Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
rate this answer
Wednesday - July 06, 2016
From: Koloa, HI
Region: Hawaii
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Shrubs for Privacy Fence in Hawaii
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I live in Hawaii and need to create some privacy along a wall of my house. The septic drain field is 5' away and I am looking for 6'-8' shrubs that have shallow roots. Would something like cordyline fruticosa, crotons or areca palms work? Anything you suggest? Planters?ANSWER:
Greetings and sorry for the delay in replying to your question. There are three native shrubs in our Native Plant Database for Hawaii that perhaps might fit your requirements for a privacy hedge. The plants you mentioned (Crodyline fruticosa, crotons and areca palms) are not natives and so they aren't in our www.wildflower.org database.
The three that we can suggest you investigate are:
Mexican primrose willow (Ludwigia octovalvis)
Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle) (May require pruning to keep it at the desired height)
Florida hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa)
Planters certainly will solve the issue of plant roots invading the septic bed. Go for it!
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Cuttings from beautyberry from Stockport OH
May 22, 2014 - My beauty berry is starting a new growth about 2ft from main plant, can I dig this and part of the root without hurting the main part, if so, when?
view the full question and answer
Fast-growing privacy shrub for Northern California home
January 22, 2014 - We have purchased a home in Anderson CA. We want a privacy shrub along the roadside of our home to reduce noise. 60'x 25' of full sun with rocky soil and many Oak trees.We want something that will ...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen shrubs native to North Georgia
March 26, 2007 - I am looking for native plants (shrubs) that will stay green during the winter in North Georgia. We are completing a xeriscape landscape plan as a demonstration site and have many native plants donate...
view the full question and answer
Trees & shrubs, low water, no maintenance, disease & pest resistant
May 04, 2013 - We need few Trees and shrubs to meet the following needs:
- Low Water or best with a taproot for Ground Water
- Clay Soil in Steep Slopes (25-40 degrees)
- Low or No Maintenance. (hillside, no trim...
view the full question and answer
When (and whether) to plant non-native red-tip photinia in Austin
October 30, 2011 - With the current and forecast drought I'm wondering if the usual rules about when to plant might change. I'd like to plant red-tip photinia.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |