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

Saturday - May 22, 2010

From: Coppell, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Native shrub for hedge in Dallas County, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Looking for something to plant as hedge around yard for privacy. Prefer not to have to trim and like natural look, not over 8-9 ft. in full sun. Year round privacy for pool needed.

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants assumes you want an evergreen hedge so here are some recommendations for such shrubs in your size range that are native to your area and do well in full sun:

Mahonia swaseyi (Texas barberry) grows 3 to 4 feet high

Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita) grows 3 to 6 feet high

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) grows 6 to 12 feet, but can be pruned to maintain desired height

Leucophyllum frutescens (cenizo) grows 2 to 5 feet high

Rhus virens (evergreen sumac) grows 8 to 12 feet high and can be pruned to maintain size

If you want to see more choices for shrubs that wouldn't be evergreen, visit our Texas-North Central Recommended page. You can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option and choose 'Shrub' from the GENERAL APPEARANCE category to limit the list to shrubs.


Mahonia swaseyi

Mahonia trifoliolata

Morella cerifera

Leucophyllum frutescens

Rhus virens

 


 

More Shrubs Questions

Small evergreen shrubs for Fairfax VA
May 13, 2010 - I have a 2' wide 6' long strip between a brick wall and the front walk leading up to the entry way. Lavender has been a pain and I would like to replace it with an attractive evergreen alternate. ...
view the full question and answer

Plants for Georgetown with shade in the AM and sun in the PM
September 30, 2015 - Hi, I live in Georgetown and I would like a recommendation for plants (shrubs and flowering perennials) that can handle deep shade until 1 or 2 pm and then have full sun blasting them til sun down. T...
view the full question and answer

Need plants beneficial or attractive to bees in Dripping Springs, TX
January 27, 2014 - Can you provide a specific list of plants beneficial or attractive to honey bees in the Texas Hill Country (we raise bees in Dripping Springs, TX.) Thanks.
view the full question and answer

Native grasses and shrubs for Houston project
November 21, 2008 - I am working on a project in Houston. As part of the sustainable approach of the project, I would like to plant native / adaptive, non-invasive grasses and shrubs. It is key that they use little wat...
view the full question and answer

Replacement for waxleaf privet
December 15, 2014 - i just removed some waxleaf privet due to reading about the invasive and allergy problem to it. Is indian hawthorn blueberry muffin any better? what shrub do you recommend? I want it to grow about 6-1...
view the full question and answer

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