Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - October 07, 2009

From: Friendswood, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Privacy screen by pool in Friendswood, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

We just moved into a new home with a pool in the backyard. We are trying to figure out what to plant along the back fence to allow for a bit of privacy; we have no direct backyard neighbors but there is a walking trail directly behind our home. We live in Friendswood so I know it's zone 9. We are looking for something that grows 6-9 feet fairly quickly, that's pretty but doesn't have a lot of flowers that will fall into the pool. The fence is about 10 feet from the pool. I was thinking of possibly Juniper of some type or hibicus???

ANSWER:

You need an evergreen, fairly dense shrub. Fast-growing we can't guarantee and, in fact, don't recommend. Woody plants like trees and shrubs that grow too fast can have weak wood,  break down easily and are short-lived.

Your suggestion of a hibiscus probably wouldn't work very well. They are all deciduous, and grow to only 3 to 4 ft., which means you would have thin coverage with big flowers that would be heading for your pool in the Summer, and just bare branches in the Winter. Moreover, none of the hibiscus native to Texas seem to be native to your area in Galveston and Harris County, so they might not be compatible with your soils and climate. Juniperus ashei (Ashe's juniper) will apparently grow in your area, but most people in Austin would tell you not to consider it. For one thing, it can grow out to be pretty wide, and 30 ft. tall. These trees, commonly called "cedars" in Central Texas, are about the most allergenic  plant around. The female bears the "cones" and the male the pollen, which turns the plant and everything around it yellow in the winter, causing much misery in anyone allergic to it, which seems to be everybody. And that yellow pollen wouldn't be too attractive on your pool area.

So let us suggest three possibilities for your pool privacy screen. All are evergreen, two have small, fairly inconspicuous flowers, and one flowers when there has been rainfall, year round. Follow the links to the page on each individual plant to learn more about its growing conditions.

Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush) - compact, 5 to 8 ft. tall, blooms purple and pink January through December, low water use, sun or part shade

Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) - can grow 12 to 25 ft. tall, but is easily pruned, blooms white April and May, small flowers, low water use, part shade

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) - 6 to 12 ft., multi-trunked, blooms green in March and April, high water use, sun or part shade

From our Native Plant Database:


Leucophyllum frutescens

Ilex vomitoria

Morella cerifera

 

 

 

 

More Privacy Screening Questions

Need plant suggestions for a 700' long privacy screen in Wimberley, TX.
May 27, 2011 - I live in Wimberley. Tx Dot has ruined 700' of my side yard's (& back yard's) privacy by clearing all the plants/trees that had grown up in their right of way adjacent to our property. They're als...
view the full question and answer

Tall native grasses for privacy in Central Texas
June 29, 2013 - Hi- I am looking for a grass that will grow tall and be thick for privacy. I live here in Austin east of 35. Obviously something draught tolerant would be great! Thank you!
view the full question and answer

Privacy Trees for Pleasanton, CA
April 30, 2014 - I was looking for some fast growing trees for my backyard that backs up to Valley Ave in Pleasanton, Ca. The city just cut down 4 Redwoods behind me and there is so much noise from the traffic now Ca...
view the full question and answer

Need a fast growing shrub to quickly create a 6' privacy screen in Magnolia, TX.
February 28, 2011 - Can you please recommend a fast-growing shrub to quickly create a 6' plus-tall privacy screen in an area with mottled shade along a north/south oriented wrought-iron fence? This is under a canopy of...
view the full question and answer

Draought-tolerant screening shrub for Shasta County, California
July 08, 2015 - It has been suggested to me that I plant phodocarpus 'maki' along my fence for needed privacy due to it's dimensions. I need something that does not grow too wide. I would not be pruning them as I ...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.