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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - March 31, 2010
From: Salado, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Transplants, Privacy Screening
Title: Evergreen screen for newly constructed metal building
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Neighbor built a 12' tall metal building right by my gate. I want to screen it with fast-growing evergreen natives. I have lots of ashe juniper on my property, but none where I need it now! Can AJ be transplanted? How? Or what other solution? Waxmyrtle? EG Sumac? Help! Thanks!ANSWER:
With most people struggling to get rid of (or at least keep in check) Juniperus ashei (Ashe's juniper) you would think it would be easy to transplant. It isn't—at least not as a reasonably large-sized shrub. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to transplant. You might get away with transplanting some very small plants if you carefully get all the roots; but, you can pretty well write off transplanting larger ones. You might do well with nursery trees that were grown in containers, however. You can check our National Suppliers Directory for nurseries in your area that might carry junipers. Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) also grows in the area and isn't considered as invasive as Ashe's juniper and more likely to be found in a nursery setting.
Both Rhus virens (evergreen sumac) and Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) are good choices. There are dwarf cultivars of wax myrtle so check carefully when you buy. Here are some other evergreen possibilities:
Garrya ovata ssp. lindheimeri (Lindheimer's silktassel) and here is more information
Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry)
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush)
You might also consider putting up a latticework or wire fence and growing evergreen vines on it, such as:
Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle)
Gelsemium sempervirens (evening trumpetflower)
Bignonia capreolata (crossvine)
All of the plants above have rapid to moderate growth.
You can find many of these plants for sale (no junipers, however) at our Spring Plant Sale.
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Transplants Questions
Transplanting and Pruning Callicarpa
August 21, 2014 - I saw the previous question about Callicarpa from the guy in Texas and I have two questions based on the response. In SW Vermont, is late fall still the best time to transplant my Callicarpas? Also, i...
view the full question and answer
Southern Woodferns in TX
May 06, 2010 - I have recently bought some 3 gallon southern woodferns, and have planted them in the shade in a low spot with clay soil. It seems to be a good location for the ferns, but a week or two after transpla...
view the full question and answer
Problems with transplanting cenizo in Weatherford TX
September 29, 2009 - I tried to transplant a Silverado Sage into a large pot but within 1 day it started wilting. Could it be the soil? I used potting soil not soil from the ground which is a sandy soil.
view the full question and answer
Buffaloberry from Grandma
June 25, 2008 - I have a "BUFFALO BERRY" that my Grandma brought back from South Dakota.It is approx.8yrs.old.All was well until this spring.It was budding out when we had a very hard freeze and got 3" of snow.Now...
view the full question and answer
Growing Sophora gypsophila from seed
April 23, 2008 - Sophora gypsophila B.L. Turner & Powell
Do you have any information on growing this small tree from seed? I have a few seeds and would like to try. What conditions break seed dormancy? I have grown ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |