Native Plants
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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
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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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
More Shrubs Questions
Shaping cenizo in Duncanville TX
October 02, 2009 - Our Silverado Sage, which we expected to be 4' to 5' high and wide based on the label when we purchased it about 10 years ago, is nearly 7' tall and very random in shape (not the evenly rounded sha...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen shrub for screening from Austin
March 25, 2012 - Is there an evergreen, fruit shrub which grows 8 to 10 feet high, having about 6 to 8 hours of sun which could be trimmed to serve as a screen in front of pool equipment on the side of our house?
view the full question and answer
Erosion Control for a Shaded Slope in Aliquippa PA
May 07, 2014 - What plants. shrubs or trees can I plant to retard soil erosion on a steep shaded hillside in PA
view the full question and answer
Removing Texas cedar Juniperus ashei from Blanco River banks
February 26, 2014 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
Should cedar trees be removed from our Blanco River banks to prevent them from sucking too much of our precious water before it makes it into the river system?
If so, what s...
view the full question and answer
Fuzzy Citrus Fruit on Satsuma and Lemon Trees
September 13, 2014 - A man asked you about fuzzy little small fruit-like balls that looked like tiny lemons. I have huge numbers of these on both my mature Satsuma and lemon tree this year. I get 100's of really great f...
view the full question and answer
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