the fence that would get between 6 and 8 ft tall. Something neat, and if possible with fra...
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Privacy screen in Idaho
February 15, 2010 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants, I need to add privacy to a chain link fence. The fence is shaded by large trees.They add shade from up high but little privacy at fence level.What would you recommend I plant...
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Puppy-friendly privacy screen in Montana
November 02, 2012 - I need some puppy-friendly short(< 30') privacy from the gigantic windows of my next door neighbor. But- there are power lines above the area that I needed to plant! I had planned on an aspen grove, ...
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Shrub to screen backyard and block noise
March 14, 2009 - I'm trying to find a shrub to screen my backyard and block noise. I want something I can plant along the 60ft of my back fence that would get between 8 and 10 ft tall. I would like something that att...
view the full question and answer

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