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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.

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Saturday - October 06, 2007

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Trees for a privacy barrier
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

What would you suggest to plant for a privacy barrier along a back fence in Austin Texas? They need to be hardy and atleast 10 to 12 feet tall to block my neighbor's second story view of my yard.

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants has these recommendations:

EVERGREENS

Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) 12-25 feet

Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel) from a few feet to 30 feet

Rhus virens (evergreen sumac) 8-12 feet

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) 6-20 feet

Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry) 15-20 feet

Garrya ovata ssp. lindheimeri (Lindheimer's silktassel) 6-12 feet


DECIDIOUS

Ilex decidua (possumhaw) 15-30 feet

Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood) up to 16 feet

Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn) 12-20 feet


Ilex vomitoria

Sophora secundiflora

Rhus virens

Morella cerifera

Prunus caroliniana

Garrya ovata ssp. lindheimeri

Ilex decidua

Cornus drummondii

Frangula caroliniana

 

 

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