Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Sunday - March 23, 2008
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Native shrub for north window in Austin, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Hello. I am trying to find a native shrub to provide privacy next to a low north-facing window and protection from northerly winds in the winter. I would like to find a shrub with a maximum height of 6 ft., evergreen or nearly evergreen, and native to either the Blackland Prairie or Edwards Plateau, or both. Thanks!ANSWER:
We found some that are native at least to the Austin area and the Edwards Plateau, but not necessarily native to the Blackland Prairie. There were not many to choose from, as you wanted privacy and shelter, which called for evergreen bushes. The last two are distributed naturally in Texas, and make excellent screening shrubs. Follow the plant links to webpages with growing conditions, etc. They are all chosen because they will tolerate part shade, since they will be planted on the north side of the house.
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush)
Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel) - remember, this has toxic seeds
Larrea tridentata (creosote bush) - this emits toxins which keeps anything from growing under it
Malpighia glabra (wild crapemyrtle)
More Shrubs Questions
Questions about care and pruning of Mexican Plum and Mountain Laurel in Austin, TX.
January 24, 2012 - I have a couple of questions regarding tree care and pruning.
I have a Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana), about 10 years old or so. I would like to prune it. Is it ok to prune now in late wi...
view the full question and answer
Plants for wet soils in North Carolina
October 03, 2009 - I'm looking for evergreen plants (shrubs or ground cover)that will tolerate wet conditions for the zone 8 area of North Carolina. The local garden centers here do not stock these types of plants, eve...
view the full question and answer
Possibility of invasiveness of blackberry bush
March 27, 2008 - I bought a blackberry bush from Home Depot last year. My sister said if I planted it in the ground it would take over my lawn. So I put it in a big planter up against my fence, but I'd like to put it...
view the full question and answer
What's attacking my Nellie Stevens Holly plants in Iredell, TX?
June 27, 2011 - I just bought 10 Nellie R. Stevens holly bushes and planted them as a screen. The leaves on some of the plants are at least half white - not yellow but white. Apparently they were like that when I b...
view the full question and answer
Plants for southwest Louisiana courtyard
December 29, 2009 - Hi,
I live in southwest Louisiana,very close to Texas. I would like to remove the grass in my townhome backyard (east sun exposure) and create a courtyard by adding pavers. However I am planning on...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
